Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus stated that the "matchup to watch when Miami (FL) has the ball" is "Miami's offensive line against Virginia Tech’s pass rush." Chadwick noted Miami allows pressure on 16.5 percent of dropbacks in 2025, which is the lowest rate nationally.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck has an 83.5 percent adjusted completion rate when he is kept clean. That is the sixth-lowest rate in the Football Bowl Subdivision per Chadwick. Miami is sixth nationally, allowing 3.3 tackles per loss per game and eighth, permitting 0.9 sacks per game.
Chadwick expects Virginia Tech to present a challenge to the Miami offensive line. Virginia Tech is 24th in PFF pass rush grade. Hokies' defensive tackles Kody Huisman and Kemari Copeland are third and sixth among Power Four interior defenders in pass rush grade per Chadwick.
Virginia Tech edge rusher Ben Bell is sixth in the ACC with an 82.9 pass rush grade. Copeland is 24th in the ACC with 7.0 TFLs and 19th with 4.5 sacks. Copeland is only 0.5 sacks from being in ninth place in the ACC. Virginia Tech is 98th nationally, averaging 4.9 TFLs and 89t,h averaging 1.8 sacks per game
Can Virginia Tech get to Carson Beck?
The biggest issue for Virginia Tech will be if they can finish when rushing Beck. In a 34-14 loss at Florida State on Saturday, Virginia Tech had two QB hurries, four TFL and two sacks. Pressuring Beck is critical if Virginia Tech is going to have any chance to pull off the upset on Saturday.
Giving Beck time to throw could doom Virginia Tech. Chadwick noted the 57.0 PFF coverage grade for Virginia Tech is the fourth worst among Power Four teams. Virginia Tech is 68th, allowing 218.0 passing yards per game and 107th, permitting 7.8 yards per attempt.
The Hokies are 108th, allowing a 144.09 passer rating, 113th with opponents completing 65.9 percent of their passes and 115th with four interceptions. Virginia Tech does rank 48th with only 13 touchdown passes allowed in 10 games.