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When it comes to examining football resumes, so far in the season, the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) have given no indication that they can get the job done. The Hokies have played two competitive teams, the Boston College Eagles and the Duke Blue Devils. Both contests resulted in losses for the Hokies, including a 10-45 massacre at the hands of Duke. Similarly, the Miami Hurricanes’ level play has stacked up on par with Virginia Tech’s. The Canes sit at 2-2 as well, after facing two formidable opponents in the Flordia Gators and North Carolina Tar Heels. Miami has also battled it out on the gridiron against two lower-tier opponents in the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and the Central Michigan Chippewas. One game was a slaughter and the other was an unconvincing win. This week, the Canes will have a chance to not only show off the progression they’ve made through the bye week but also get a much-needed ACC Coastal victory.
Jarren Williams: 300 Yards Passing & 2 TDs
In his last two winning performances, Jarren Williams’ attempts, completions, yards, and average yards per play, are almost identical. Jarren was 17 for 24, for 250 yards, and 1 TD vs CMU. Against BCU, he as 19 for 24, for 254 yards, and 3 TDs. The TD differential is what jumps out. The major difference in the games lies in one area; Jarren was sacked 4 times against CMU and 0 times against BCU. Protection will go a long way in projecting Jarren’s production against the Hokies. In his last ACC matchup, Jarren threw for 309 yards. The Hokies have allowed just 163 yards through the air per game. How do you think Jarren will fare on Saturday?
Poll
Jarren Williams: 300 Yards Passing
This poll is closed
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29%
Over
(43 votes) -
58%
Under
(85 votes) -
11%
Even
(17 votes)
Poll
Jarren Williams: 2 Passing TDs
This poll is closed
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36%
Over
(50 votes) -
10%
Under
(14 votes) -
52%
Even
(72 votes)
DeeJay Dallas: 100 Yards from Scrimmage
Contrary to the pass, the Hokies give up a booming number of yards on the ground. They’ve surrendered an average of 189 yards per game. DeeJay Dallas has averaged 85.7 yards on the ground per game this season. His carry total against CMU (14) matched the most he had in a game all year. However, Dallas could only muster up 34 yards. The battle in the trenches highly affected both phases of the offense. In their last game, VT nearly gave up 50 yards receiving to both Mataeo Durant (53) and Deon Jackson (45) out of the backfield. Dallas has the skillset to be dynamic as a running back and catching the ball.
Poll
DeeJay Dallas: 100 Yards from Scrimmage
This poll is closed
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74%
Over
(102 votes) -
14%
Under
(20 votes) -
10%
Even
(15 votes)
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving & 1 TD
Speaking of playmakers, Brevin Jordan returned to his explosive play ways against CMU. He had 3 catches for 70 yards. The talented sophomore TE has an average of 57.5 yards per game this season. His lowest showing came in the 63-0 blowout to BCU. Without that low-output game, Jordan’s average jumps to a staggering 77 yards. Duke TE Noah Gray had 6 catches for 50 yards and 2 TEs against VT. Jordan hasn’t scored since week 0. Is this the week he gets back in the end zone?
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving
This poll is closed
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72%
Over
(98 votes) -
5%
Under
(8 votes) -
21%
Even
(29 votes)
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 1 TD
This poll is closed
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17%
Over
(22 votes) -
5%
Under
(7 votes) -
76%
Even
(94 votes)
Will Mallory: 1 TD
Against CMU, Will Mallory put up his best statistical game in his young Canes career. The 6’5’ sophomore TE had 3 catches 59 yards. He also showed off his ability to get in the end zone against UNC. He has a massive height advantage. Mallory is taller than any defensive back on the Virginia Tech roster. He may get his chance to show off his vertical upper hand close to the goal line.
Poll
Will Mallory: 1 TD
This poll is closed
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5%
Over
(7 votes) -
56%
Under
(71 votes) -
37%
Even
(47 votes)
Jeff Thomas: 1 TD
Do you remember the drama of the offseason? Canes fans believed that we lost one of the most dynamic and explosive playmakers on the team. Once the drama of Jeff Thomas’ short-lived flirt with Illinois faded, the arrow for this offense pointed tremendously up. Depth at running back, talent at the TE position, a lightning-fast WR, and Dan Enos’ spread concepts were supposed to be the perfect cocktail for scoreboard success. Through four games, Thomas’ has averaged just 33 yards. He also has yet to score a TD. Dan Enos has to find a way to get a game-changer of his caliber the ball. Do you Thomas finally cashes in this week?
