The Virginia Tech Hokies (+14) are set to face off against their conference counterpart Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-14) at Hard Rock Stadium. This crucial afternoon game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN.
Betting Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies at Miami (FL) Hurricanes
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Miami (FL) has been tabbed as the big favorite and is currently giving up 14 points. The Hokies are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Hurricanes are -735. It appears that there might be multiple good live betting opportunities in this game, and oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 47.5 points.
Sharp bettors are siding with both the Hurricanes and the under. The opening line was initially placed at -13 while the over/under was originally 49.
The Hokies have lost 3.3 units this season and are 0-4 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 2-2.
The Hurricanes are down 2.9 units this year. The team is 2-2 ATS and also owns an even O/U record of 2-2.
The Hokies are 2-2 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against ACC opponents. The Hurricanes are 2-2 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Hokies will attempt to get back on track after a 45-10 defeat to Duke last week. The passing attack the primary culprit Ryan Willis completed only seven-of-18 passes for 112 yards, as well as one score and a pick. Deshawn McClease (102 yards on 17 rush attempts) led the running attack in the loss while Tayvion Robinson (four receptions, 25 yards) and Hezekiah Grimsley (one catch, nine yards) shared the receiving duties.
Miami (FL) just put together a 17-12 win over Central Michigan two weeks ago. The defensive unit did its part in the victory, limiting the Chippewas to only 217 passing yards and 31 rushing yards. Kalil Pimpleton was a bright spot in the loss for Central Michigan, recording 73 yards and a score on 11 catches. For Miami (FL), Jarren Williams completed 17-of-24 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown. DeeJay Dallas (34 rushing yards on 14 attempts, one TD) mounted the ground game in the win while Jeff Thomas (three receptions, 29 yards) and Brevin Jordan (three catches, 70 yards) led the receiving corps.
Virginia Tech has run the ball on 59 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Miami (FL) has an overall rush percentage of 53.1 percent. The Hokies have produced 148.8 rush yards/game (including 118.5 per game versus Atlantic Coast opponents) and have four scores via handoffs this year. The Hurricanes are putting up 143.5 rush yards per game and have eight total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Hurricanes could own an advantage when it comes to efficiency in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 4.0 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 2.1 to opponents. The Hokies have ran for 3.6 yards per carry while allowing 4.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Hokies offense has logged 214.8 yards/contest through the air overall (232 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The Hurricanes have put up 276.5 pass yards per game and also have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, Virginia Tech appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 189 rush yards and 163.3 pass yards per game. The Miami (FL) defense has given up 209.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 59.8 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Hokies have given up an ANY/A of 5.47 to opposing QBs, while the Hurricanes are yielding an ANY/A of 5.14.
Williams has completed 66-of-93 passes for 773 yards, four TDs and zero INTs for Miami (FL). His adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 6.69 for the year and 10.65 over his last two games. In the other locker room, Willis has amassed 728 passing yards this season, and has completed 52-of-93 attempts with seven passing touchdowns and four interceptions. Willis has a 6.82 ANY/A for the year, though that number sits at 3.34 over the last two games.
When these two teams met a year ago, Miami (FL) won handily 38-14.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Miami (FL) Hurricanes Free Pick
SU Winner: Miami (FL), ATS Winner: Miami (FL), O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The O/U for Virginia Tech’s previous game going into it was 51.5. The over cashed in the team’s 45-10 defeat to Duke.
- Virginia Tech has produced 4.0 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.3 over its last two.
- Miami (FL) has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.3 over its last two.
- The Miami (FL) offense has lost two fumbles this season while Virginia Tech has lost six.
- Over its last three games, Virginia Tech is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Miami (FL)’s last match was 48. The under cashed in that 17-12 triumph over Central Michigan.
- In its last three matches, Miami (FL) is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Each team has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards and five pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Virginia Tech defense has allowed two pass plays of 40+ yards, while Miami (FL) has given up three such plays.
- The Virginia Tech offense has created five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Miami (FL) has created seven such run.
- The Hokies defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Hurricanes have given up one such run.
- The Miami (FL) defensive unit has tallied 11 sacks on the year while Virginia Tech has 10.
