Keys to a Miami Hurricanes Victory at Virginia Tech

The Miami Hurricanes, who many thought may not lose three video games all season, have now misplaced three straight and are below .500 at 2-3, however hope is on the horizon. 

Of their most up-to-date loss to North Carolina, the Hurricanes appeared sturdier than normal. Although they ended up on the dropping finish of that one, it might be argued that it was their most reassuring offensive efficiency of the yr, led by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke‘s 496 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the Canes hit the street to tackle Virginia Tech in one other ACC showdown, and there is a lot at stake right here. Miami might stage its report, get their first convention win, and get their first street win, all on the identical time. However a loss would ship them to 2-4, placing them manner again from the place everybody thought they’d be. This will not have been a key recreation for the Canes to begin the yr, nevertheless it definitely is now. 

Here is what the Hurricanes need to do to convey house the win. 

Convert within the Purple Zone 

Miami’s offense has been the topic of a substantial quantity of scrutiny this yr, and for good motive more often than not, nevertheless it’s not like they have been utterly inept transferring the ball. They simply can not seem to flip these yards into factors. Repeatedly, the Canes have come up quick within the crimson zone, settling for subject objectives or worse. They merely cannot afford to have 70 and 80-yard drives finish in three factors or fewer. 

Towards each Texas A&M and North Carolina, the Hurricanes had a number of journeys to the crimson zone that did not yield something greater than a kick. In the event that they transformed on even some of these missed alternatives, Miami might be a 4-1 soccer crew and the season would have a dramatically completely different tone. 

Virginia Tech’s given up over 40 factors in every of their final two video games, so the Hokies seem like an excellent opponent for the Canes to work out their scoring kinks.

Shield QB Tyler Van Dyke

After his almost 500-yard outing in opposition to North Carolina, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is wanting like his outdated self once more. There’s nonetheless some floor to make up, however for essentially the most half, Miami has its man below heart. Now, the Canes have gotten to concentrate on giving him what he must succeed: Time. 

No, no more time to develop, however extra time within the pocket on every play. The Tar Heels sacked him twice and added 5 extra QB pressures final weekend. Van Dyke held his personal although, and threw nicely even below the stress. Nonetheless, these hits and hurries add up, each mentally and bodily. 

Past the precise sacks, the dimensions of the pocket wants to enhance. A number of passes have been tipped or altered on the line final Saturday as a result of collapsing pocket, together with the ultimate cross that ended as an interception, and that may’t occur going ahead. 

Hold a Lid on Huge Performs 

The Hurricanes’ protection has performed nicely for a big majority of their time on the sphere. The one downside is that once they get crushed, they get crushed badly. 

It looks as if the Canes’ protection will get torched for a 50+ yard play each weekend, generally a number of of them. Outdoors of these performs, they’ve carried out a usually stable job stopping opposing offenses, save for Center Tennessee State. However all of these third-down stops and turnovers do not quantity to a lot in the event that they’re letting up 75-yard scores within the “down moments”.

Positive, a few of this has to do with getting extra snug in DC Kevin Steele’s scheme. However missed tackles have performed a bigger position in Miami’s “huge play” woes than the rest, particularly amongst linebackers and secondary. The Hurricanes appeared higher in opposition to the Tar Heels on this regard, however there’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to be carried out for the Canes’ protection to succeed in its full potential.

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