The Miami Hurricanes invade Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia to get it on with the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday night. The start time for the match-up is at 7:00 p.m. ET and the contest can be viewed on the ESPN Network. The Hokies sit as a -6 point favorite and the over/under is now at 51.
In last year’s match-up, Miami’s Brad Kaaya directed a 75 yard scoring drive in the contest’s final moments to put down the Hokies in a 30-20 victory. The Hurricane’s defense caused four turnovers along with three sacks to help secure the win.
Miami is coming off another disappointing home loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels 20-13. Senior signal-caller Brad Kaaya fumbled on the Hurricane’s last possession to give the Tar Heels their much needed road victory.
Miami (4-2):
After last weeks let-down, Brad Kaaya looks to rebound against ACC rivals Virginia Tech. Minus last contest’s late turnover, the Hurricane quarterback has done a better job protecting the pigskin. Kaaya now has completed just under 100 completions for 1,373 with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Running backs Marcus Walton and Joseph Yearby are the one-two tag-team tandum that moves the chains via the ground for Miami. Combined, the two talents have amassed 165 carries for 1,000 yards and added 14 touchdowns to their team’s total.
Brad Kaaya’s favorite targets are Stacey Coley and Ahmmon Richards. Together, the wide-outs have reeled in over forty catches for over 660 yards. Coley is starting to make his mark in the red zone. The standout now has six trips to pay-dirt.
Miami’s 15th ranked overall defense couldn’t perform up to par last weekend as the secondary was gouged for 299 yards through the air and two scores. The Hurricanes also allowed the Tar Heels to convert on 14 of its 23 third-down tries. As of now, Miami ranks a respectable 25th against the pass and is allowing only 14 points a game.
Virginia Tech (4-2):
Virginia Tech lost at Syracuse last week and gave the Orange head coach Dino Babers a much needed win. Syracuse’s 31-17 triumph was its first win over a ranked school in four years. Offensively, the Hokie’s Jerod Evans had success both over land and by air, but he did throw an pick and also fumbled with under five minutes remaining.
This year, the Hokie’s quarterback Jerod Evans has performed as a duel-threat weapon. He has completed almost 100 balls for 1,352 yards with an impressive 17 touchdowns and only two picks. He also has carried the rock another 72 times for 319 yards and two scores.
Tail back Travon McMillian shares running responsibilities with Virginia Tech’s signal-caller. The back field threat has ran the ball 74 four times in 2016 for 327 yards and three touchdowns.
Three Hokie receivers are shoring-up Virginia Tech’s air attack. Altogether, they have nabbed 70 balls for well over 1,000 yards and 10 scores. Isaiah Ford leads the group with 32 catches for 459 yards and five touchdowns.
Last week’s game against the Orange was a bit of an enigma from a defense that had been so solid just five matches into the season. Even so, the Hokies still only allow under 300 yards of total offense a game and give way to just over 18 points a contest.
Trends and Notes:
The Hurricanes are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
The Hokies are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 Thursday games.
The Under is 13-6 in the Hurricanes last 19 conference games.
The Over is 4-1 in the Hokies last 5 home games.
The Under is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings between the two schools.
Game Prediction:
This match-up should be a very exciting contest between two schools that played lack-luster football last weekend. The game also comes on the heels of a short week so it will be interesting to see if the two team’s focus will be sharp.
Miami’s quarterback will need to bring his “A” game if the Hurricane’s are to produce against one of the nation’s surprisingly best defenses. He managed to get the job done in the fourth quarter the last time he faced the Hokies.
Virginia Tech’s Jerrod Evans has been the biggest surprise of all for the Hokies in 2016. He continues to impress and will look to do the same in front of the home fans in Blacksburg.
These two teams are very similar on the defensive side of the football and both have play-makers in the special teams department. We at Get More Sports think that both quarterbacks will play well, and allow their stout defenses to keep the other team’s offensive squad under control.
Go with the experience at the quarterback spot in this one and take Brad Kaaya to keep it close. Also, points could very well be at a premium if both defenses come to play aggressive football. Our recommendation is Miami +6 or the under 51, take your pick.
