10th-ranked Hokies host Hurricanes
The 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies attempt to keep pace in the ACC's Coastal Division standings, when they welcome the Miami Hurricanes to Blacksburg this weekend.
Frank Beamer's Hokies (5-1) sit just a half game behind the Virginia Cavaliers (6-1) in the Coastal Division, with a showdown with the Cavs set for next weekend in Charlottesville. Last week, the Hokies topped Florida State for their seventh win in the last eight games.
The Hurricanes closed out their 70-year Orange Bowl stay in devastating fashion last weekend, getting blanked by Virginia, 48-0. It was the fourth loss in the last five games for Randy Shannon's squad and was the first shutout loss at home for Miami since 1974. Becoming bowl eligible is something that Miami may struggle in accomplishing this year, with a trip to Boston College next week to close out the regular season.
The Hurricanes hold a 16-8 edge in the all-time series, but Tech has won eight of the last 12 meetings, overall.
The offensive woes for Miami were never more evident than in last week's embarrassing loss to Virginia. The Hurricanes managed just nine first downs in the game and a anemic 189 yards of total offense. The team passed for just 94 yards, marking the fifth time this season that Miami has failed to throw for 100 yards or more. QB Kyle Wright has led this struggling unit, having completed 59.5 percent of his passes, but for only 1,334 yards, with nine TDs and 12 interceptions. WR Darnell Jenkins has been the top target downfield, but his 25 receptions, for 570 yards and two TDs isn't awe-inspiring by any stretch of the imagination. The ground game is this team's best opportunity to move the chains, with Miami netting 166.6 yards per game. Freshman Graig Cooper (66.4 ypg) and sophomore Javarris James (57.2 ypg) give the team a decent one-two punch in the backfield, but have been hampered by the lack of balance on offense.
The Miami defense has been much more reliable than the offense this season. The Hurricanes are yielding just 333.1 yards of total offense this year and have done a real good job against the pass (200.1 ypg). This is not the feared unit that ravaged the nation in the recent past, but there is still plenty of star power on the squad. The best player on defense resides up front in the form of mammoth defensive end Calais Campbell. The 6-8 280-pound DE is regarded as one of the top rush ends in the nation this year and has recorded 80 total tackles, with 11.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, one INT and two fumble recoveries. Campbell is joined up front by tackles Vegas Franklin (72 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) and Teraz McCray (41 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks). The linebacking corps is led by veteran Tavares Gooden (team-high 106 tackles, one INT and three fumble recoveries), while safety Kenny Phillips (86 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, one INT) is the player to keep an eye on in the secondary.
Tyrod Taylor was responsible for three TDs last week, leading the Hokies to a huge win over Florida State. For his effort, Taylor was named the ACC's Rookie of the Week. The athletic signal-caller has split time with junior Sean Glennon under center, with both players getting five starts each. Glennon is more of the pocket passer, while Taylor has freelanced quite a bit. Taylor has thrown for five TDs, but only 844 yards. He certainly likes to run with the ball, as he is ranked second on the team in rushing (340 yards), with four scores. The leader on the ground is tailback Branden Ore, although the junior has struggled this year to the tune of just 3.3 yards per carry. The vertical game is nothing to get overly excited about, with Justin Harper (30 receptions, for 490 yards, three TDs) and Josh Morgan (30 receptions, for 383 yards, four TDs) representing the top targets downfield.
Where Virginia Tech has once again excelled, is on the defensive side of the ball. The Hokies are limiting foes to just 15.0 ppg and a mere 297.0 yards of total offense. The rush defense has been strong at 93.9 ypg (3.0 ypc). Getting off the field has been a strength of this unit, with opponents successful just 25 percent of the time on third down. Despite not having defensive leader Vince Hall in the lineup due to injury of late, this defense has continued to shine. Leading the way is All-American candidate Xavier Adibi in the middle of the field. The senior linebacker leads the team in tackles (84) and TFLs (10.0), with three sacks and one INT. Fellow All-American candidate Brandon Flowers (60 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, four INTs) highlights the play in the secondary at one cornerback position, while DE Chris Ellis (35 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) does the same up front.
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