Georgia Tech did nothing fancy against Miami, but the Jackets never really do anything fancy. They keep pounding and pounding, daring defenses to come up with a stop.

That is both the beauty and the ugliness of the triple option. When Georgia Tech is rolling, its offense looks like an unstoppable machine. When Georgia Tech is struggling, its offense looks like it needs to head back home to the Dark Ages.

Do you know how many people complained in the offseason about the offense? So many, that folks in Atlanta wondered whether Paul Johnson should be on the hot seat after dismal results over the past few seasons.

Zach Laskey and Georgia Tech kept possession for over 40 minutes against Miami in moving to 5-0. AP Photo/David Goldman

Wonder where all the doubters are today? Because that offense looked pretty close to perfect Saturday night. Georgia Tech had its way with the Canes this past Saturday because it controlled the clock and it controlled third down, meaning it ultimately controlled the scoreboard.

The Jackets delivered a definitive 28-17 victory, breaking a five-game losing streak to Miami while moving to 5-0 for the first time since 2011. On Sunday, Georgia Tech moved into the AP Top 25 at No. 22, its first Top 25 ranking in three years.

Let this sink in for a minute: Georgia Tech is one of 10 unbeaten teams remaining, joining ACC front-runner Florida State.

Bravo, Jackets. You are, indeed, for real.

What unfolded in Atlanta over the weekend proved that. Paul Johnson completely outcoached Al Golden, so much so that Golden admitted afterward that the Jackets won on offense, defense and special teams. He was not delivering some tired coach speak, either.

Not only did Georgia Tech dominate on offense, its defense came up with two critical turnovers deep in its own territory. Its special teams perfectly executed a fake punt late in the second quarter that did not lead to any points, but helped Georgia Tech eat up most of the clock before halftime.

And that was really the only way Georgia Tech would be able to beat Miami. Over its five-game losing streak, the Jackets had a hard time slowing down the speed on the Miami offense. Indeed, the Canes were able to average 8 yards per play Saturday. But it’s awfully hard to win with 44 total plays, two turnovers and 19:15 in time of possession.

So now we get to kick the tires on Georgia Tech as a Coastal favorite. I admit I was skeptical about this team headed into the season, based mostly on questions I had about the defense -- specifically the defensive front.

My skepticism grew as I watched various breakdowns in the early going, including a near-loss to Georgia Southern. There is a reason Georgia Tech is the lowest ranked undefeated Power 5 team, and it does not have much to do with getting no respect to start the season.

Georgia Tech had to earn that respect with a complete game. It did that this past weekend. Though in retrospect, Georgia Tech is generally in the Coastal mix, so counting the Jackets out seems a foolhardy plan. While the defense has perfected bend-but-don’t-break, this group would best be described as plucky and opportunistic. Creating turnovers is not luck. It is in film study, as Jamal Golden told reporters this past Saturday.

If the Georgia Tech offense can continue to play at a high level, it may not matter how many yards the defense gives up. Because all the Jackets have to do is continue to rush for 300 yards, convert on third down, take care of the football and own time of possession to give themselves a chance to get back to the ACC championship game.

They are on a solid pace in nearly all categories. Georgia Tech averages a smidge under 300 yards rushing per game (297.2); ranks No. 1 in the nation in third-down conversions (58.1 percent); No. 4 in the nation in turnovers lost (four); and No. 14 in the nation in time of possession (average 33 minutes).

The next four-game stretch provides an opportunity for the Jackets to really establish themselves as the division front-runner. On Saturday, they face Duke, a team they have beaten 10 straight and 18 of the past 19. Then comes North Carolina, a team it has beaten in eight of the past nine meetings.

Then comes Pitt, which has given up 394 yards rushing in the past two games.

That leads to Virginia on Nov. 1, a game that could have major division implications. Not really a prediction anybody made when the season started. Then again, not many envisioned an unbeaten Georgia Tech riding high in October.