The Miami football team will have a chance to make big plays when they host Virginia Saturday.
Virginia who usually has a stout defense under Bronco Mendenhall has frequently allowed big plays this season. The Cavaliers have allowed 119 points over their last three games. Virginia is among the worst teams nationally allowing plays over 20 and 30 yards. The Miami football team should be able to produce big plays against UVA.
Virginia is 68th with 28 plays allowed of 20 yards or more. The Cavaliers are 71st out of 79 FBS teams with 14 plays allowed of 30 yards or more. After struggling two weeks ago against Clemson, the Miami football team got back to producing big plays against Pittsburgh last week. Miami had three TD over 30 yards versus Pittsburgh.
Virginia is susceptible to allowing big plays against the run and the pass. The Cavaliers are 52nd with seven rushing plays allowed of 20 yards or more. Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall discussed the inconsistent play of the Cavaliers secondary this week. The Cavaliers are 66th allowing 21 pass plays of 20 yards plus.
Virginia is 73rd allowing 12 plays of 30 yards or more. Miami has had one of the most explosive offenses in college football in 2020. The Hurricanes are ninth with 14 plays from scrimmage this season of 30 yards or more, sixth with eight plays of 40 yards or more, seven in plays of 50 plays and fifth in 60 plus plays.
The players to watch for Miami against Virginia to create big plays are running backs Cam Harris and Jaylan Knighton, tight end Will Mallory who will likely start in place of injured Brevin Jordan and wide receiver Dee Wiggins. Harris, Mallory and wide receiver Mike Harley all had TDs of at least 35 yards against Pittsburgh.
Miami might also be able to make a big play or two on defense against a Virginia offense that thrown multiple interceptions in all four games this season. Miami scored the TDs by Harley, Harris and Mallory after gaining good field position. The Miami offense has made big plays in position to score.