PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* ESPN Thursday Night MASSACRE
(NCAAF) Miami-FL vs. Virginia Tech,
Total: 51.00 | -107.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 51.00 | -107.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: Mark Richt spent 15 years at Georgia and led the Bulldogs to a 145-541 record and a bowl invite in each season but that was not good enough for him to keep his job. He was quickly scooped up by Miami-Fla and the Hurricanes opened the 2016 at 4-0, earning a No. 10 ranking in the AP poll of Oct. 2. However, the ‘Canes lost another tough one to FSU, falling 20-19 for a 7th straight time to the Seminoles. That defeat came at home, as did last Saturday's 20-13 loss to North Carolina, dropping Miami from the top-25. Va Tech also fell out of the top-25 last Saturday, with a shocking 31-17 loss at Syracuse, as more than a three-TD favorite.
Miami: The "canes' running game has produced just 201 yards rushing in their back-to-back losses (on 3.1 YPC), as Mark Walton (566 yards on 5.6 YPC and 8 TDs) and Joe Yearby (434 yards on 6.8 YPC and 6 TDs) have been kept in check with Walton gaining a modest 121 yards and Yearby only 113. QB Brad Kaaya is a talent but he was just 16 of 31 for 224 yards without a TD pass against the Tar Heels. Miami's defense remains top-notch, allowing just 14.0 PPG (6th) on 313.5 YPG (15th).
Va. Tech: The Hokies looked awful at Syracuse, allowing the Orange to roll up 561 yards and 32 FDs. QB Dungey passed for 311 yards (added 106 yards rushing) and Syracuse also connected on an 84-yard halfback-option TD pass. QB Jerod Evans (ACC-best 170.7 QB rating) has thrown for 1,352 yards with 17 TD passes with just 2 INTs, while rushing for 319 yards and two TDs. Note that despite its Carrier Dome meltdown, the Va. Tech defense ranks 7th in yards allowed (291.5 YPG) and 15th in points allowed (18.2 PPG).
The pick: Richt lost three games in a row just once during his 15 years at Georgia and sure needs to avoid that happening here in Year-One of his stay at Miami. Justin Fuente (from Memphis) is in his first year at Va. Tech, taking over for the legendary Frank Beamer, and this game is likely to either jump-start or way-lay the remainder of the Hokies schedule. Much is on the line in this one and I believe two excellent defenses ‘rule' the game. The Under is a 10* play.
Miami: The "canes' running game has produced just 201 yards rushing in their back-to-back losses (on 3.1 YPC), as Mark Walton (566 yards on 5.6 YPC and 8 TDs) and Joe Yearby (434 yards on 6.8 YPC and 6 TDs) have been kept in check with Walton gaining a modest 121 yards and Yearby only 113. QB Brad Kaaya is a talent but he was just 16 of 31 for 224 yards without a TD pass against the Tar Heels. Miami's defense remains top-notch, allowing just 14.0 PPG (6th) on 313.5 YPG (15th).
Va. Tech: The Hokies looked awful at Syracuse, allowing the Orange to roll up 561 yards and 32 FDs. QB Dungey passed for 311 yards (added 106 yards rushing) and Syracuse also connected on an 84-yard halfback-option TD pass. QB Jerod Evans (ACC-best 170.7 QB rating) has thrown for 1,352 yards with 17 TD passes with just 2 INTs, while rushing for 319 yards and two TDs. Note that despite its Carrier Dome meltdown, the Va. Tech defense ranks 7th in yards allowed (291.5 YPG) and 15th in points allowed (18.2 PPG).
The pick: Richt lost three games in a row just once during his 15 years at Georgia and sure needs to avoid that happening here in Year-One of his stay at Miami. Justin Fuente (from Memphis) is in his first year at Va. Tech, taking over for the legendary Frank Beamer, and this game is likely to either jump-start or way-lay the remainder of the Hokies schedule. Much is on the line in this one and I believe two excellent defenses ‘rule' the game. The Under is a 10* play.
