NCAA Week 11 Miami at Virginia Tech Pick and Betting Preview
Oddsmakers Setting the Trap on #9 Hurricanes?
The Hurricanes look like a very favorable wager heading into the Miami at Virginia Tech pick for the NCAA week 11 slate. Miami is 6-1, and has risen to #9 in the AP top 25 but are still a +1.5 underdog on the road in Blacksburg. The Hokies are favored, despite a 38-35 loss at home to Liberty last week as -17 point favorites.
Miami is drawing a modest 57% of public betting, which is understandable considering Virginia Tech should be angry after last week’s embarrassing loss. VT also beat the Hurricanes 42-35 on the road last season as +14 underdogs. Even so, D’Eriq King and Miami look to be in the midst of a special year, do you ride the mojo?
Ride With the King
There isn’t a much more solid player in the nation to ride with a wager than Miami’s D’Eriq King. The Houston transfer had to be great in a shootout with NC State last week – and he was going 31/41 for 430 yards and 5 TD, while adding 105 more yards on the ground. The Heisman candidate has completed 70+ percent of his passes the last two games, and has 16 TD to 4 INT in 2020.
The Hokies have a great playmaker of their own at QB, but Manny Diaz’ team looks to be more well-rounded on offense heading into the Miami at Virginia Tech pick. Mike Harley has shown great chemistry with King the last two games, catching 18 balls for 323 yards and 3 TD over that span. Mark Pope also had his best game of the year last time out, catching 6 passes for 97 yards and a TD.
The Virginia Tech defense gave up 38 points and 249 rushing yards to Liberty last week, so Miami’s offense will get theirs on Saturday. The big concern is Miami’s defense against the Hokies offense, and it’s why the betting total is up to a seismic 68.5. The ‘Canes have held 3 of the last 5 opponents to 20 points or less, but gave up 41 to NC State a week ago.
Virginia Tech Needs Help
Despite the big upset loss to Liberty last week, Hendon Hooker was great with 217 yards and 3 TD passing and another 156 with a score on the ground. The only problem with that is that the Virginia Tech QB accounted for 373 of the team’s 418 total yards.
The main question facing Justin Fuente’s team is if the shocking upset to Liberty last week was an anomaly – or the sign of a team in a rut. VT beat Louisville 42-35 two games ago as -5.5 road favorites, but that’s also a 2-5 Cardinals team. In week 8, Virginia Tech lost 23-16 against Wake Forest as -10.5 road favorites. Wake has a good squad, but so does Miami.
On the positive note for Virginia Tech, they beat Miami 42-35 last season at Hard Rock Stadium as two TD road underdogs. Hooker was just 10/20 passing, but had 3 TDs passing and one on the ground in his first collegiate start. Of course, the ‘Canes also didn’t have King at quarterback in last season’s game as he was with Houston.
Free Miami at Virginia Tech Pick
The bait is set on the Hurricanes for this matchup, but how can you go against Miami’s offense in a game against a team that lost to Liberty last week? For all the problems the Hurricanes had in letting up 41 points to NC State last week, this is also a Hokies defense that allowed 56 points and 399 yards rushing earlier in the year to North Carolina.
Miami 38 – Virginia Tech 31
Free Pick: Miami +1.5
