The Miami football team will travel to Virginia Tech on Saturday.
The Miami football team will try for its fourth straight victory when they play at Virginia Tech on Saturday. Miami is 6-1 this season and 5-1 in the ACC. Virginia Tech enters the game 4-3, 4-2 in the ACC. Miami is coming off of an exciting 44-41 victory over North Carolina State last Friday. Virginia Tech lost 38-35 to Liberty.
The visiting team has won the last two games in the series. Virginia Tech won 42-35 in 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami lost decisively 38-14 in Blacksburg in 2018. The Hurricanes will be playing just its second daytime game this season. Miami defeated Pittsburgh 31-19 four weeks ago at home.
Virginia Tech has lost two of their last three games after the disappointing loss to the Flames last week. The Hokies ran a blocked field goal back for a touchdown with eight seconds remaining but had called timeout before the kick making the play dead. Liberty kicked the game-winning field goal two plays later.
The Miami football team needs to keep winning to keep its dim hopes alive to earn a spot in the ACC Championship game and to potentially earn a berth in a New Year’s Six Bowl Game. The Hurricanes 2017 Orange Bowl appearance is the only time Miami has played in a major bowl game over the last 15 years.
"Game InformationSaturday, November 14, 2020, 12 p.m. ET | ESPN2Blacksburg, Va., Lane Stadium (66,233)#9/#9 MIAMI HURRICANES (6-1, 5-1 ACC)HEAD COACH: Manny Diaz (Florida State, 1995) | CAREER: 12-8 (second season) | AT MIAMI: 12-8 (second)VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES (4-3, 4-2 ACC)HEAD COACH: Justin Fuente (Murray State, 1999) | CAREER: 63-46 (ninth season) | AT VA TECH: 37-33 (fifth)Courtesy of MiamiHurricanes.Com"
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente is 2-2 in four prior meetings with Miami including 1-0 against current Miami head coach Manny Diaz. The Hurricanes won 28-10 in 2017 and Virginia Tech defeated Miami 37-16 in 2016 in Blacksburg. Miami and Virginia Tech both enter this weekend with question marks about their rosters.
Miami was without 11 players in its win last week at North Carolina State. Virginia Tech has had several players miss time this season with COVID related issues. Hokies running back Khalil Hebert missed most of the loss to Liberty last week after being injured on the opening kickoff. Herbert is questionable for Saturday.
Junior tight end Brevin Jordan has been out the last three games for Miami. Jordan did not return as expected against NC State. Diaz was hopeful this week during his press conferences that Jordan will be able to play against Virginia Tech. Jordan was leading Miami in receptions and receiving yards at the time of his injury.
"Broadcast Information:Television (ESPN2)• Roy Philpott (play by play)• Kelly Stouffer (color)• Eric Wood (sidelines)Flagship Radio (560 WQAM)• Joe Zagacki (play-by-play)• Don Bailey, Jr. (color)• Josh Darrow (sidelines)Spanish Radio (Unanimo Deportes)• Alfredo Alvarez (play-by-play)• Jose Martinez (color)"
Diaz spoke this week about the need for Miami to take every opponent seriously and avoid arrogance. Virginia Tech has been Miami’s most consistent conference rival over the past 30 years. Playing a noon game in front of a sparse crowd the Hurricanes have to be self-motivated and ready and ready for Virginia Tech.
The same will still be watched by a wide audience on ESPN. Miami has to keep winning to obtain its goals from the beginning of the season. D’Eriq King had a legendary performance last Friday in Raleigh. If Miami can win out the Hurricanes can have a special season in one of the nation’s most prestigious bowl games.