Taking a look at what’s going on at Miami
Virginia Tech started practice again yesterday, but the Hokies won’t have any post-practice interview availability until tomorrow night. To get the week started, though, I’ll do the usual post about Tech’s upcoming opponent, taking a first look at Miami.
Looking for a Twitter follow this week? Here are two: Susan Miller Degnan of The Miami Herald and Michael Casagrande of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Here is what’s going on with the Hurricanes …
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** Miami comes into the week in a similar situation to Virginia Tech, with a 4-4 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the ACC, a half game ahead of the Hokies in the ACC standings.
The ‘Canes are in a three-game losing skid that coincides with their schedule getting tougher. They’ve lost their last three games to No. 9 Notre Dame (41-3), North Carolina (18-14) and No. 14 Florida State (33-20). The loss to the Seminoles was closer than most thought — I’ve heard they were 20-point ‘dogs — but it was a sloppy game. Still, Miami hung around for three quarters.
** The Hurricanes are an intriguing team, young but talented. Fourteen players listed as starters on the depth chart are sophomores or younger, and that doesn’t include standout freshman running back Duke Johnson. There are only two seniors in the starting lineup — running back Mike James and cornerback Brandon McGee.
That might explain a lot of the teams ups and downs. They’ve won three shootouts with ACC teams, topping Boston College 41-31, Georgia Tech 42-36 in overtime and N.C. State 44-37.
But they’ve lost their three games against ranked teams — Kansas State, Notre Dame and FSU — by a combined score of 126-36. Granted, two of those teams are currently in the top five and the ‘Noles could climb back into the top 10 if they continue winning.
** The offense has a bunch of play-makers. Start with quarterback Stephen Morris, who has thrown for 2,219 yards and 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions this year. Half of those touchdowns came in a 566-yard performance against N.C. State. He’s followed it up with one touchdown and three picks in the last three games. Injuries and a tougher schedule probably factor into that.
Johnson is the real deal. The 5-foot-9, 183-pound freshman, who was Rivals’ No. 1 all-purpose back last year, is fourth in the ACC in all-purpose yards, averaging 137.9 per game. He has 470 rushing yards and five touchdowns and 215 receiving yards and another score. He’s also averaging 27.9 yards per kick return and took one back 95 yards for a touchdown.
James has 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Receivers Phillip Dorsett (34 catches, 523 yards, 3 TD) and Rashawn Scott (32 catches, 462 yards, 3 TD) are also threats.
Johnson suffered a foot injury against FSU and Morris had an ankle sprain that he played through. Both were practicing earlier this week.
Overall, Miami is better passing it (289 ypg, 23rd nationally, 3rd ACC) than running it (127.4 ypg, 92nd nationally, 8th ACC).
** The defense has been a train wreck. This is nothing like you’d imagine the ‘Canes to be. They are 114th nationally in total yards, giving up 499.1 per game. The last time that happened in Miami is …. never. In fact, the most yards per game the Hurricanes have ever allowed during the course of a season is 397.2 in 1997. For you non-math majors, this season is nearly 102 yards a game worse than that.
The fewest yards the ‘Canes have allowed against FBS competition this year was 419 against Georgia Tech. They’ve allowed 486 yards or more in five games, including 537 to Boston College, 592 to Notre Dame and 664 to N.C. State.
Miami has been its worst at stopping the run. Teams are running for 249.3 yards per game against the ‘Canes this year (this is 117th nationally but only second to last in the ACC, somehow ahead of Boston College). This too would shatter the school mark. Miami’s previous worse again came in 1997, when it allowed 219.9 yards per game on the ground.
The struggles stopping the run aren’t a product of the schedule. The ‘Canes have played eight games. Seven times opponents have topped the 200-yard mark. Notre Dame ran for 376. Kansas State ran for six touchdowns; Georgia Tech and Notre Dame both ran for five. For comparison’s sake, as down as Virginia Tech’s run defense has been this year, Miami has allowed 657 more yards and 13 more touchdowns this season.
And it’s not like the passing game has been good and that’s why people are running the ball. The ‘Canes are 83rd nationally in passing defense, allowing 249.9 yards per game. They’re 109th nationally in sacks, with 1.13 a game.
