Last week’s game at Lane Stadium looked like a make-or-break game for Virginia Tech. With a roaring home crowd and a chance to bounce back from a lackluster season opener in Nashville, the Hokies fell to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 26-23. They had a chance to go into ACC play with a 3-1 record, but instead fell to 2-2 and faced a powerhouse, seventh-ranked Miami team ready to pounce on the Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium.
Can the Hokies get back on track with a big win on the road? Let’s take a closer look at some of the storylines that will determine the matchup.
1. Can Virginia Tech stop Cam Ward’s momentum?
It’s no secret that the Hurricanes have a great player in quarterback Cam Ward. The Washington State transfer has already led the team to a four-game winning streak and is ranked seventh in the country. Ward has 14 passing touchdowns and 1,439 passing yards, good for first and second in the league, respectively.
Virginia Tech already has players like Diego Pavia and Ahsan Kaliakmanis splitting up the defense, but will they be able to contain Cam Ward and Miami’s high-powered offense?
2. VT is 3-26 against top-10 teams on the road.
The last time Virginia Tech beat a top 10 team on the road was a decade ago when they upset No. 8 Ohio State, 35-21. The Hokies haven’t had a major road win since. If Virginia Tech can get the job done on the road, it would be a great opportunity, but being such an underdog makes it that much more difficult. That said, it will be a tough start to the ACC schedule for Virginia Tech.
3. Antoine Powell-Ryland vs. Tyler Barron
Both defenses are anchored by talented defensive linemen in Virginia Tech’s Antwuan Powell-Ryland and Miami’s Tyler Barron. APR leads the nation with 5.5 sacks, and Barron is one point behind with 4.5. Both have found ways to get close on the quarterback early in the season, and with both Draughns and Ward being quick with their feet, it will be a tough task for either of them to make game-deciding plays against the opposing quarterback.
