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With Miami set to take on Virginia tomorrow night, CIS took a deep-dive and compared both programs. How do the teams match up in key areas of the game, which players were recruited by the other school, and how does the series history shake out? Let's find out.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Virginia Rush Defense
Miami’s running game has been the strength of the team thus far, coming in at 33rd nationally with 179.0 ypg. The Canes have shown they can consistently create big plays behind the legs of RB Cam’Ron Harris (5.8 ypc, 5 TD’s) and QB D’Eriq King (54.6 rushing yards per game). While their numbers were down the past two weeks playing against the best two front seven’s they’ll see all season in Clemson and Pitt, Virginia does not offer the same resistance; UVA is 32nd nationally in allowing 136.3 ypg, although DT Jowon Briggs (3 sacks) and LB Noah Taylor (5.5 TFL) have had strong starts. Like in games past, UVA’s defensive strategy will certainly be to stack the box to try and limit UM’s run game, but Miami has had great success running against teams without an elite front 7.
Advantage: Miami
Virginia Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Virginia’s running game has been solid yet unspectacular in 2020, as they are 44th in the country with 158.8 ypg on the ground. Junior RB Wayne Taulapapa leads the team in rushing with 245 yards and 3 TD’s, while QB Brennan Armstrong has provided a major boost with 130 rushing yards in 2 and a half games played. However, with Armstrong still yet to be cleared to practice as of Wednesday coming off a concussion suffered 2 weeks back, it seems likely that Keytaon Thompson and Ira Armstead will again function as UVA’s tandem running QB’s (117 rushing yards combined last week vs. Wake Forest). Miami’s run defense had a breakthrough last week in holding Pitt to 22 rushing yards, and are now #33 in the nation with 144.0 rushing ypg allowed. However, Pitt did not have a running threat at QB like Thompson and Armstead, so it will be interesting to see if the Canes can continue that success vs. UVA.
Advantage: Even
Miami Pass Offense vs. Virginia Pass Defense
UM’s pass game has ebbed and flowed this season, ultimately evening out at 42nd nationally at 228.6 ypg through 5 games. While Miami has shown the ability to be both efficient and explosive at times behind the arm of King (59.2% completions, 7.1 ypa, 10-4 TD-INT ratio), it is certainly a concern to have leading receiver TE Brevin Jordan (18 receptions) listed as questionable yet again going into the game when Miami’s WR corps has been downright terrible at times and after the coaches completely reset the WR depth chart this week in practice. UM has relied heavily on the schemed up, King false step passes to generate a passing offense, and it’s fair to wonder if that can hold up all season.
If Miami’s pass game is ever going to get fully untracked, this will be the week, as UVA’s pass defense is 56th nationally in giving up 277 ypg, 64th nationally in ypa allowed (8.5), and just gave up six passes of 35+ yards last week vs. Wake Forest. Senior DB De’Vante Cross has been the best of a mediocre secondary, recording 13 tackles, 4 PBU, and an INT in 2020. UVA’s pass rush has been solid thus far, though, as the Cavs are #32 in the country in sacks with 2.5 per game. On the flip side, UM’s offensive line has struggled the past two weeks in allowing 9 sacks and 26 TFL. This is a battle of two weaknesses and it will be a key area to watch as the game develops.
Advantage: Even
Virginia Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
Despite playing a game and a half of their four contests with backup passing QB Lindell Stone, the Cavs’ passing game has remained overall effective (#26 at 264.3 ypg). It seems likely that Stone will get another start with Armstrong not practicing this week, although UVA has not ruled out using Thompson and/or Armstead in a rotation of sorts this week in the passing game. Still, the Cavs’ passing game numbers behind both Armstrong and Stone have a lot to do with pure volume rather than efficiency; UVA has relied mainly on short passes in 2020, as Virginia is 72nd of 77 FBS teams in ypa (5.3). That’s why it’s no surprise that UVA’s leading receiver is a 3rd down back in Billy Kemp, who is 8th nationally with a whopping 36 catches in just 4 games, but only averages 8.8 ypc. 6’7” true freshman WR Lavel Davis will be one to watch as well, as he has been one of the only players on UVA’s offense creating big plays (23.3 ypc, 3 TD’s).
UM has been decidedly average at defending the pass, as they are 45th in the country in passing defense with 252.2 ypg. However, they’ve been buoyed by a strong pass rush led by Quincy Roche (9 TFL, 2 sacks) that is 13th nationally in sacks with 14, and UVA’s OL has only been slightly above average at protecting the passer this year (#33 at 2 sacks per game). Last week against Pitt, UM also played a backup QB and forced the Panthers to become one-dimensional by taking away their run game, which led to some big plays through the air, but ultimately an inefficient passing day for Pitt. I expect to see a similar gameplan for UVA.