** As I’ve been saying all along, this game will probably decide the Coastal Division champion. Win and the ‘Canes are 4-2 in the league, with a game at Duke probably all that’s standing in their way to winning the division. If Tech wins and can just win the games it’s supposed to the rest of the way (BC, UVa), it will finish 5-3 in the league with head-to-head wins against Duke, Miami and Georgia Tech (UNC is ineligible).
With Duke having to face Florida State and Clemson the next two weeks and bound to come back to earth, it’s looking more and more likely that five league wins will give a team the conference title. Tech or Miami can take a big step in that direction next Thursday.
October 26, 2012 - 11:43 AM
The Miami defensive rankings will improve against the VT snooze and snore offense.
It’s really like you said, Andy, this game is the most critical one of the season. Miami has enjoyed ZERO home field advantage this season, but with it being a Thursday night ESPN game, if they EVER have a home field advantage, this will be the time. Of course, I’d still put the odds at no more than 40% they have any home field advantage. Their fan base has just totally checked out.
As for their bad rushing defense, our equally bad rushing offense kind of makes that a wash. Who knows, maybe we’ll finally have a RB rush more than 16 times in a game this season. For historical reference, our lead RB over the last decade or so has normally averaged 20+ carries a game. Averaged. This year, nobody on the RB squad has topped 16 even once. Actually, I think we’ve only had a RB top 12 carries four times this year. So if we take advantage of Miami’s real weakness on defense, I doubt it comes from rushing.
I’d guess that Stinespring will have O’Cain telling Thomas to pass the ball close to 40 times this game, hoping for a lot of long hitters. That won’t help time of possession, and might give Miami’s speed guys more chances to burn us with the long hitter, too. That’s probably our best hope, though.
Either way, this game is a real toss up. It’s hard to tell just what the Hokies will do. Obviously, they haven’t spent any extra practice time, since they just began to practice today.
I do find it interesting that Al Golden came in from totally outside the Miami ‘family’ & culture, and in only his second year has them back competing for a divisional title, and has established a solid core for the program. All while playing FOURTEEN freshmen & sophomores. Amazing what a fresh perspective from outside the ‘family’ can do, when given the opportunity.
Great. Another team with a terrible defense that will shut down the Hokies.
Didn’t Puke win against UNC??? Why are you so certain that they will falter against Clemson and Florida State?? I think it is more likely they will, but was not that the case against UNC??
The statistical savior for Miami’s anemic defense is headed down next Thursday. The Tech offense has allowed a number of statiscally weak defenses to improve their numbers. That won’t change, unless there is a really quick change in the philosophy in Blacksburg. Miami will likely set season bests in yards allowed, total and passing, because Tech can’t do anything against even the worst defenses.
I don’t care how bad Miami is against the run, they are going to get alot better statistically after they play VT.
As I recall, Clemson wasn’t too good against the run either.
David in Salem, I think FSU and Clemson are on a different level than anybody in the ACC. Duke’s 27 1/2-point underdogs at FSU. Probably will be close to the same against Clemson.
The Blue Devils are a nice little story and can compete with the 9 other also-rans of the ACC, but those two teams I think are on a different level, FSU’s loss to N.C. State notwithstanding.
25,000 fans or less? I’ll take less
“Miami has been its worst at stopping the run.”
Typically, this would be great for VT and what it likes to do on offense, but not this year. Look at how Clemson handled VT’s run game even though Clemson’s D-front is far from…umm…stellar. Ball St. rushed for 252 on Clemson. Auburn rushed for 180 on Clemson.
The “pounding it up the middle” with the run has to stop, or at least should only be tried seriously with Scales. JC Coleman is VT’s one true home run threat in the backfield but only in certain scenarios and “up the gut” sure as hell is not one of them.
I really really hope that after this game I do not hear, “Well you look at the stat sheet and we had 418 yds of offense, I mean that shows you are doing something right!”
I’m reminded that Miami will be the third ACC team we’ve faced that has been ranked 90th or worse in defense this year, IIRC. Weren’t both Duke & Clemson ranked about as badly on defense?
