Carter Bahns of 247Sports named Virginia Tech on September 27 as the Hurricanes' biggest trap game in 2024. After playing for 30 consecutive seasons, Miami and Virginia Tech did not play in 2023. Miami has won 25 games and lost 15 all-time versus Virginia Tech.
Miami will enter the game versus Virginia Tech in September with a three-game winning streak versus the Hokies and with victories in seven of its last nine games in the series. Virginia Tech last won in Miami 42–35 in 2019. Miami rallied from a 28-0 deficit in the 2019 game to tie the game at 35 before losing.
Virginia Tech is considered a team to watch in the ACC in 2024. The Hokies return starting quarterback Kyron Drones. Virginia Tech Cornerback Dorian Strong and defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles are ranked in the top 10 at their positions in the ACC by Pro Football Focus entering the 2024 season.
Virginia Tech also returns its top pass rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland in 2024. Powell-Ryland was sixth in the ACC with 14.5 tackles for loss and second with 9.5 sacks in 2023. Virginia Tech was third as a team in TFLs and second in sacks in 2023 led by Powell-Ryland.
"Biggest trap game: Virginia Tech, Sept. 27Carter Bahns, 247Sports
The home game against Virginia Tech is the exact kind of hurdle the Hurricanes have to jump. This is the caliber of contest that Miami teams of the last few years would lose...(Virginia Tech) hey will be an extremely tough out for most of their opponents...A slip-up here would be highly detrimental to the Canes' CFP aspirations."
The Virginia Tech at Miami game is the ACC opener for both teams. Virginia Tech finished 7-6 overall in 2023 and 5-3 in the ACC, tied for fourth place with Georgia Tech. Miami was 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the ACC in. Miami is 23rd and Virginia Tech 50th in the preseason ESPN football power index ratings.
Miami has been the consensus pick to finish third in the ACC in 2024 behind Clemson and Florida State. Virginia Tech is in the next tier of teams projected to finish fourth or fifth. Miami plays at Florida, versus Florida A&M and Ball State and at South Florida in its 2024 non-conference games.
Playing rivalry games in consecutive weeks is a challenging task. South Florida is an instate game on the road that will be important for the Bulls. Miami has to play Virginia Tech on a short week after playing on the road the week before. The stretch of South Florida and Virginia Tech will challenge Miami.
Miami has three potentially emotion-draining games in their first five with Florida in the season opener and the games against South Florida and Virginia Tech. Far too often in recent history, Miami has seemed to look past their opponent. Hopefully in the ACC opener at Hard Rock Stadium in a night game. Miami will be ready for Virginia Tech.