Hokie ClubHeading into the ACC opener, Virginia Tech and Miami each look to kickstart their conference campaigns when they meet inside Hard Rock Stadium on Friday evening. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. E.T., with the game set to air on ESPN.
Battle In The Trenches
Facing off against an offensive line that’s yet to show a weakness so far this season, Tech’s defensive front will be up against its toughest test to date when the two squads do battle on Friday night.
Paced by standout defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who leads the nation in sacks with six on the year, the Hokies find themselves tied for 10th nationally in sacks in 2024, racking up 13 overall and putting up just over three per game.
On the flip side, the Hurricanes have only allowed three sacks four games in – good for the third few-st in the ACC (Georgia Tech and Louisville) – and haven’t allowed a single sack in the last two weeks. To counter, Tech posted three total sacks in last week’s setback to Rutgers and boasted five in the week prior’s victory over Old Dominion.
Can’t Tackle Tuten
It’s easy to see why Bhayshul Tuten continues to showcase why he’s one of the nation’s best at the running back position.
Currently possessing an ACC-best seven touchdowns and 391 yards on the ground, Tuten leads the nation with 24 total missed tackles so far this season – according to Pro Football Focus. On top of that, the Paulsboro, New Jersey, native is averaging 4.45 yards after contact – good for second in the conference.
Miami’s defensive front will present some challenges, though. The Hurricanes rank sixth nationally in rushing defense, giving up just 65 yards a game and surrendering only 2.47 yards per carry. Both of those translate to second in the ACC, only behind Stanford – next week’s Tech opponent.
The Rivalry Renewed
It goes without saying that the Hokies and Hurricanes consistently would hash it out at the top of conference play year in and year out dating back to the Big East days.
After not meeting last year for the first time since 1991, Tech and Miami find themselves on the gridiron once again – facing off in South Florida for the first time since 2021.
Since both programs entered the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes hold a slight 10-9 advantage overall in the series, with the two sides having split the 10 meetings in Miami Gardens since both programs joined the conference.
To add on to that, Tech eyes its first top-10 win since a 17-10 victory over No. 10 North Carolina in 2021, and has the opportunity to kick off conference play with a bang by pulling off a major upset on the road.
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