Virginia Tech vs Miami Odds & Picks Week 5: 'Canes To Cover

Miami is a 17-point favorite over Virginia Tech on Friday night in South Florida, as the Hurricanes look to continue an early-season barrage that’s seem them bury one opponent after another—and stay perfect ATS against FBS opponents in the process.

Virginia Tech, viewed as a dark horse ACC contender in the preseason, has struggled to a 2-2 start that’s included outright losses to Vanderbilt and Rutgers. The Hokies haven’t beaten a power conference opponent yet this season, and are a mere 1-3 ATS.

Virginia Tech vs Miami Odds

Matchup Page: Virginia Tech vs Miami FL, 7:30 pm ET

Odds as of September 23

Virginia Tech vs Miami Picks – Week 5

Slow starts, turnovers and special teams miscues have plagued the Hokies through the first four weeks of the season. They fell behind 17-0 to Vanderbilt and 23-7 to Rutgers—do that against the Hurricanes, and they’re likely to get run out of Hard Rock Stadium. How do they fix it? “I have no clue,” running back Bhayshul Tuten told The News Virginian after the Rutgers loss, which hardly inspires confidence from a sports betting standpoint.

Meanwhile there’s Miami, which hasn’t yet played a team with a winning record, but continues to take care of business at an impressive clip. Quarterback Cam Ward leads the nation with 14 touchdown passes, and the Hurricanes rank fourth nationally in scoring at 52.2 points per game. They got a bit of a tussle last week at South Florida, which led 15-14 late in the first half, but responded with 36 unanswered points.

It's easy to see where this is going. Virginia Tech has a nice rushing attach, but extremely limited quarterback play that makes its offense very one-dimensional. Miami has the sixth-best rushing defense in the nation, allowing 64.8 yards per game. And the Hurricanes also have Ward and that far superior offense, which should make the difference in an ACC opener that doesn’t look nearly as challenging now as it did on the schedule in August.

Virginia Tech vs Miami Week 5 Pick: Miami -17

The Hurricanes pushed on a 65-point total at USF after going OVER the number in their first two games this season against FBS opponents. Virginia Tech, thanks to a defense that lets foes run out to big leads early, has also gone OVER in three of its first four. We’ll stick with that trend, and put our faith in Miami’s relentless offense on Friday night.

Virginia Tech vs Miami Week 5 Pick: OVER 55.5

*picks made as of Monday, September 23 at 11:30 am ET

Virginia Tech vs Miami News

Miami coach Mario Cristobal seemed optimistic early this week that two injured starters would return against the Hokies. Left tackle Jalen Rivers and defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. have been out since the opener against Florida due to undisclosed injuries. “We’re right there with them,” Cristobal told a Miami radio station, according to The Miami Herald. “They look great. They’re moving around great. They’re doing great things in practice.” At Virginia Tech, starting safety Jalen Stroman has been out since being injured against Vanderbilt, and appears unlikely to return against Miami.

Virginia Tech vs Miami Prop Pick: Damien Martinez Anytime TD (-175)

Ward and the Miami passing game may steal the spotlight, but it’s all complemented by a ground attack that saw Martinez rush for three scores against South Florida. That’s a bad matchup for the Hokies, who were gashed for three rushing touchdowns last weekend against Rutgers.

Virginia Tech vs Miami Betting Trends