The Miami football team will hope to rebound after losing to Virginia Tech in a game they were favored by two touchdowns. Next up is ACC Coastal Division leader and favorite Virginia on Friday night.
Virginia comes to Hard Rock Stadium as the ACC Coastal Division favorite and first-place team at 2-0 in the ACC. The Cavaliers are coming off of a 35-20 loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago. Virginia was off last week. The Miami football team lost 42-35 to Virginia Tech last week after a disastrous 28-0 start.
The big news out of Coral Gables this week was Miami naming N’Kosi Perry as the starting quarterback against Virginia. Perry will replace starter Jarren Williams who was taken out of the game against Virginia Tech and will not play against Virginia because of a shoulder injury. Miami will face a tough Virginia defense.
The Cavaliers are 13th in the nation in total defense, but 40th in scoring defense. Virginia has allowed less than 20 points in all but two games this season. The loss to Notre Dame and in a 31-24 victory over Florida State in Charlottesville last month were the two biggest scoring outputs against the Cavaliers defense.
Any talk about the Virginia offense begins with Cavaliers QB Bryce Perkins. The redshirt junior does everything for Virginia. Perkins leads the Cavaliers in rushing in addition to passing. Virginia also has two adept receivers. Joe Reed leads Virginia with 35 receptions and four touchdown catches.
Hasise Dubois has 25 receptions, 334 yards and two TDs. Virginia is 54th in scoring offense and 96th in total offense. If the defense for the Miami football team can contain Perkins they will have a chance to win.