The Miami Hurricanes dominated college football for much of the 1980s and 1990s, intimidating opponents with their athleticism and ferocity. But since joining the ACC in 2004, Miami has yet to record double-digit wins in any season, including last year when the 'Canes suffered their first losing season in 10 years and second since 1979.
Now that they're riding the momentum of four straight wins to claim a stake atop the ACC Coastal standings, Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer believes the Hurricanes are back.
"You turn on the video now and it's getting close to that, you know, old Miami," Beamer said.
Regardless of Miami's recent surge, Tech can still feel confident going into tonight knowing it's won four of the past five in this series. Tech is in control of its own destiny to win the ACC Championship and is looking to remain undefeated against Coastal Division foes.
To earn a win tonight, the Hokies hope to have another big game from running back Darren Evans who rushed for 253 yards and a touchdown last Thursday against Maryland. The emergence of an effective workhorse is vital for Tech, but the success of the running game will likely depend on the play of the offensive line, which has allowed the most sacks in the ACC this season.
After Evans' record-setting rushing output, the line is looking for more.
"Anytime you find a guy that runs downhill, runs over guys and stuff like that, it's nice," said redshirt senior guard Nick Marshman. "But ultimately it comes down to the offensive line. We got to get him the holes to get him to even be able to work and to do what he does."
Miami's deep, skilled defensive line will be tough to run inside on, making Tech's passing attack even more critical. If sophomore Tyrod Taylor, whose playing status is listed as questionable, can't play, then the reins of the offense will be given to senior Sean Glennon, who had a successful time managing the game against Maryland.
Whichever quarterback gets the start, tight end Greg Boone will no doubt add a pivotal facet to the offense. Boone brings a much-needed experienced target to the air assault, along with being a huge threat in the red zone, literally and figuratively. But with the advent of a new gimmick offense in Tech's repertoire, receiving isn't the only way in which Boone impacts the offense.
Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring will try to spur the offense by using the recently unveiled "Wild Turkey" formation, which the offense debuted last week against Maryland. In the formation, Boone lines up at quarterback and Glennon splits out as a receiver. While Beamer wants to make sure the team sticks to the nuts and bolts of its offense, he certainly likes the new dimension this formation can provide for the team.
"Now I think you just kind of keep building off it a little," Beamer said. "Don't make it too complicated, which I didn't think we did. But you can attack different parts of the field, which I thought we could. And you're using talents of people in certain ways in a different situation."
Boone, who played quarterback in high school, didn't attempt a pass last week against Maryland, but coaches think he has ability to if opposing defenses allow for it. Although Beamer didn't specify whether the team worked on the Boone-to-Glennon connection in practice this week, he believes Glennon is athletic enough to catch the ball if need be.
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