Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
VIRGINIA TECH AT UM
FAST FACTS, ODDS, KEYS, PREDICITIONS
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium
Latest line: Miami’s favored by 8 points TV: ACC Network Radio: 560-AM, 990-AM (Spanish) Weather: 76 degrees, 40 percent chance of precipitation
Online: sun-sentinel.com/um; @ khobi_price on Twitter
Stadium safety protocols: Hard Rock Stadium will operate at full capacity. All attendees are encouraged to wear masks in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, and to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from those outside of their own party.
Quick slant: The Hurricanes are coming off a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to in-state rival Florida State, which ended UM’s three-game winning streak. Miami has a 23-15 advantage in the all-time series against Virginia Tech. Both teams need one win to become bowleligible.
About Miami (5-5, 3-3 ACC): The Hurricanes’ week has been so noteworthy that it overshadowed the fact they lost to the Seminoles for the first time since 2016 last weekend. Blake James and Miami parted ways less than 48 hours after UM’s loss to FSU, which has ramped up the already-present rumors about coach Manny Diaz’s job security. Saturday will be Senior Night for the Hurricanes.
About Virginia Tech (5-5, 3-3 ACC): The Hokies have had an eventful week of their own. Virginia Tech parted ways with coach Justin Fuente just four days before the matchup with UM. The Hokies have dropped five of their last seven games to FBS opponents, including losses to Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Syracuse earlier this season. They’re coming off a dominant 48-17 win over Duke, which is 1-15 in ACC play over the last two seasons.
3 things to watch
1. How will the Hurricanes respond to the turbulence the past week has brought them? The Diaz-led team has shown multiple times this year it’ll stick together for an entire game, but significant losses — like the one to FSU — have had a negative avalanche effect on the team in previous seasons. 2. Will Charleston Rambo break the receptions record? The Oklahoma transfer’s 64 catches are No. 3 on Miami’s all-time single-season receptions list, behind Willie Smith (66 catches in 12 games in 1984) and Leonard Hankerson (72 catches in 13 games in 2010). His 955 yards are No. 5 on UM’s all-time single-season receiving yards list, with Allen Hurns (1,162 yards in 2013) at No. 1. 3. Amaré Barno (5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks) is Virginia Tech’s best pass rusher. If the Hurricanes contain him, UM quarterback Tyler Van Dyke should have plenty of time in the pocket.