After impressive starts, the Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes each took a step back last time out. The ACC Coastal conference is still up for grabs, so this Week 8 matchup between them is pivotal for both sides.
The Hokies jumped into the national rankings with an impressive three-game stretch but fell flat against Syracuse last week to drop to 4-2 on the season. Miami won four straight to open the season and surge into the top-10 nationally but has dropped back-to-back games to Florida State and North Carolina. The Hurricanes are slight road underdogs but this one could go down to the wire.
This contest in Week 8 of the regular season will go down Thursday, October 20, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Lane Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Miami +3.5
Virginia Tech -3.5
Odds Analysis
This one seems to be pegged pretty fairly, as each side of the coin has gotten significant early action. The Hokies have been the more popular play, as 54 percent of the money is heading toward them to cover, although plenty believe it is Miami which will emerge victorious.
A moneyline play on the Hurricanes is certainly something to consider when it comes out later in the week.
Player to Watch
Jerod Evans - The Virginia Tech dual-threat quarterback doesn’t get the same type of publicity as the superstar signal-callers in the ACC, but he’s done a nice impression of Lamar Jackson and DeShaun Watson.
Evans has completed 96-of-153 passes for 1,352 yards with 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He has also been a threat on the ground, carrying the ball 72 times for 319 yards and a pair of scores.
Miami has done a nice job of keeping quarterbacks in check this year, but the secondary will be tested by a player who has found a nice groove.
Key Stat
16. That’s the average number of points Miami has scored in its two losses. The Hurricanes scored 19 in a one-point loss to Florida State and then 13 last week in a seven-point loss to North Carolina.
Contrast that to the Hurricanes’ offensive explosion in wins, where they have averaged 47 points per contest. The competition naturally picks up in conference play as Miami has seen tougher defenses, but it’s still paramount for the offense to pick it up.
It will be a tough task in this one, as the Virginia Tech defense is only allowing 18.2 points per game. The Hokies really excel against the pass, giving up only 177.7 yards per game, so it will be interesting to see how Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya fares.
He is 98-of-158 passing for 1,373 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season. Like the rest of the team, Kaaya has been very good in the wins and has struggled in the losses. He must figure out a tough Virginia Tech defense in order to put the Hurricanes in position to pull off the road win.
Free ATS Pick
These teams are very similar. They have the same record, average close to the same number of points and give up about the same as well. The Hurricanes have the slight advantage statistically, but the Hokies have the home field advantage.
This one could come down to which defense steps up and makes the big play. If either team can force a key turnover early on, it will put its side in an advantageous position.
Miami and Virginia Tech both desperately want to stay alive in the conference race, and capturing this one is key. While the Hurricanes are going to keep it close, go with the Hokies to pull out a close one at home and cover by the narrowest of margins.
College Football Odds: Virginia Tech 24, Miami 20
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