The Miami football program begins the first of a key three-game stretch of ACC Games at home when they host Virginia Tech Saturday afternoon. The Hokies are come off of a 45-10 loss to Duke last Friday.
The Miami football team has had a tenuous beginning to the 2019 season. After losses to Florida and North Carolina to begin the season the Hurricanes had an expected 63-0 blowout of FCS Bethune-Cookman three weeks ago. The 17-12 victory over Central Michigan that followed was disappointing.
The Miami offense scored on the first drive of each half against Central Michigan and was virtually anemic for the rest of the game. The Hurricanes offense has to be more consistent or 2019 could turn into a repeat of 2018. Miami had a championship defense last season but its struggles on offense led them to finish 7-6.
The Hurricanes offense is 62nd in scoring at 31.3 points per game and 64th in total offense at 420 yards per game. The Virginia Tech offense has been worse than Miami. The Hokies are 99th in scoring, averaging 23.3 PPG. Virginia Tech is 100th in total offense at 363.5 yards per game. Both teams have improvements to make.
Virginia Tech’s defense is ranked higher nationally, but they have struggled in their two ACC Games. The Hokies are second to last overall in scoring in the conference allowing 28.5 points per game. Only Florida State is worse at 29.6 PPG. In ACC games against Boston College and Duke Virginia Tech allowed a combined 80 points.
The Hokies travel to Miami Gardens coming off their worst home loss in 45 years. Duke took Virginia Tech to the woodshed in a 45-10 victory. Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter the Blue Devils offense erupted for 21 points in the second to take a 21-3 lead into halftime. Duke outgained Virginia Tech 422-259.