Miami Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Virginia in Week 12
By Dana Becker
Miami football has everything it wants within its grasp, now the Hurricanes must avoid a letdown in the final two games of the years.
The Hurricanes (9-0, 6-0 ACC) earned a signature win with a throttling of Notre Dame last week. Having already clinched the division title and a December meeting with defending national champion Clemson, Mark Richt and company welcome Virginia (6-4, 3-3) to town.
Malik Rosier has stepped right in at quarterback and is directing Miami with precision. Rosier has thrown for over 2,400 yards with 20 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
Braxton Berrios is his favorite target, hauling in 38 passes with eight of them going for scores. Travis Homer has replaced an injured Mark Walton at running back, gaining 758 yards and six scores.
And “The U” defense looks like it did back during the days of camo jerseys, forcing turnovers in bunches and scoring points with ease. Miami completely dominated Brandon Wimbush, Josh Adams and the Irish last week, and they’ll look to do the same to Kurt Benkert and the Cavs this Saturday.
Benkert, a former East Carolina quarterback, has thrown for just under 2,500 yards with 21 touchdowns. Jordan Ellis leads the ground unit with 766 yards and Olamide Zaccheaus is the top receiver with 70 catches for 727 yards.
Virginia is just 1-3 over its last four after starting the season 5-1.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Miami vs. Virginia contest:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 18
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Miami, Fla.
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
For Miami it is plain and simple: focus on Virginia and not what sits a few weeks out in December with the ACC Championship on the line.
The Hurricanes are just getting back to being in the national spotlight, so this is all new for them. Virginia would like nothing more than to play the role of spoiler and potentially knock them from the list of College Football Playoff contenders here in November.
Rosier, Homer and company should have no trouble moving the ball on a Virginia defense allowing over 26 points per game and almost 360 yards. In contrast, the ‘Canes surrender just 17 points per and will be licking their chops at getting a hold of the “Turnover Chain” this week.
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Prediction
They might not put on the same show they did last week vs. Notre Dame or two weeks ago vs. Virginia Tech, but Miami should have no trouble getting past Virginia. It might look closer on the scoreboard when all is said and done, but the Hurricanes have bigger things in mind now and will try to get their starters some rest.
Prediction: Miami 45, Virginia 21