Virginia Tech offensive strategy plays into Miami defensive strength

Virginia Tech is 33rd nationally running on 56.78 percent of their offensive plays and averaging 39.75 rushing attempts per game. The Hokies' objective to run offensively plays right into the strength of Miami defensively. Miami is in the top 10 nationally in nearly every run defensive metric.

Miami is sixth nationally allowing 64.75 rushing yards per game and ninth with opponents averaging 2.47 yards per carry. Virginia Tech is 47th averaging 188.75 rushing yards per game and 63rd gaining 4.75 yards per attempt. The averages for Virginia Tech are far below where they rank to how often they run.

Miami should be able to stifle Virginia Tech and force them to throw. That is the exact game plan Miami utilized last week at South Florida. South Florida entered the game with Miami ranked eighth nationally averaging 268.75 rushing yards per game. Miami held South Florida to 62 yards on 32 carries and no touchdowns.

South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown ranked third nationally among signal callers averaging 84.67 rushing yards per game before playing Miami. Brown had 14 carries for 27 yards versus Miami. Three South Florida RBs combined for 15 carries for 41 yards for South Florida. South Florida averaged 3.2 YPC with sacks taken out.

Miami will have to contend with Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten are both threats on the ground. Tuten is 27th nationally and third in the ACC averaging 97.75 rushing yards per game. Drones is 16th in the ACC producing 52.25 rushing yards per game.

Backup RB Malachi Thomas showed his potential with nine carries for 52 yards when Virginia Tech beat Marshall 31-14. No other Virginia Tech RBs are likely to receive substantial carries versus Miami. Making Drones and the Virginia Tech offense one dimensional will be critical.

South Florida was forced out of their comfort zone offensively. The Bulls completed 26 passes in 43 attempts for 303 yards one TD and two interceptions. Miami held South Florida to a respectable 7.05 yards per attempt. South Florida entered the game averaging 29.67 passing attempts per game.

Virginia Tech is 96th nationally averaging 191.3 passing yards per game, 93rd with 27.0 pass attempts per game and 80th with 7.1 YPA. Miami is 17th allowing 5.2 YPA. The Hurricanes are also fifth with 34 tackles for loss and first with 16 sacks. Forcing Virginia Tech to pass will take them out of their comfort zone.