I think your thoughts and concerns about the 'Canes are well-placed. I also think Tech will win, but here's what gives me pause: Miami's pass efficiency defense is very good (#3 in the nation), and Virginia Tech's receivers have had a lot of trouble getting separation. VT currently doesn't have any "big" receivers, or even any receivers who play big. (Isaiah Ford was listed at 6-2 but played bigger; Eric Kumah is VT's "big" receiver this year at 6-2, but he plays smaller. Everyone else *is* small.)

The 'Canes could really glove up Tech's receivers and make it hard on the Hokie passing offense. Virginia Tech is a mediocre running team, so points could be hard to come by for VT. Having said that, Fuente and OC Brad Cornelsen are very good at scheming guys open.

(Knock on wood) I'm not as concerned about Miami's ability to play in the backfield and get a lot of TFLs. Miami is also #3 in the nation in that category, but Duke was #7, and VT only gave up 2 TFLs in that game. VT is #51 in the nation in TFLs allowed. Not great, but not bad.

On the other side of the ball, Virginia Tech is (again, knock on wood) healthy on defense. VT's DTs can be very disruptive, the DEs less so. While Miami's offense is productive, one thing they're poor at is 3rd down conversions (#118 in the country -- yikes). Virginia Tech is #3 in the country in 3rd down defense, so if Miami doesn't hit big plays, and VT doesn't turn it over, the 'Canes are going to have a HARD time driving the field and scoring.

In short, this is setting up to be a defensive battle. First one to 20 wins, I think. Should be a good game. And I think I just wrote my share of tomorrow's game preview ....