Virginia vs. Miami Football: Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

The Virginia Cavaliers and Miami Hurricanes share a few similarities.

They have the same 4—3 record. They've each lost two conference games. Neither excels at any phase of the game in particular. They've knocked off Georgia Tech in back-to-back weeks. And they cannot afford another conference loss.

They are both longshots to pull of any sort of appearance in the ACC Championship Game, but the possibility is still remotely alive.

Playing on Thursday night game always makes everything interesting and these two teams shouldn't disappoint.

Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida

When: Thursday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN (also available in ESPN 3D)

Spread: Miami -13.5

The Hurricanes are simply a better team than the Cavaliers. Two of their three losses came at the hands of Kansas State and Georgia Tech and it was by a combined 7 points.

Miami is 3-0 against the spread in their last three attempts on Thursday night's and they've covered the spread in three straight games.

Virginia is only 2-5 against the spread this year.

The Hurricanes are the play if there is one to be made.

Over/Under: 48.5

The two teams combine to score 53 points per game.

The Cavaliers have played to the under in five straight games and the Hurricanes have played to the over in four of their seven games.

This is a tougher call than the spread, but the under is the safer play.

Key Injuries

Virginia: Matt Snyder, WR - Out indefinitely (foot)

Miami: Marcus Forston, DT - Out for season (knee)

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

None. Neither team is close heading to a BCS bowl unless something insanely remarkable happens in the ACC.

As for the top 25, Miami recently earned six votes. A win here will elevate that slightly, but not by much and they won't be too close to cracking the top 25 until the Florida State game.

Key to Virginia Win

Find some form of rhythm on offense. The Cavaliers aren't sure what to do at quarterback and they throw far too many interceptions.

Running back Perry Jones is the go-to guy for the offense, but whichever quarterback is in, Mike Rocco or David Watford, they have to limit turnovers against this athletic defense.

Miami may not always been disciplined, but they have elite athletes at nearly every position.

The Cavaliers cannot give them opportunities being off-balance and out of rhythm.

Key to Miami Win

Don't beat themselves. The Hurricanes have a tendency of being their own worst enemy.

Quarterback Jacory Harris is playing better this year, not turning the ball over and they are using running back Lamar Miller as much as possible.

They need to keep playing sound football, avoid stupid penalties and they should win easy.

Prediction: Miami 31, Virginia 14