No. 13 Miami at Virginia Tech
When: Saturday, 12 p.m.
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
TV: ESPN
Coaches: UM’s Mario Cristobal 30-18 (92-78 overall), Virginia Tech interim coach Philip Montgomery 3-2
Line: Miami is favored by 18.5 points
Weather: 64 degrees, 48 percent chance of rain.
Quick slant: The Hurricanes keep moving up in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 13. Miami needs to look as impressive as possible to keep improving its chances at the playoffs.
About No. 13 Miami (8-2, 4-2 ACC): The Hurricanes had arguably their best game of the season against N.C. State last weekend. UM kept the Wolfpack off the board until the game’s final minutes, and the offense put up 35 points.
About Virginia Tech (3-7, 2-4 ACC): The biggest news for the Hokies this week was off the field. Virginia Tech made a big splash with the first big coaching hire of this cycle, bringing in former Penn State coach James Franklin to take over the team next season.
Three things to watch
1. If the Hurricanes want to make the playoffs, they likely do not just need to win. They need style points. Miami did that last week, getting highlight-reel plays from quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver Malachi Toney and safety Jakobe Thomas. They dominated N.C. State in every fashion. UM will need to do that again against a struggling Hokies squad.
2. Beck had arguably his best game as a Hurricane last week, throwing for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns. UM offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and Beck both said things started to click for Beck after Miami’s loss to SMU earlier this month. When Beck is clicking, the offense is strong. When he struggles, UM has issues moving the ball and scoring.
3. Virginia Tech’s defense provides a pass-rushing test for Miami’s seasoned offensive line. The Hokies are 28th in the nation with an 81.2 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. Fortunately for Miami, the Hurricanes have the No. 4 pass-blocking team in the nation. UM has allowed just nine sacks this year, which is tied for eighth in the nation.