Is anybody in the ACC good on defense? Could it be that the Hokies, even in a down year defensively, are still the best ACC defense?
Just glad we don’t play WVU…………they have no defense either, but the offense would ring up about a 100 on us!
I’d like us to blow them out but don’t see it happening.
For some reason, the rules don’t always apply to Virginia Tech.
The maddening sport triangle? Didn’t applied to Virginia Tech. Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh, who beat Virginia Tech, and lost to Cincinnati.
Clemson had one of the worse defense, yet they actually slapped Virginia Tech around, instead of the other way around. This time, I blame it on the incompetent play-calling of O’Cain.
Next Thursday, I want to get all worked up, fired up, and amped for the Miami game. This time, I have become callused. I think the numbers just aren’t there to support Virginia Tech’s best-win scenario to beat Miami.
I don’t know what would be more embarrassing – losing to Miami or losing to Miami on a Thursday night, in front of a very, very sparse home crowd, and televised nationally.
Boy,
I needed a good laugh! I just got an e-mail from the VT ticket office for ordering tickets for the ACC championship game and VT bowl tickets.
What is in the Kool aid up there?
Just when I thought our running game was going to come around I remembered that even against horrible run defense VT can’t move the ball on the ground.
Here’s to hoping we can win by airing it out and the D plays a great game.
It sounds like Miami is a second rate D-1 team, but I think the Hokies will have their hands full. But, the way this season is going, VT will beat Miami and loose to BC. I am confident the offensive coaches at VT will screw it up as best they can.
Bob that shows class. They know we are that good. Even Andy here realizes the reality of the Coastal Div champs being located in Blacksburg. It feels good to know that people see the good in this team and know that they are the real deal. Thomas is going to explode soon and turn it up on the weak defenses he will see the next 4 weeks. Miami is so overrated and the Fla St Criminals too. Thug town here we come to conquer your weak team. We play well in the sunshine state.
Bob H, at least they did not waste some postage and paper to send you something. I got my ‘extortion’ mail packet from the Hokie Club office, informing me how me me how my membership had “expired” and if I didn’t renew ASAP, i could lose those precious seat locations I have. That pretty much pushed me over the top. I’m pretty much done.
Fire Stinkey Stiney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Other Tony is probably correct although I predict Miami will beat VT, mainly because of the Miami defense all over Logan Thomas for most of the night. But I predict VT will beat FSU and then the Hokies will lose to BC. Not a good year for VT on the road. For the Hokie dreamers, and that is the beauty of football competition, the Hokies can still win this Coastal thingie and end up in the championship game. If they get that far, then it would be believable that they could put together 4 quarters of good football and end up in the Orange Bowl against West Virginia or Georgia.
@BBAT: Which one of the Beamer’s are you? Class? You’re living in a fantasy world. You buy the tickets, then sit home and watch someone else play, nuckelhead!
When Va. tech decides to start implementing a different playbook scenario, other than up-the-gut and off tackle, maybe things will change…Hell, a tight end is a valuble weapon, but you`ll have to look back to the Strokowski/King eras to know that.
VT vs. Miami on a Thursday night and nobody but the most hopeful Hokies will be watching…….sad.
Canes win big here against Tech’s so so meek defense and offense .
Too many guys here with Beamer in their nick name. Can we be a bit more original?
Finally! Thank you Jeff!
I do believe I am the only one in here that can make the claim to the Beamer name all the rest are a bunch of wannabees. I dont need to be original because I am the best here. I have supported the team in thick and thin and would never say anything negative to one of the greatest minds in college football. Yeah we have had a struggle this year but in turn to be in position claim a BCS bowl berth with what we have dealt with as far as injuries and bad ref calls we should all be thankful that he is here. He will groom his son to be just like him and for the good of the team. Just have some respect for the man that built this great franchise and give im te credit he deserves!
The last year that VT ended the season unranked in either the AP or USA Today polls was 2003. To avoid ending this year unranked VT needs to begin a winning streak starting in Miami.
Tech wins over Miami, both are none directional and poorly prepared. This will be like a high school game.
Anybody watching Georgia-Florida game?? How about those Dogs!!! Win or loose.