First, I wanted to thank spang for his words in my last thread. Truely appreciate it buddy and GL to you this week.
Miami (-2.5) over VT
BIG play for me. VT needed a big special teams play and a last second blown coverage 80 yard pass to set up the TD on the final drive to beat Nebraska. Miami's O-line has shown me a ton this season. They create a great pocket and the ability to allow Harris time is not as important as letting the recievers have the time to open up their routes. Miami has played At FSU so they know tough enviorments, they beat GT so they know how to stop the run, they are in position to take a HUGE step in the ACC and this team is ready. Not only have they been sharp but they are starting to get that swagger back and a team with confidence is a very tough team to beat regardless of location. Another plus is GT just like VT has one tremendous D-lineman, VT its Worilds and GT it was Morgan. Miami used a lot of different looks to keep him tired and less agressive on the rush and they should be able to do the same aginst VT. I like Miami has seen two aggressive defenses so they know how to handle odd looks and in both games they were able to run and throw and they have an O-cordinator that has a great understanding of the players he has to use. Last week I thought a big match up was on the offensive side of the ball but this week I think it is on the defensive side with the Miami defense against a poor VT o-line. VT had 60 plays against Neb and added up only 278 total yards. Nebraska threw for 200 and rushed for 100 plus. So what happened, well Nebraska dominated the game but could do nothing in the redzone. The huskers had to settle for 5 FG's on the day 4 of them were from inside or around the twenty five yard line! Not to mention the FIRST and GOAL from the 3 that ended up in a PUNT for nebrasaka because of self mistakes. The huskers had every oppertunity to win and did not come away with it. Now the Miami offense should be able to turn that type of field position into points and get ahead for VT. This means Taylor might have to throw more and the VT offense is not meant to have to come back, they will not be able to do that in this game. I think this VT team is a lot of smoke and mirrors, they got lucky to get pasted Nebraska and I am sure they will have some let down to start this game. They have the crowds emotion but the Hokie faithfull are getting more angry per play and you could hear some of the boo's starting as Taylor refused to run and take advantage vs space. I think the Miami speed will limit that space even more and the rotation on D-line will keep fresh pressure on VT offensive backfield forceing a run team to look else where in order to be productive. Then Miami will wear the Hokies down on offense and the time they spend on offense leads to points putting a VT offense behind the eight ball and out of rythem. I tried to get this at -1.5 BIG but then it jumped immediately to 2.5 so this is a big play there as well. Also Nebraska ran the ball VERY well I can see Cooper and James doing the same while the speed of the Miami recievers make big plays as VT is built to play out of position and hope the big plays in special teams go their way.
Cheers
Irish
Miami (-2.5) over VT
BIG play for me. VT needed a big special teams play and a last second blown coverage 80 yard pass to set up the TD on the final drive to beat Nebraska. Miami's O-line has shown me a ton this season. They create a great pocket and the ability to allow Harris time is not as important as letting the recievers have the time to open up their routes. Miami has played At FSU so they know tough enviorments, they beat GT so they know how to stop the run, they are in position to take a HUGE step in the ACC and this team is ready. Not only have they been sharp but they are starting to get that swagger back and a team with confidence is a very tough team to beat regardless of location. Another plus is GT just like VT has one tremendous D-lineman, VT its Worilds and GT it was Morgan. Miami used a lot of different looks to keep him tired and less agressive on the rush and they should be able to do the same aginst VT. I like Miami has seen two aggressive defenses so they know how to handle odd looks and in both games they were able to run and throw and they have an O-cordinator that has a great understanding of the players he has to use. Last week I thought a big match up was on the offensive side of the ball but this week I think it is on the defensive side with the Miami defense against a poor VT o-line. VT had 60 plays against Neb and added up only 278 total yards. Nebraska threw for 200 and rushed for 100 plus. So what happened, well Nebraska dominated the game but could do nothing in the redzone. The huskers had to settle for 5 FG's on the day 4 of them were from inside or around the twenty five yard line! Not to mention the FIRST and GOAL from the 3 that ended up in a PUNT for nebrasaka because of self mistakes. The huskers had every oppertunity to win and did not come away with it. Now the Miami offense should be able to turn that type of field position into points and get ahead for VT. This means Taylor might have to throw more and the VT offense is not meant to have to come back, they will not be able to do that in this game. I think this VT team is a lot of smoke and mirrors, they got lucky to get pasted Nebraska and I am sure they will have some let down to start this game. They have the crowds emotion but the Hokie faithfull are getting more angry per play and you could hear some of the boo's starting as Taylor refused to run and take advantage vs space. I think the Miami speed will limit that space even more and the rotation on D-line will keep fresh pressure on VT offensive backfield forceing a run team to look else where in order to be productive. Then Miami will wear the Hokies down on offense and the time they spend on offense leads to points putting a VT offense behind the eight ball and out of rythem. I tried to get this at -1.5 BIG but then it jumped immediately to 2.5 so this is a big play there as well. Also Nebraska ran the ball VERY well I can see Cooper and James doing the same while the speed of the Miami recievers make big plays as VT is built to play out of position and hope the big plays in special teams go their way.
Cheers
Irish