College Football Sports Betting - #9 Miami Hurricanes at #11 Virginia Tech Hokies

Miami Hurricanes (2-0 SU & ATS) at Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS)
Saturday, September 26 - 3:30 PM ET

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: MIAMI -2.5, Total 47.5

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• MIA has covered six of its last nine games
• MIA has won seven of its last ten games SU
• MIA has covered seven of its last nine road games
• MIA has lost 11 of its last 16 road games SU
• MIA has played five of its last seven road games OVER the total
• VT has won six of its last seven games SU
• VT has played six of its last nine games UNDER the total
• VT has won its last ten home games SU
• VT has played six of its last eight home games UNDER the total

Also....

• VT has covered seven of the last eight meetings
• VT has won four of the last six meetings SU
• Five of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total
• VT has covered four of the last five meetings as the home team
• VT has won five of the last seven meetings SU as the home team

Yes, there is a bounce in the step of this Hurricane program. Truth be told, it does not come because Randy Shannon, the former Miami linebacker, has brought any magic to the table, although it is said he has done a good job in recruiting. It is because mark Whipple, a guy with extensive pro experience as well as the former coach at small college power U-Mass, has been hired as offensive coordinator in order to befuddle Hurricane opponents.

Whipple has brought his own brand of offensive imagination to the table in transforming Jacory Harris into a big play quarterback. The sophomore, who has a decent arm and great composure, has brought big-play capability back to the program. He currently ranks third in the country in passing efficiency, right behind Ryan Mallett, the Michigan transfer who is now with Arkansas, and Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen.

Harris has completed 69.5% of his passes, with 11.1 yards an attempt, and he has faced two nationally-ranked opponents (Florida State and Georgia Tech). In the latter game, he and the 'Canes made it look easy, even on defense, where they held Georgia Tech to NINETY-FIVE rushing yards.

Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor will find the going rough against Miami's speed on the defensive side, which seems to be maturing. He is also still trying to find himself as a passer, completing just 47% of his throws.

Against Nebraska last week the Hokies' offense was non-existent until the final minute of the game, when Taylor completed a desperation 81-yard pass to Danny Coale before using his mobility on the game-clinching TD pass. They had done nothing in the second half before that. Ryan Williams, the rusher this team is now relying on, has a very sore ankle, and was limited in the third and fourth quarters against the Huskers.

This won't do.

Sure, the Hokies and coach Frank Beamer want some revenge for last year's 16-14 defeat in Florida, and they are six of their last seven against the number when seeking revenge, but this year they will be facing a much more explosive and yes, even versatile Miami offense (don't forget running back Graig Cooper) than they did in last year's meeting. Harris wins any shootout against Taylor, and Whipple takes the chess match against Beamer.

We're laying the points with Miami, the 2.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: MIAMI -2.5 ***
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)