Miami Football: 2017 Game-by-game predictions

CORAL GABLES, FL - NOVEMBER 10: A view from inside the stadium prior to the last college football game played in the Orange Bowl as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl November 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. The University of Miami, which has played in the Orange Bowl since 1937, will be playing at Dolphin Stadium beginning next season. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL - NOVEMBER 10: A view from inside the stadium prior to the last college football game played in the Orange Bowl as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl November 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. The University of Miami, which has played in the Orange Bowl since 1937, will be playing at Dolphin Stadium beginning next season. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

The Virginia Tech Hokies will be a tough game for the Miami Hurricanes. They boast a fast-paced offense and a defense that will pressure you all game long. The Hokies were expecting great things from true freshman wide receiver Caleb Farley, but he’s been lost for the season due to a knee injury.

Despite the loss on offense, the Hokies return seven starters from a defense that pushed them to a 10-4 season in 2016. They have their own starting quarterback issue to figure out but they’ll have all that solved by November.

The Hokies have won the six of the last 10 meetings against the Hurricanes. Miami’s 37-16 loss last season exposed a number of holes in the defense. Quarterback Jerod Evans threw for 259 passing yards and tight end Bucky Hodges caught seven passes for 66 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The good thing for the Hurricanes is the bulk of the Hokies’ offense from last year is gone. They’ll still have to contain wide receiver Cam Phillips and running back Travon McMillian. Phillips had seven catches for 64 receiving yards and McMillian ran for 131 rushing yards in last year’s game as well.

It will be a hard-fought game between two teams on the rise defensively. The early edge goes to head coach Justin Fuente and the Hokies.

Final: Virginia Tech 20, Miami 13 (6-2, 4-2 ACC)