The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes host the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night to open Atlantic Coast Conference play.
The Hurricanes (4-0) have been one of the most dominant teams through four weeks, owning a 4-0 record and averaging over 50 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Hokies (2-2) haven't lived up to the preseason hype, dropping games to Vanderbilt and Rutgers.
Let’s dive into the action and get to my Virginia Tech vs. Miami predictions and college football picks for Friday, Sept. 27.
Virginia Tech vs Miami Prediction
My Virginia Tech vs. Miami best bet is for Miami to go over its first half team total, which is set at 19.5 points.
- Pick: Miami 1H Team Total Over 19.5
Virginia Tech vs Miami Odds
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+19.5 -110 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | +650 |
| Miami Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-19.5 -110 | 54.5 -110 / -110 | -1000 |
- Virginia Tech vs Miami Point Spread: Virginia Tech +19.5 (-110) · Miami -19.5 (-110)
- Virginia Tech vs Miami Total: Over/Under 54.5
- Virginia Tech vs Miami Moneyline: Virginia Tech +650 · Miami -1000
Virginia Tech vs Miami Preview
Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Preview: Hokies Off Track Early
Coming into the season, Virginia Tech was a popular pick to win the conference and make a run at the College Football Playoff. The Hokies brought back 21 starters from a team that won five of its final seven games a year ago.
However, it hasn't gone according to plan for coach Brent Pry’s team. The season started with a disappointing loss at Vanderbilt in the opener, then Virginia Tech dropped its final non-conference matchup to Rutgers last week.
Luckily for Virginia Tech, neither of those defeats came in ACC play. So, everything is still in front of the Hokies to make a run at the conference title.
If that is going to happen, Pry needs running back Bhayshul Tuten to continue to play well. Tuten racked up three touchdowns against Rutgers and has eight scores on the year.
On the defensive side of the ball, Antwaun Powell-Ryland has been the King of Sacksburg. He leads the FBS in sacks with six, and the Hokies are tied for 10th in the country in sacks as a team.
Miami Hurricanes Betting Preview: Can Ward Keep Rolling?
If the notion is that Virginia Tech hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations, the same can't be said for Miami. Coach Mario Cristobal has the Hurricanes rolling.
It started with the dominant opening-week victory on the road at in-state rival Florida. The wins that have followed have come against weaker opposition, but you can’t argue with how Miami has played.
In the four victories, the average margin of victory has been 42 points. This mark only trails Ole Miss, Tennessee, Ohio State and Texas this season.
Outside of the team’s media attention, quarterback Cam Ward is starting to gain traction as the potential Heisman Trophy winner. In fact, the former Washington State quarterback is the favorite at FanDuel to win the award.
If he continues his current pace, he’ll have a great shot to receive an invite to New York and lead his team to the CFP.
Virginia Tech vs Miami Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Virginia Tech and Miami match up statistically:
Virginia Tech Offense vs. Miami Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 78 | 37 | |
| Line Yards | 54 | 14 | |
| Pass Success | 109 | 6 | |
| Havoc | 115 | 2 | |
| Finishing Drives | 52 | 17 | |
| Quality Drives | 92 | 25 | |
Miami Offense vs. Virginia Tech Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 20 | 59 | |
| Line Yards | 12 | 63 | |
| Pass Success | 7 | 65 | |
| Havoc | 5 | 30 | |
| Finishing Drives | 16 | 19 |  |
| Quality Drives | 8 | 53 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 65 | 4 |
| PFF Coverage | 71 | 4 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 42 | 64 |
| Middle 8 | 77 | 5 |
| Seconds per Play | 27.0 (60) | 29.2 (102) |
| Rush Rate | 60% (41) | 48% (95) |
Virginia Tech vs Miami Pick & Prediction
For this game, I think the line has gone a bit too far on Miami, but I’m also not looking to back the visitors. It ultimately comes down to the right way to back the favorite, and I feel I've found that.
So, my best bet is for the Hurricanes to fly over their team total in the first half, which is set at 19.5 points at DraftKings at -130 odds. I would play this up to 20.5 at -120.
For starters, Miami has topped this in every opening half so far this season.
Meanwhile, the Hokies have struggled at the start of games. Against both Power 4 opponents, they were losing at halftime — by 14 points at Vanderbilt and nine against Rutgers.
It also doesn’t help that Virginia Tech's defense is ranked outside the top 65 in both pass success and PFF’s coverage rating.
Speaking of the defense, it could have a sluggish start after being on the field for most of last week's loss as the Scarlet Knights' offense won the time-of-possession battle and had the ball for over 39 minutes.
I know there are fears of bad weather rolling through this area of the country, but it should be beyond Miami by the opening kick. So, I’m expecting Ward and the Hurricanes to keep their fine season going.
Pick: Miami 1H Team Total Over 19.5 (Play to 20.5)
How to Watch Virginia Tech vs Miami Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Hard Rock Stadium |
| Date: | Friday, Sept. 27 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Virginia Tech vs Miami Betting Trends
- Virginia Tech is 2-2 in its past four games
- Virginia Tech is 1-3 against the spread in its past four games
- Miami is 4-0 in its past four games
- Miami is 3-1 against the spread in its past four games
Virginia Tech vs Miami Weather
