Virginia Tech begins second half of season with trip to Miami

Whoever starts against the Hurricanes will need to protect the football.

October has not gone as planned for the Miami Hurricanes. Va Tech snapped a two-game losing streak with last Friday’s win over NC State, while Miami is coming off an emotional sixth-straight loss to hated rival Florida State.

Brewer’s status for Saturday’s game at Miami (3-2, 0-1) has not yet been determined.

The Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes meet Saturday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium. Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips have combined for 695 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while Bucky Hodges has 14 receptions.

Miami dominated VT in every facet of the game. Miami has a few defensive talent, including LB Raphael Kirby (40 tackles), and has intercepted eight passes in five games. The Virginia Tech Hokies ground game is averaging 172 yards per contest, and Travon McMillian leads the way with 319 yards and one touchdown. Corey Marshall, Michael Brewer and Desmond Frye are questionable. Let’s take a look at what each bring to the table. This season, 56.0 percent are passes.

Brewer, on the other hand, is more of a drop-back QB who will do the majority of his damage from the pocket. This is a winnable game that could build a few momentum before two tough matchups. Last season, Brewer never really seemed to grasp the VT offense, throwing for 2,692 yards, 18 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and was sacked an astounding 32 times.

The Virginia Tech Hokies look for their second road victory that would get them a game above a. 500 record. We’ve got to win the Coastal, that’s the goal.

The best matchup for the Miami defense will be against Michael Brewer. Running back Duke Johnson was spectacular. Last year, the Canes blew out Virginia Tech 30-6 in Blacksburg.

In any situation, Miami has to be the aggressor. They all count, but defeating the Coastal Division teams is imperative to get to the December 5 ACC Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina. Players like Al-Quadin Muhammad and Chad Thomas will need to have strong performances similar to how they played against FSU and create havoc up front, especially against a lesser talented offensive line that is Virginia Tech’s.

But pass defense is the Hokies’ strength. The defense is T-39th in total defense due to them giving up 190.7 yards per game on the ground, good for 97th in the nation. And for Kaaya to test the Hokie secondary on play-action. But Kaaya and Yearby give the Canes a decided advantage in the backfield, the difference in a game that won’t be decided until the final five or six minutes.

The Canes struggled in the run game last week at Florida State, netting 20 yards, and are expected to make changes in the offensive line. Just not as much as it used to during the height of the rivalry back in the Big East and the early ACC days.

“Yeah, we’re still not happy about it”, receiver Braxton Berrios said Tuesday, the first day of availability after UM’s 29-24 loss in Tallahassee.

Both Miami and Virginia Tech do a great job of forcing teams into turnovers.

The Canes’ offense was on fire early against the Huskers-scripted plays working to perfection and Miami building a monster lead. And once they get them down, keep them down.

SPEAKING OF LAST WEEK: In 2013 and 2014, losses to Florida State sent the Hurricanes into a tailspin that lasted until the end of the season.

In order for the Canes to be successful, Miami has to establish the run.