In a perfect world, Virginia Tech would be unbeaten heading into Hard Rock Stadium for Friday’s ACC showdown against Miami. That’s not the case, but it will be a showcase for the nation’s second-highest scoring team.
The Hurricanes (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) welcome the Hokies (2-2, 1-3 ATS) into Miami Gardens for a game that was expected to be one of college football’s blockbuster matchups on the final weekend of September and still has its allure.
Miami is averaging 51 points per game, second behind only Ohio State. Heisman Trophy front-runner Cam Ward gets a national stage, coming in at +450 odds (DraftKings) to win the Heisman Trophy, which makes him the betting favorite ahead of Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (+500), Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (+700), Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava (+950) and Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel (+1000).
Ward enters the week leading the nation in TD passes (14) and is completing 72.4 percent of his passes, while becoming the toast of the town in South Florida.
Virginia Tech is looking for a spark after starting a season on the cusp of the Top 25 before immediately being upset at Vanderbilt. Following a pair of wins over Marshall and Old Dominion, the Hokies fell at home against Rutgers last week, which means dropping the conference opener for both schools (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) would dash all their hopes for the season inside the opening month.
Virginia Tech vs. Miami (FL) odds: Spread, moneyline, total for Week 4 college football matchup
Miami opened as a 16.5-point favorite moved to -19.5 in early wagering, before some buyback on the underdog Hokies. The total opened 56.5 before being bet down.
Here are live Week 4 college football betting odds for the Hokies vs. Hurricanes at top-rated online sportsbooks.
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Virginia Tech betting news and analysis
The Hokies went 2-4 in true road games last season, falling at nationally-ranked Florida State and Louisville by a combined 53 points. Virginia Tech covered against the Seminoles but was routed 31-3 by the Cards as a 9-point dog. Over head coach Brent Pry’s first two seasons, Virginia Tech is 1-7 as an underdog of eight or more points (4-4 ATS).
QB Kyron Drones is a dynamic dual threat with a great arm and a powerful running style, so if he can keep the chains moving and limit the Hurricanes’ time on the field, VT can hang around.
The Hokies will try to play keep away, so Drones and RB Bhayshul Tuten should have busy nights via the ground game. Tuten leads the ACC in rushing scores (7), and he forced 10 missed tackles in last week’s loss to Rutgers. The North Carolina A&T transfer is 21st nationally in rushing yards (391).
The visiting team has won four of the last five meetings in this series.
Miami (FL) betting news and analysis
The Hurricanes dominated Florida in Gainesville and South Florida in Tampa in their most impressive wins this season and crushed Florida A&M and Ball State by a combined margin of 118-9 at home, so this will be the first opportunity for UM fans to make a real difference.
The ‘Canes get LT Jalen Rivers and DE Rueben Bain back from injuries to anchor their lines.
Ward is one of four players with a passer rating of over 200. In Xavier Restrepo, he’s got one of the nation’s elite receivers, but Miami has seen 16 different players make catches. Isaiah Horton has one fewer reception (19) than Restrepo, who leads UM with five TD grabs.
Virginia Tech vs. Miami (FL) prop bets
Here is a sampling of Virginia Tech vs. Miami (FL) prop bets from DraftKings.
- Virginia Tech team total: Over 16.5 -125, Under 16.5 -110
- Miami (FL) team total: Over 36.5 -125, Under 36.5 -115
- Race to 20 points: Miami (FL) -800, VT +475, Neither +1400
- Total TDs: Over 6.5 -120, Under 6.5 -110
- UM’s Xavier Restrepo TD: Anytime -135, First +600
- VT’s Bhayshul Tuten TD: Anytime +125, First +1300
- 1H spread: Miami (FL) -10.5 (-102), VT +10.5 (-118) O/U: 28.5
Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech prediction: Ward to put Air Raid on display in rout
If it is not playing with an early lead, Virginia Tech’s ball control game plan will go out the window, which should make for a long night. Ward has thrown TD passes to both of his tight ends and key backs in addition to multiple receivers, so as long as conditions are dry following Helene’s impact on the Sunshine State on Thursday, he should put on a good show. Look for the Canes to win by 20-plus.