Udynasty
Redshirt Freshman
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- Nov 29, 2012
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The Miami Hurricanes enter their second straight “playoff-style” game of November with everything still on the table. At No. 13 and 8–2, Miami travels to Blacksburg to face a struggling but dangerous 3–7 Virginia Tech squad eager to play spoiler inside one of the ACC’s most hostile environments. Last season’s 38–34 nail-biter where the Hokies nearly erased a late deficit was a learning opportunity for Miami to not take lesser teams gor granted. To keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive, Miami must seize control early, silence Lane Stadium, and play with the urgency of a group that knows every snap matters. The road to rivalry week and a potential CFP jump begins here. So what are the keys to a Miami Win?
Keys To Victory:
Start Fast and Control the Tempo
Miami’s blueprint for success begins with an aggressive, fast start. The Hurricanes average 33.7 points per game, and when quarterback Carson Beck jump-starts the offense early, Miami becomes nearly impossible to slow down. Lane Stadium thrives off chaos and momentum swings; Miami cannot afford to give the Hokies life in the first quarter. Establishing the run with Girard Pringle and pushing the ball vertically to their deep receiving corps should help Miami build a two-score lead early. If the Canes control tempo and dictate the flow, they will neutralize the environment and win easily.
Contain Kyron Drones
Everything Virginia Tech does offensively flows through dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones, whose combination of arm talent and mobility makes him their only true X-factor. With 578 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns, Drones has carried the Hokies’ offense all season. Miami’s defense which has shown vulnerability at times against mobile quarterbacks must rush with discipline, use a spy when necessary, and tighten coverage on early downs. If the Canes keep Drones in the pocket and prevent his scrambling explosives, VT will struggle to sustain drives. Forcing Drones into passing situations, where the Hokies rank 122nd nationally, heavily tilts the matchup toward Miami.
Win the Trenches on Both Sides
This game will be won at the line of scrimmage. Miami’s offensive line has a decisive advantage over a VT defense that ranks among the nation’s worst statistically:
116th in scoring defense
113th in yards per play allowed
110th in pass yards per attempt allowed
130th in turnovers forced
If Miami protects Beck and opens lanes for their running backs the Hokies lack the personnel to keep the game close. Defensively, Miami’s front seven should thrive against a VT offensive line allowing one of the ACC’s highest sack rates. Pressure equals turnovers, and turnovers usually equal short fields and blowouts.
One Thing to Watch: Virginia Tech’s Run-Heavy Scheme
Virginia Tech’s rushing attack is efficient and deserves attention. The Hokies rank 21st in yards per rush and 23rd in total rushing yards per game, leaning heavily on misdirection, tempo, and horizontal stretch concepts.
RB Marcelus Hawkins is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and Drones form a formidable rushing duo. The danger for Miami comes if VT consistently reaches third-and-short situations, allowing them to control clock and limit possessions.
Prediction
Miami enters this matchup needing a statement. The Playoff Committee elevating Notre Dame to #9 and Alabama to #10 was a deliberate move that avoids the direct head-to-head comparison that favors Miami. If the Hurricanes want to force the committee to take them seriously in the final two weeks, they must deliver dominant, decisive victories.
A rudderless Virginia Tech team that fired its head coach midseason should not be able to contain Miami’s explosiveness or match their physicality. If Miami plays clean, avoids self-inflicted mistakes, and executes their identity, this should be one of the cleaner performances of the Cristobal era.
Prediction:
Miami 38
Virginia Tech 10