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Virginia Tech vs. Miami Fla
Betting Line: Virginia Tech -2.5 o/u 50
11/20/10
The Miami Hurricanes are all but eliminated from winning the Coastal division of the ACC. They stand at 5-2 compared to Virginia Tech’s 7-0 record. If they can take down Virginia Tech at home, and somehow or someway Virginia is able to beat Virginia Tech the following week, they would earn the right to play for the ACC Title. However unlikely that is, it should give Randy Shannon’s ‘Canes the motivation they need to come out and play their best football. Don’t expect the Hokies to give the Game away though. They registered an easier than expected 26-10 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels last week. It’s clear they have their eyes on the prize. Let’s take a look at how these ACC heavyweights stack up!
Early wagering favors the Hokies 58% to 42% for the Hurricanes. The Hokies are a 2 ½ point favorite. They are 7-2 ATS this year and are on a 7 Game winning streak both SU and ATS. The Hurricanes are 4-5 ATS. Virginia Tech routed the Hurricanes 31-7 last year. Miami will look to turn the tables as the home team this year.
The Virginia Tech offense has been strong all year at 35 PPG, but they will get even better as RB Ryan Williams progresses. The Sophomore RB missed 4 Games due to injury. His first Game with more than 10 caries since the injury was last week. He didn’t disappoint, carrying the rock 15 times for 83 years. The young man has the potential to be a prolific runner. If the injury he sustained earlier this year doesn’t linger we can expect to see him do big things. Throw in junior Darren Evans who has 9 TDs, and the Hokies can run the ball on ANYONE.
Williams isn’t the only bright spot of this offense. Senior QB Tyrod Taylor is as seasoned of a veteran as you will find in the FBS. He won the Orange Bowl in 2008, and has only improved since then. He was pivotal in last weeks win as he passed for 249 yards and 2 TDs. He’s really turned it on in the last 5 Games in which he owns 10 TDs and only a single INT. Virginia Tech won’t lose many Games when Taylor, Williams, and Evans play well, and the defense does its job.
Virginia Tech may be good, but they don’t call Miami “The U” for nothing. They enter this Game with an overall record of 7-3. Last week they made easy work of Georgia Tech winning 35-10. True freshman Stephen Morris has started the last two Games, and played much of the Game prior to that. Regular starter Jacory Harris is out due to a serious coNCussion sustained against Virginia three Games ago. Morris has played as well as you can expect, but has been INT prone. Freshmen make mistakes.
The ‘Canes will need to rely less on the QB position to get points on the board. The three-headed rushing MAChine of Damien Berry, Mike James, and LAmar Miller will have to put together a solid Game. Last week they combined for 218 yards and 3 TDs. This is a very tough defense, but they should have fresh legs the whole Game since they are bringing three solid players to the table.
The Hokies are playing their usual style of hard knock defense. In the past three Games they have allowed just 10, 21, and 7 points. In those Games they registered a combined 8 sacks. Frank Beamer is well known for high flying secondaries, and you can bank on them giving the freshman QB for Miami trouble. Miami’s defense is solid, but could have problems with the duo of Williams and Evans at RB. They GAve up a whopping 291 rushing yards to FSU on the ground, and 308 to the wishbone powered Yellow Jackets last week.
Big edge at QB for Virginia Tech here. However, as a whole, the Hurricanes have played every bit as well as Tech this year. They have even performed better against common opponents such as North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Miami also out for a little revenge after losing on the road last year, 31-7. The last time Miami got Tech in Miami they came out on top 16-14. We’re going to grab the points here in a Game that looks even. Miami +2.5