Miami vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview
Two rivals square off on Thursday, Oct. 23, as the Miami Hurricanes travel to Lane Stadium and meet the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Both programs need a victory to remain in the Coastal Division hunt, having dropped two conference contests each.
Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC) did not play this past weekend but toppled Cincinnati 55-34 two weeks ago, while Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2) fell to Pittsburgh 21-16 last Thursday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN. As of this writing, the 'Canes are favored by two points, per OddsShark.
Miami Keys to Victory
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Beat Man-to-Man Press Coverage
The Hurricanes will be facing man coverage with a single-high safety—and by single-high, that means 20 yards deep.
If there was ever a chance for Stacy Coley to break his sophomore slump, this is the matchup.
Screens may not be particularly effective against the press, but matching up with one player should be a receiver's dream. And Virginia Tech's coverage style is essentially a challenge to opposing wideouts that begs, "Let's see what you've got."
Miami plays against plenty of zone, but this is an opportunity for the 'Canes to show they're more than a unit merely able to find the soft spot.
Pressure Michael Brewer
The junior has an extremely talented arm, but Michael Brewer's decision-making is certainly lacking at times.
He's been picked off seven times in three home games against FBS opponents, and overall, Brewer has thrown the third-most interceptions in the country.
"For 96 percent of the game, I really like him," ESPN's Jesse Palmer said during the Pitt broadcast. "But there's two-to-three disaster plays that have already cost Virginia Tech in two losses early this year."
If the Miami pass-rush can force him into a poor decision, Brewer's history suggests he'll launch a prayer that gets answered by the Hurricanes secondary.
Virginia Tech Keys to Victory
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Find a Running Game
Last season, Virginia Tech shredded Miami's defense, and Trey Edmunds scored four rushing touchdowns en route to an 18-point victory. But a repeat performance is not likely.
Marshawn Williams' expected return boosts the backfield, but the Hokies are missing Shai McKenzie (torn ACL) and Edmunds (broken collarbone).
In the trio's absence at Pitt, Virginia Tech tallied just 26 yards on 22 carries. Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch notes the starting O-line will be shuffled Thursday night.
Frank Beamer cannot rely on Brewer to lead the offense by himself, so Williams must keep the Hokies' attack two-dimensional.
Don't Let the 'Canes Find Theirs
The Hokies D-line is quite formidable, being led by an absolute stud in Dadi Nicolas and allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. What's more, Luther Maddy might return after missing three games, and the Miami offensive line has been modified due to injuries.
But Duke Johnson is starting to find a groove and Joe Yearby is proving himself as a solid backup. That's not good news for Virginia Tech. Neither is missing Chase Williams, the skilled middle linebacker who, per Norm Wood of the Daily Times, is doubtful after sustaining a knee injury against Pitt.
Since defensive coordinator Bud Foster loves to stack the line of scrimmage, it's imperative the front seven dominate the trenches.
However, if the Miami blockers start opening running lanes for Johnson and Yearby, in-game adjustments will be even more critical to contain the Hurricanes' speed.
Miami Players to Watch
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Brad Kaaya, Quarterback
The Hurricanes are winless on the road, and breaking that streak won't be easy for freshman Brad Kaaya.
In three career outings away from Sun Life Stadium, Kaaya has been tagged with three delay-of-game penalties and thrown a game-sealing interception in each contest.
He'll be constantly pressured Thursday night, and Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller poses an elite test for Miami's receivers.
Kaaya has a chance to reverse the losing trend against an injury-riddled Hokies squad, but he must overcome serious crowd noise and an explosive pass-rush to accomplish that.
Ladarius Gunter, Cornerback
Ladarius Gunter has been the Hurricanes' top cornerback, moving around to cover both outside and slot receivers. Thursday night, Miami will need the senior all over the field.
Though Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips are both freshmen, neither Virginia Tech wideout has done much to suggest his class standing means a thing. Ford leads the team with 424 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Phillips has logged at least six catches three times.
Granted, Gunter cannot stop both at the same time, but consistently eliminating a top option forces Brewer to find a different receiver and possibly to make a mistake.
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Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Bucky Hodges, Tight End
Ford and Phillips will get their targets, and Deon Newsome will handle jet sweeps, but Bucky Hodges can break Tech's offense wide open.
The 6'6" tight end is an obvious mismatch—especially in the red zone—and towers over any defender that will run alongside him in coverage. Through seven games, Hodges has recorded four touchdowns over 20 receptions.
If Hodges commands attention down the seam, that opens shallow crossing routes for teammates like Willie Byrn and Ryan Malleck.
Plus, when the freshman is lined up outside, his terrific size and speed combination represents a deep threat unmatched by any teammate.
Corey Marshall, Defensive Tackle
Miami was hopeful starting right tackle Taylor Gadbois would be ready for Virginia Tech, but that optimism was shattered when it was announced the junior is likely out for the season, per Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post.
Consequently, true freshman Nick Linder will remain the starter at left guard, and Marshall must be eager for the matchup.
The junior abused Pitt's left guard for an early sack, dropping Chad Voytik in the backfield. Soon after, Marshall shot through a gap opened by pulling linemen, beat a second blocker and earned another tackle for loss.
Though Maddy might be available, his status is unclear at this time. If Maddy can play, Virginia Tech's interior lineman will be even more dangerous, but Marshall is still capable of blowing up the backfield by himself.
What They're Saying
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Miami
According to Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Golden recognizes the challenge of playing in Lane Stadium.
"It's going to be as loud as anybody. I hope [our players] embrace it and enjoy it. I think we will. We've been to very tough places. This place is up there among the toughest in the country let alone in the conference.
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Virginia Tech
Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times notes Virginia Tech—penalty-wise—is undergoing the worst-disciplined season during Frank Beamer's tenure.
"Eliminating penalties remains a high priority for the Hokies, who have had eight or more in every game this season, the longest such stretch under head coach Frank Beamer. Of Tech's eight penalties at Pitt, seven were pre-snap, with the O-line the guilty offender on the majority of them.
'It's driving us all nuts, and it's got to stop," [offensive line coach Stacy] Searels said. 'And we're doing some things differently, whether it be personnel-wise, whether it be scheme-wise to try to help these kids out.'
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Prediction
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In a game that could tilt either way during the final frame, Kaaya settles down and leads Miami to a hard-fought three-point victory.
The freshman connects with Clive Walford for a touchdown, and Johnson paces the 'Canes with 105 rushing yards. Brewer throws two scores, but a late interception buries the Hokies.
While Lane Stadium affects the Hurricanes' communication early, Virginia Tech's injuries to key players are simply too much for the Hokies to overcome.
Prediction: Miami 23, Virginia Tech 20
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