RIGHTING THE SHIP
WHO WILL START TO TURN AROUND THEIR SEASON: HOKIES OR ’CANES?
Keys for Virginia Tech
Rediscover the Hokie
pride: Virginia Tech has been a shell of its former self recently, losing six of its last seven ACC games going back to last season. Four of those setbacks have come by 20 or more points, including last week’s 45-10 loss against Duke that was the worst defeat at home in 45 years. The Hokies desperately need to rediscover their former pride and intensity to compete against Miami and salvage the 2019 season. Avoid the Turnover
Chain: Miami has developed a new gaudy “Turnover Chain’’ for the 2019 season featuring the 305 area code to award player’s who force mistakes. To avoid bestowing the chain on a Hurricane, Virginia Tech must protect the ball better. The Hokies have lost 11 turnovers in the first four games, which is worst among ACC teams.
Keys for Miami
Reboot the run game: The Hurricanes were averaging 174.3 yards rushing entering last week’s non-conference game against Central Michigan. But that unraveled unexpectedly against the Chippewas, who limited Miami to 51 yards on 34 carries - an average of just 1.5 yards per rush. DeeJay Dallas, who was averaging 103 yards a game, will need to be the catalyst against a Virginia Tech defense that ranks next-to-last among ACC squads in stopping the run. Improve third-down
defense: Central Michigan was able to stay in the game with Miami last week by sustaining offensive drives. The Chippewas did so by converting six of 10 third-down plays against the Hurricanes’ defense. The result will see some changes against Virginia Tech in Miami’s thirddown package, both in personnel and alignment that should help alter those key statistics.
Prediction
Miami 31, Virginia Tech 17. Two of the preseason favorites in the ACC’s Coastal Division have gotten off to disappointing starts. The Hurricanes have been more competitive against quality foes and are playing at home, so they should have the upper hand and continue to compete for the Coastal title.