The Miami Hurricanes hit the road in college football action on Thursday night when they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Hurricanes favored on the road by a field goal.
Both Miami and Virginia Tech find themselves in a tough spot in the ACC. Each school is 4-3 overall this year with 1-2 records in the conference, but who will stay alive with at least a chance to continue a potentially productive season? The Hurricanes still have a tough sled left, but they have three of their last four games at home. Virginia Tech also has some winnable games down the stretch.
The visitor in this series has covered in seven of the last 10 games overall, five times picking up the straight up win.
Miami has dropped games to teams better than them this season, but they are coming off a 55-34 win over Cincinnati in their last game. The Hurricanes love playing on ESPN Thursday night games, winning 17 of their 20 appearances all-time.
But a negative for the Hurricanes is their inability to cover the number against anybody else on the road. Miami is just 1-6-1 against the number as an away team getting points. In all three of their road games this season they've failed to cover the spread.
Virginia Tech loves playing in these types of games as well. They haven't been the best at covering spreads, however, going just 6-14-1 against the number their last 21 games overall when they're favored at home. Home games this season have seek the Hokies cash only one of four tickets as well.
Miami has settles on quarterback Brad Kaaya, who has thrown for better than 1,800 yards and 16 scores this year. He'll have to avoid the pass rush from Virginia Tech. The Hokies love bringing pressure to opposing quarterbacks and bringing the noise against a freshman quarterback on the road can certainly give them an advantage. Miami should be able to counter that, if they can get the football to Duke Johnson, who has eclipsed the 100-yard plateau in each of the three games. Johnson has rushed for at least 90 yards in every game this season while scoring a single touchdown in six straight games.
Virginia Tech played last Thursday night, a loss at Pittsburgh. Playing at home will help the Hokies, but QB Michael Brewer has been too inconsistent this season.
Miami's defense could prove to be a big piece to this game. Johnson will run the football well and if Kaaya can avoid turning it over, the Hurricanes should be in good shape.
Free Pick: Miami 28, Virginia Tech 24
NFL Free Picks: San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos Betting
What pro football bettors need to know about betting San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos on Thursday (10/23/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with added insight from Scott Spreitzer.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for Major League Baseball with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!