Poll
Jeff Thomas: 1 TD
This poll is closed
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10%
Over
(13 votes) -
32%
Under
(40 votes) -
56%
Even
(70 votes)
Defensive INT(s): 1
On Thursday night, Virginia Tech sophomore WR Tre Turner posted “First start Saturday 2,” and “No need for the talkin. Go Kill!” on his Instagram. The commentary was on top of a photo of redshirt sophomore quarterback Hendon Hooker. VT has officially made the switch from Ryan Willis to Hooker. Hooker has just thrown 3 passes during his time in Blacksburg. With Miami’s ability to get pressure and prowess to make a team one dimensional (ranked 6th against the run), the Hurricanes may get an INT in back-to-back games.
Poll
Defensive INT(s): 1
This poll is closed
-
58%
Over
(72 votes) -
8%
Under
(11 votes) -
32%
Even
(40 votes)
Rush Defense: Under 100 Yards Rushing & Pass Defense Under 250 Yards Passing
Miami gives up a third of the yards on the ground (59.8) as the Hokies (189) per game. With the switch at QB, a concerted effort to get the run game going will be a focal point for VT. The Canes are also just giving up over 209 yards per game through the air. Hooker is a dual-threat QB. He showed off his speed last season with a 69-yard TD run vs William & Mary. The rushing numbers could get a bump this week because of his legs. The confidence in Hooker’s arm wasn’t there last week as VT coach Justin Fuente rotated both Hooker and Quincy Patterson in the blowout loss. How do you think the Canes defense will do in containing VT’s offense?
Poll
Rush Defense: Under 100 Yards Rushing
This poll is closed
-
28%
Over
(32 votes) -
49%
Under
(56 votes) -
22%
Even
(26 votes)
Poll
Pass Defense Under 250 Yards Passing
This poll is closed
-
17%
Over
(19 votes) -
65%
Under
(69 votes) -
16%
Even
(18 votes)
Defensive Sacks: 4
Although Jonathan Garvin has managed to be third in the nation at generating pressures, Miami is tied for 29th in the nation in sacks (12). Outside of the game against the Florida Gators, Miami has gotten to the quarterback 3 ore more times in every other contest. Virginia Tech has surrendered just 8 sacks through 4 games, half of which, came against Furman. What kind of afternoon do you project for Gregory Rousseau, Scott Patchan, and company?
Poll
Defensive Sacks: 4
This poll is closed
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17%
Over
(19 votes) -
36%
Under
(39 votes) -
45%
Even
(49 votes)
Turnover Chain Appearances: 2
The Miami Hurricanes have forced 8 turnovers in 2019. In the last game, the turnover chain came out 3 times. The only game the team failed to force a turnover was against UNC. Virginia Tech has been careless with the ball all season. In the Boston College game, they had 5 turnovers ( 2 fumbles and 3 INTs). Old Dominion forced 2 fumbles and Furman collected a fumble and INT against them. In their blowout loss to Duke, VT’s newly crowned QB Hendon Hooker fumbled. Duke also had an INT. With Miami’s knack for forcing teams into mistakes, how many turnovers do you expect?
Poll
Turnover Chain Appearances: 2
This poll is closed
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46%
Over
(51 votes) -
8%
Under
(9 votes) -
45%
Even
(50 votes)
Total Points: 24 Points
Virginia Tech defense has also allowed the second-most points per game among ACC teams (28.5). Only the Florida State Seminoles have allowed more points to opponents (29.6 PPG). The Canes have averaged 31 points per game in 2019, with the team’s lowest output coming in their last performance. Do you think the team, with added days to prepare, can go beyond the horrible offensive display against CMU by a TD?
Poll
Total Points: 24 Points
This poll is closed
-
78%
Over
(94 votes) -
10%
Under
(13 votes) -
10%
Even
(12 votes)