Campus Clash
(13) Virginia Tech Hokies at (9) Miami Hurricanes
Virginia Tech: They’re a team that’s in the midst of a divisional race right now in the ACC Coastal. I haven’t seen much of them since their showdown with Clemson in Blacksburg in September, but prior to that game, I was impressed with what I saw. They have a very productive player under center in quarterback Josh Jackson, a good running back in Travon McMillian and a very reliable wide receiver on the outside in Cam Phillips. Right now, they’re 7-1 and have won three games in a row defeating Boston College, North Carolina, and Duke and they enter week ten (still can’t believe it, seems like the season just started) ranked 13th in the nation. They can also play defense and make stops when it matters the most. This is another big game for them against a team who’s become relevant once again and enters this game undefeated in Miami.
The U: A few weeks ago, my radio associate, Mr. Cole Johnson stated that when programs such as USC and Notre Dame are back on top of their games, the game of college football is at its best. I’d like to throw the University of Miami into that discussion as well because they are relevant once again after some years of really struggling and the university was starting to lose its luster. When you watch them, you immediately see how much fun they are having as a team. When someone forces a takeaway on defense, that particular player then gets to wear a necklace with the legendary logo on it for making the play. You can be business as usual as a football team, but it doesn’t hurt to sprinkle in some fun here and there. They didn’t look all that great against a struggling North Carolina team, but they found a way to keep it moving forward and got the win. The running game was absent and Travis Homer was shut down for most of the game, so it all fell into the hands of Malik Rosier. The defense struggled and this has been their strength for most of the season, It’s a primetime showdown on Saturday night.
Virginia Tech Player To Watch: Ricky Walker– He’s in his third year on the team (junior season) and the way the Tar Heels shut down the run of the Hurricanes last week, I expect to see much of the same thing on Saturday night in Miami Gardens. He will be in on trying to limit Homer.
Miami Player To Watch: Braxton Berrios– He’s the team’s top receiver and with the box being loaded, they’ll be forced to throw the ball. I look for this kid to be targeted quite a bit early on and later if the game comes down to the fourth quarter.
Final Analysis: These are two good football teams set to battle on Saturday night. Virginia Tech’s offense has been consistent during their winning streak and they’ve scored at least 23 points during the streak. Their defense has been just as good giving up just a total of 20 points during the span. As for Miami, their offense has been good scoring 24 in their last four games.
Prediction: Miami 23 Virginia Tech 20
