College Football Betting: Miami-FL at Virginia Tech
Two ACC teams in something of a ‘down year’ will meet on Thursday night as the University of Miami heads north to take on Virginia Tech. Both teams are 4-3 SU but just 1-2 in conference. VaTech is coming off a 21-16 loss to Pittsburgh while Miami-FL ripped Cincinnati 55-34 in their last game.
Both teams are 3-4 against the spread and at first glance appear to be a ‘coinflip’. We don’t think so. Of particular concern is Miami’s poor play on the road this season. To be fair they played three good teams on the road and were underdogs in all three. Still, it’s not like Georgia Tech, Louisville and Nebraska are in powerhouse mode at the moment. Miami is 0-3 SU/ATS away from South Florida this year and are just 6-7 SU/ATS since 2012. Virginia Tech is just 1-3 ATS at home this season but all four home games were in the early part of the schedule and we won’t argue with the assertion that the Hokies were overpriced early.
Miami’s offense looks to be improving but their defense is our primary concern. The ‘canes have allowed an average of 33 PPG against away from home while VaTech has allowed 22 PPG against at home. The Hokies offense has sputtered at times this season but should have an easier time moving the ball against a Miami defense that really hasn’t been able to stop anyone this year. At the same time Miami might be feeling a little too good about themselves and particularly in their ability to put points on the board. They might be in for a rude awakening against a stout VaTech defense. We also like Hokies’ defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s ability to develop a solid tactical plan to stop Miami.
The last two games in this series were played in Miami with each team winning and covering once. Historically, the Hokies have dominated Miami on their home field going 7-3 SU/ATS in the last 10 meetings. Given Miami’s poor showing on the road this year and the Hokies’ superior defense we’ll gladly take the points with the home side. Look for Virginia Tech to win this game outright.
BET VIRGINIA TECH +3 OVER MIAMI-FL
