Virginia Cavaliers (4-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (4-3, 2-2 ACC)
Sun Life Stadium, Miami FL
Thursday, Oct. 27, 8:00 pm EST
NCAA Odds from Sportsbook.com:
MoneyLine: Virginia +420, Miami-Fl -588
Spread: Virginia +13.5, Miami-Fl -13.5
Over/Under: 48
“The U” doesn’t have the same bite to its reputation that it had in the late 1980s or at the turn of the last decade, but the Hurricanes are still a better team than their record suggests. The Cavaliers have at least matched expectations with their play, but do they have enough talent to keep up with Miami?
The ’Canes are coming off two nice wins against conference foes, 30-24 at North Carolina and 24-7 versus Georgia Tech. Embattled QB Jacory Harris is playing within himself this season and has an efficient 12-4 TD/INT ratio in 2011. The senior needed to cut down on his turnovers and he’s done exactly that. The Miami offense is diversified thanks to RB Lamar Miller, the sophomore has just under 800 rushing yards on the year to go with six majors.
For Virginia’s part, it’s been a bit of a see-saw affair. The Cavs have a nice win over Georgia Tech, but have come up short against UNC, Southern Miss and NC State. Sophomore pivot Michael Rocco is learning under fire this year and the offense has been only average. The bulk of the production comes from the RB duo of Perry Jones and freshman Kevin Parks. Considering Virginia has been at the bottom of the ACC table for several seasons now, its record is not too shabby. For the season to be a real success, however, the Cavs must get a couple wins against legitimate conference and divisional foes.
This will be a tall order playing the Hurricanes, unless Harris reverts back to his 2010 self (he threw more interceptions, 15, than touchdowns, 14, last season). The ’Canes have been one of several college programs to have a litany of infractions and violations with the NCAA lately but new head coach Al Golden is trying to navigate the stormy waters and get Miami back to national prominence. Injuries have also plagued The U – the team expects starting CB Brandon McGee back for this Thursday’s game, but starters Marcus Forston (DT) and Ramon Buchanan (LB) are out for the year with ailments, and starting WR Aldarius Johnson has been suspended indefinitely for violating “team rules”.
There is no doubt that the road has been bumpy for Miami, especially lately. Former coach Randy Shannon was not able to deliver on his promises, and Golden was perhaps left with a steaming pile of crud in his lap. Yet the talent is still present on the roster, and Miami only narrowly missed its last two losses to Kansas State (28-24 L) and conference giant Virginia Tech (38-35 L). If Harris continues to play intelligent football, the talent and speed is enough on both sides of the ball for the ’Canes to again be an ACC competitor.
Miami’s defense has been pretty stout even with the attrition, so Jones and Parks may find it tough sledding on the ground and Rocco could well be prone to errors (it doesn’t help that starting WR Matt Snyder is out with a foot injury). Rocco is progressing well as a starting pivot and it certainly hasn’t gone as bad as it could have thus far for the Cavaliers, but the less talented visitors from Charlottesville will probably be exposed by the home side.
Virginia may be moving out of the conference basement and as far as Miami is concerned, things are far from perfect in Coral Gables. But grabbing another conference win is a further baby step for the ’Canes and they should do it in front of a TV audience Thursday night.
Score Prediction: Miami 31, Virginia 16
Over/Under Prediction: 47
