Miami Hurricanes at #21 Virginia Tech Hokies
Lane Stadium – Blacksburg, Virginia
Saturday, October 8, 2011, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN GP
Opening Line: Virginia Tech -8 1/2
Current Line: Virginia Tech -7 1/2
Opening Total: 44 1/2
Current Total: 45
Opening Money Line: Virginia Tech -300 / Miami +250
Current Money Line: Virginia Tech -290 / Miami +245
It wasn’t that long ago that Miami and Virginia Tech would be one of the biggest and most important games if not the biggest on the ACC schedule. It still is a huge game, but other teams in the conference are improving. These two rivals are meeting for the 29th time. Miami leads the series 17-11 But Virginia Tech won 2 straight including last year in Miami 31-17. Miami is 2-2 this season under new coach Al Golden, with home wins over Ohio St 24-6 and last week against Bethune-Cookman 45-14. The Hurricanes have losses at Maryland 32-24 and at home against Kansas St 28-24. Virginia Tech is coached by Frank Beamer, and is 4-1 this season. The Hokies have wins over Appalachian St 66-13 at home, at East Carolina 17-10, at home versus Arkansas St 26-7, and at Marshall 30-10. Last week the Hokies suffered their first loss of the season at home to then #13 Clemson Tigers 23-3.
Miami was down 7-0 at home last week to Bethune-Cookman midway through the second quarter, but the Hurricanes scored two touchdowns to take a 14-7 halftime lead. Miami woke up at halftime and outscored them 31-7 in the second half to win 45-14. Cookman actually had more yards than Miami 422-335, but the Wildcats had 12 penalties and 2 turnovers, including an interception returned 59 yards by Miami late in the fourth quarter for a touchdown. Miami had 209 passing yards, including 175 from quarterback Jacory Harris who threw 2 touchdown passes. Receiver Tommy Streeter only had two catches but both went for long touchdowns. Running back Lamar Miller rushed for 102 yards and 2 scores.
Miami is averaging 369 yards a game including 169.2 rushing yards a game. The Hurricanes are averaging 29.2 points a game. Miami has allowed 4 sacks and has 8 turnovers. The Hurricanes are 24/54 on third and fourth down conversions and 11/12 scoring in the red zone with 8 touchdowns. Miami is allowing 382 yards and 20 points a game. Miami has one of the worst rush defenses in the country giving up 202.2 yards a game, but the pass defense is among the nation’s best giving up only 179.8 yards a game. The ‘Canes have forced 5 turnovers and 13 sacks. Miami opponents are 30/65 on third and fourth down conversions, and 13/18 scoring in the red zone with 7 touchdowns.
Harris is 49/71 passing for 511 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, along with 11 carries for 19 yards. Miller has 76 carries for 511 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 6 catches for 12 yards. Mike James has 29 carries for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 4 catches for 29 yards. Receiver Tommy Streeter has 12 catches for 213 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Allen Hurns has 13 catches for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns. Travis Benjamin has 15 catches, 170 yards, and a touchdown. Kicker Jake Wieclaw is 15/15 on extra points and 4/4 on field goals with a long of 39 yards. Miami has numerous players on the injury report due to suspension or injury including 8 defensive players.
Clemson completely dominated at Virginia Tech 23-3 last week in a battle of top 13 teams. It was a defensive struggle as Clemson only had 323 total yards and 18 first downs, while Virginia Tech only had 258 yards and 17 first downs. The Hokies had 2 turnovers in the loss.
The Hokies are averaging 395.8 yards a game including 196 rushing yards a game. Virginia Tech is scoring 28.4 points a game. The Hokies have allowed 7 sacks and have 8 turnovers. Tech is 33/80 on third and fourth down conversions, and 19/26 scoring in the red zone with 14 touchdowns. Virginia Tech is holding opponents to 249.6 total yards, including just 58.2 rushing yards a game. The Hokies are only allowing 12.6 points a game. All 3 are ranked in the top 10 nationally. Virginia Tech has forced 10 turnovers and 15 sacks this year. Hokie opponents are 24/81 on third and fourth down conversions, and 5/8 scoring in the red zone with 4 touchdowns.
Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas is 75/132 passing with 886 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions along with 39 carries, 130 yards, and a touchdown. Running back David Wilson has 107 carries, 639 yards, and 5 touchdowns, along with 7 catches for 43 yards. Josh Oglesby has 42 carries, 175 yards, and 5 scores, and two catches for 17 yards. Receiver Danny Cole has 23 catches, 326 yards, and a touchdown. D.J. Coles had 18 catches, 200 yards, and a score. Marcus Davis has 9 catches, 185 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He missed the last game with a foot injury, and is questionable for this game. Jarrett Boykin has 13 catches for 103 yards, and a touchdown. Receiver Dyrell Roberts is out for the season with an arm injury. Tight end Eric Martin is questionable with a shoulder injury. Kicker Cody Journell is 17/18 on extra points and 5/8 on field goals with a long of 41 yards.
Virginia Tech is 1-4 against the spread this year and 4 of the 5 games have gone under the total. Miami is 1-3 ATS this season and the total is 2-2. Virginia Tech has covered the last two meetings and both games went under the total. Miami is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 as an underdog of between 3.5 and 10 points, 1-4 ATS in the last 5 conference games, against teams with winning records, and in October games, 1-5 in the last 6 on grass, and 1-6 ATS in the last 7 overall. The Hokies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 as a favorite of between 3.5 and 10 points, and in October games, 40-16 ATS in the last 56 yards, 7-3 ATS in the last 10 at home, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 on grass, 0-4 in the last 4 as a favorite, and in their last 4 overall.
Neither of these teams has been very good against the number this year going a combined 2-7. I don’t see a lot of points being scored in this game, and I look for Virginia Tech to bounce back against a banged up Miami defense.
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