Miami is off to a strong start heading into the 2024 season, posting a 4-0 record for the second straight season and looking to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2017. Standing in their way is arch-rival Virginia Tech. ACC play begins Friday night with a spotlight game.
The Hurricanes steadily climbed the rankings through the opening month of the season, starting the year at No. 19 in the AP Top 25 poll and rising to No. 7. Oddsmakers view Miami as the conference’s new favorite and the favorite to advance. On to the College Football Playoff. It will be up to coach Mario Cristobal’s group to capitalize on the opportunity for a breakout season, something the head coach desperately needs after entering his third year at his alma mater with a 12-13 record. It would have been.
For Virginia Tech, the opportunity to play as a spoiler is also a chance to add some spark to a season that hasn’t started as planned for the Hokies. Given his returning talent and strong finish heading into 2023, he is viewed by many as a dark horse in the ACC. They’ve already lost by one score to Vanderbilt and Rutgers in the team’s 2-2 start. There is a clean slate in conference play, even if the disappointment lingers. And a win against Miami could reignite optimism for a breakout year for Brent Pry in Blacksburg.
Miami vs. Virginia Tech: What you need to know
Cam Ward is one of the stars of 2024. He was named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year and fully lived up to expectations through four games. Ward currently leads the nation with 14 passing touchdowns and leads an offense that ranks second in the FBS with 605 yards per game. He started the first four games of the year and became the first quarterback in Miami history to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns three times.
The Hokies are finding strength in their ground game. Virginia Tech running back Beichul Tuten gained 122 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries in last week’s loss to Rutgers, bringing his season average to 97.8 yards per game (3rd in the ACC) ). Tuten has rushed for over 100 yards in five of the past six games dating back to last season. He’s a big bright spot for a Hokies team that has struggled to a slow start against power conference opponents.
Modern East Coast College Football Rivalry: The official origins of the series date back to 1953 and include a collection of classic games from the 1960s to the 1980s, but the series, currently known as Miami Tech The university’s rivalry with Virginia Tech was born in the Big East. The 2023 season, the first non-divisional season for the ACC, marks the first time since 1992 that Miami and Virginia Tech did not meet in the regular season. Overall, Miami leads the series his 25-15 and has won the last three games. But since 1992, that tally is 16 wins and 15 losses, with three of the last four games decided by one point or less.
How to watch Miami vs. Virginia Tech live
Date: Friday, September 27 | Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: ESPN |Live stream: fubo (free trial)
Miami vs. Virginia Tech predictions, picks
Miami has failed to live up to preseason expectations in the past as well, but most of those teams didn’t have a dynamic quarterback like Cam Ward. The Hurricanes have already built up to the line of scrimmage and now have a difference-maker under center. Given that advantage, I don’t expect to be disappointed or disappointed in the ACC opener. Instead, what is expected is a winning statement. Pick: Miami -17.5
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