Mario Cristobal: Miami offense needs to be 'in sync' during second half vs Georgia Tech

No. 4 Miami‘s offense stalled after its first possession in the first half, trailing Georgia Tech 14-10 at the break.

Defensively, the ‘Canes have no answer for the run game. Allowing 189 rushing yards in two quarters and being forced to stay on the field for a 10-minute drive defensively, the Miami offense hasn’t had time to be able to answer for the ground-and-pound approach the Yellow Jackets have taken this week.

Miami will receive the second-half kickoff, meaning the ‘Canes can get after it right away in the find two quarters. Before heading into the locker room, ESPN’s Kris Budden asked head coach Mario Cristobal what Cam Ward and the Miami offense has to do to get going in the second half.

“Execute routine plays,” Cristobal said. “In the throw and catch we had a couple drops in critical situations. We protected fairly well but we got to get in sync. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Ward went 9 of 18 for 133 yards and a touchdown during the first two quarters. Most of that came on one play, as Ward found an open Elijah Arroyo downfield for a 74-yard touchdown connection.

Running back Damien Martinez took 11 carries for 69 yards as well, but the offense was held scoreless in the second quarter and eventually would trail at halftime.

If Miami is unable to come back, there would be a massive fallout, not only in the ACC standings but the entire College Football Playoff race. While Miami’s undefeated and ranked No. 4 — they suffer from not having a single win over a ranked team this season. They won’t play another ranked team until they play in the ACC Championship game, which isn’t guaranteed at this point in the season.

Regardless, the second half is shaping up to see an exciting finish to this key ACC matchup. Fans can watch the final two quarters live on ESPN and the ESPN app.