Miami at Virginia Tech Betting Pick & Prediction

Posted by Jordan Walterss on Tuesday,October 18, 2016 9:23, EDT in

It’s an important ACC Coastal Division game on the Thursday night ESPN college football game of the week as Miami visits Virginia Tech. Both schools were ranked and controlled their own destiny to win the division entering Saturday but both were upset. The Hokies are slight favorites on college football odds for this one.

Take a Closer Look at the Miami at Virginia Tech Betting Pick, Prediction & TV Info

When: Thursday, 7 PM ET
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Miami / Virginia Tech
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Virginia Tech -4

Why Bet on Miami?

The Hurricanes lost to North Carolina on Saturday 20-13. Miami, ranked No. 10 in both major polls two weeks ago, was nowhere to be found among the Top 25 when the Associated Press and Amway Coaches’ polls were released Sunday afternoon. The Canes’ No. 10 ranking marked the first time they  had been the highest-ranked FBS team in the state of Florida since Nov. 14, 2010.

Having outscored North Carolina 10-0 over the final two periods, Miami (4-2, 1-2 ACC) received a punt with under two minutes remaining in the game trailing by just a touchdown. But a strip-sack of QB Brad Kaaya recovered by North Carolina with 1:27 remaining ended the comeback effort. Kaaya finished the game 16-for- 31 for 224 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

With his 557 completions, Kaaya has now surpassed Gino Torretta (555) and Stephen Morris (551) to move into third place all-time. Kaaya needs 88 yards passing to overtake former Hurricane signal caller Stephen Morris for third on the all-time career passing yards list. Kaaya also needs just 191 yards to become the third quarterback in program history to pass for 8,000-or- more yards.

The Tar Heels jumped out to a commanding 10-0 early lead, scoring the first points allowed by Miami in the first quarter all season. North Carolina outgained Miami 461-363 overall. The Tar Heels converted 14 of 23 third downs, while Miami finished 4 of 15.

Since 2000, Miami owns a 17-3 record in games played on Thursday night. The Hurricanes lead the all- time series by a 20-13 count. Virginia Tech owns a 7-6 advantage in games held in Blacksburg. Miami’s last trip to Blacksburg in 2014 also was on Thursday night. The Hurricanes won that matchup by a 30-6.

Why Bet on Virginia Tech?

The Hokies (4-2) lost at Syracuse 31-17 on Saturday. The Hokies’ defense got off on the wrong foot, giving up two big plays in the first 15 minutes plus. Syracuse scored on a 58-yard touchdown pass over the top on its first drive and on an 84-yard trick play to open the second quarter, when running back Dontae Strickland pulled up and threw a deep pass to Brisly Estime. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster thought that affected the Hokies mentally the rest of the game, with players getting out of position trying to make plays.

The Hokies trailed for much of the game, but tied it early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jerod Evans to receiver Bucky Hodges. The touchdown cut the lead to 17-15, but the Hokies went for two points and converted when Evans found Chris Cunningham for the two, tying the game at 17 with 13:53 remaining. But Syracuse scored touchdowns on back-to- back possessions to seal the win. Evans completed 20 of 33, with two touchdown passes and one interception, as the Hokies finished with 468 total yards.

“They beat us in all three phases of the game. That falls on me,” Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente said. “We obviously didn’t play as well as we should have. And that’s obviously my responsibility.”

Isaiah Ford, who caught eight passes for 83 yards, recorded his 22nd career touchdown reception when he hauled in a 12-yard score from Evans. With that reception, he tied former Tech receiver Antonio Freeman for the school record in career touchdown receptions.

Tech has scored in 279 straight games, the sixth-longest active streak in the nation among FBS schools. It’s also the 10th longest streak ever in FBS history.

My Betting Pick

Hurricanes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Under is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Virginia Tech.

Miami is really banged up and these short turnarounds benefit the home side. Go Hokies.