CFB Football Previews – Miami Hurricanes vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Miami versus Virginia Tech this weekend feels like a must-win for both teams. The Hurricanes want to show they can still contend for the ACC title; Virginia Tech can’t lose another game if it wants to fancy itself as part of the national title discussion at all. Can the Hokies bounce back after betting seriously exposed by Clemson last week?
NCAAF Week 6: Miami vs Virginia Tech
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Venue: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Broadcast: ABC/ESPN
Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Lines from BetUS.com
Money Line: Miami +240, Virginia Tech -290
Spread: Virginia Tech -7
Over/Under: 45
Miami Hurricanes (2-2)
Week 6’s tilt at Virginia Tech could be a season-defining game for Miami. We really don’t know who the Hurricanes are yet. The team that lost to Maryland in Week 1 was riddled with suspensions and didn’t have starting quarterback Jacory Harris. The Loss to Kansas State at home felt odd but that Kansas City team hasn’t lost yet. The Hurricanes looked convincing in a Week-2 beating of Ohio State and a romp over Bethune Cookman last week.
Offensively, Miami hasn’t hit its stride yet, but Al Golden’s group has shown some encouraging signs. Harris has completed 69 per cent of his passes; running back Lamar Miller is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and looks positively explosive.
Defensively, Miami’s run defense has been atrocious, allowing 200-plus yards per game, but the pass defense looks as strong as ever.
(21) Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1)
It doesn’t get much more humbling than what Virginia Tech went through last week. I’m patting myself on the back for calling that wakeup call loss to Clemson at home.
Virginia Tech’s schedule was way too puffy over its first four games. We really didn’t learn anything about the Hokies. To me, last week’s 23-3 drubbing was a much more important measuring stick. Virginia Tech’s defense wasn’t too bad but it couldn’t move the ball on offense. Logan Thomas showed that he still has a lot of growing to do, throwing for just 125 yards on 15 completions with a pick and no scores. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
David Wilson continued to impress at tailback but running the ball didn’t work very well with Virginia Tech playing catchup last week. The Hokies may rethink their strategy and air it out more if they’re trailing.
The pick:
Unfortunately for Thomas and Virginia Tech, throwing the ball more will play into Miami’s hands. The Hurricanes an athletic team, more talented than the 2-2 record indicates, and their speed could give Thomas major problems. Harris and Miller probably won’t go off against a solid Virginia Tech defense but could give them different looks with their athleticism.
Why trust Virginia Tech? It flopped horribly in its first real test. Make the Hokies earn back your trust. At the very least, I think the more battle-tested Miami can keep this game within a touchdown and cover. I’ll take it a step further and predict an outright win.
Miami vs Virginia Tech prediction: Miami 24, Virginia Tech 21
Money Line: Miami +240
Spread: Miami +7
Over/Under: UNDER 50
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