Collegiate Times

Words can’t describe how big this week’s contest against Miami is for the Virginia Tech football team. It should go without saying. The Hokies are looking to avoid their first 0-2 start in ACC play ever, and this win is crucial if they want another shot at Clemson in the conference championship game.

The stakes are just as high for the Hurricanes, as they’ve already lost two games, to Maryland and an undefeated Kansas State. They knocked off a ranked Ohio State team, but that win doesn’t carry as much weight now as it did when it happened, as we now know the Buckeyes are having a serious off-year.

So, why exactly does Miami pose a serious threat to Tech? Let’s take a look (Five bucks says I end up picking the Hokies in the end):

SPECIAL TEAMS. NOT MIAMI’S. TECH’S.

This week’s list starts, not with the Hurricanes most dangerous player, as per usual, but with the Hokies biggest weakness through five games. Kicker Cody Journell is only five of eight on his field goal attempts, and more importantly, punter Scott Demler is averaging just 33.1 yards per punt. Field position killed Tech in the loss against Clemson, and that wasn’t the first time this year it’s hurt them. Coach Frank Beamer will stick with Demler for now, although many fans have called for backup Michael Branthover, and even wide receiver Danny Coale. It just goes to show you that you have to be good in all three phases of the game to win, and if the Hokies are going to win this game, they simply have to perform better on special teams.

LAMAR MILLER

On to Miami’s best player. The sophomore has rushed for 100 yards in all four of the Hurricanes games thus far. He’s run for 511 yards total to go along with four touchdowns, all while averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Miller tore the Hokies apart last year, going for 163 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. It’s actually a wonder Miami didn’t give him the ball more. Stopping Miller will be crucial for Tech come Saturday.

THE PASSING GAME. NOT MIAMI’S. TECH’S.

This is another one that a lot of Hokie fans already know about. Tech has to be able to throw the ball better for even a chance at playing in the ACC championship game. After last weekend’s game, I heard chants of, “WE WANT LEE-EL.”  I promptly let them know it’s actually pronounced “LEE-AL,“ but I think those fans that want Logan Thomas’ head on a stake have only themselves to blame for hyping the guy up so much. I’m not sure it was fair to compare him to Cam Newton — who already had experience at Florida and a junior college national title under his belt before coming to Auburn — and I think Hokie fans are just impatient and restless after waiting on another national-title run for more than a decade. With that being said, yes, Thomas does have to throw the ball better. Clemson exposed a big weakness in Tech’s offense last week, and it can’t rely fully on David Wilson. You can bet Miami has seen that game film, and will be utilizing a similar strategy to try and force the Hokies to pass the ball more.

Okay. So, that list honestly wasn’t that intimidating. Miami has some talented guys on offense, but it pretty much always does. If the Hurricanes have success slowing down David Wilson, they’ll have a much better shot at winning this game. Unfortunately for them, I don’t think it’ll happen. Here’s why I’m not afraid of the Hurricanes:

105TH

Miami ranks down near the bottom of the national rankings in rushing defense, giving up over 202 yards per game. This is good news for a Tech offense that’s averaged 196 yards per game on the ground. Expect Wilson to have a big day, and Josh Oglesby to get his fair share of the carries as well.

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A version of this article appeared in the Oct 6 issue of the Collegiate Times.