Advantage: Miami
Miami Special Teams vs. Virginia Special Teams
Virginia senior punter Nash Griffin has been an average punter in his career (42.2 ypp) and is currently 9th in the ACC in ypp (43.0) this season. However, UVA senior kicker Brian Delaney is considered one of the best kickers in the entire nation, as he was named to the Lou Groza watchlist and is a career 80.4% FG kicker (5-6 this year). On the flip side, Miami has two proven and experienced specialists in junior punter Louis Hedley, who made the Ray Guy Award watchlist (2nd in ACC at 47.6 ypp), and senior kicker Jose Borregales, who has been perfect so far in 2020 (8-8 FG’s, long of 57, 21-21 XP’s). The Canes are still trying to find an impact returner, as neither Mark Pope nor Xavier Restrepo have done much to this point. UVA WR Tavares Kelly is 15th nationally with 28.0 ypr on KR, while Kemp has been an underwhelming option at PR for the Cavs for two seasons now.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Virginia players recruited by Miami (5): QB Keytaon Thompson, CB Heskin Smith, DE Ben Smiley, LB Brandon Williams, DB Donovan Johnson
Miami players recruited by Virginia (6): RB Robert Burns, DT Jordan Miller, OT Adam ElGammal, DT Jason Blissett, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DE Quentin Williams
Virginia players from South Florida (3): CB Dave Herard (Stranahan), LB D’Sean Perry (Gulliver Prep), DE Mandy Alonso (Gulliver Prep)
Series History
**Miami leads the overall series with Virginia, 10-7.
**The Canes won the last game of the series vs. the Cavaliers; the longest-ever winning streak in this series was 3 games, something done by both Miami (1996-2005) and Virginia (2010-2012).
**The largest margin of victory in this rivalry is 48 points, something done by Virginia when they shutout the Hurricanes in the final game ever played at the Orange Bowl during the 2007 season.
Last Time They Played
**Last season, #20 UVA came to Miami Gardens to play in the Friday night ACC showcase game vs. UM. It was a defensive battle without much offensive firepower, but Miami led a close contest the entire way before QB N’Kosi Perry sealed the game with a 3-yard TD run late in the 4th quarter. The Canes won, 17-9.
**In his first start of the season replacing Jarren Williams, Perry led the offense to just two TD’s and 265 total yards. In addition to the rushing TD, Perry also threw a 17-yard TD to DeeJay Dallas on a screen pass on the game's first drive and finished 16-27 for 182 passing yards.
**Miami’s defensive front got after Virginia QB Bryce Perkins, sacking him 5 times in the game.
**Virginia WR Hasise Dubois led all offensive skills players with 93 yards from scrimmage in the game, all of which came on his 7 receptions.
**With Bubba Baxa and Miami’s kicking game struggling badly heading into the matchup, the legend of Turner Davidson was born vs. UVA. In the first quarter, the walk-on kicker nailed his first XP attempt to loud roars from the crowd; later, Davidson would hit on another XP and his only FG attempt, a 19-yarder that came in the fourth quarter.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Virginia Rush Defense
Miami’s running game has been the strength of the team thus far, coming in at 33rd nationally with 179.0 ypg. The Canes have shown they can consistently create big plays behind the legs of RB Cam’Ron Harris (5.8 ypc, 5 TD’s) and QB D’Eriq King (54.6 rushing yards per game). While their numbers were down the past two weeks playing against the best two front seven’s they’ll see all season in Clemson and Pitt, Virginia does not offer the same resistance; UVA is 32nd nationally in allowing 136.3 ypg, although DT Jowon Briggs (3 sacks) and LB Noah Taylor (5.5 TFL) have had strong starts. Like in games past, UVA’s defensive strategy will certainly be to stack the box to try and limit UM’s run game, but Miami has had great success running against teams without an elite front 7.
Advantage: Miami
Virginia Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Virginia’s running game has been solid yet unspectacular in 2020, as they are 44th in the country with 158.8 ypg on the ground. Junior RB Wayne Taulapapa leads the team in rushing with 245 yards and 3 TD’s, while QB Brennan Armstrong has provided a major boost with 130 rushing yards in 2 and a half games played. However, with Armstrong still yet to be cleared to practice as of Wednesday coming off a concussion suffered 2 weeks back, it seems likely that Keytaon Thompson and Ira Armstead will again function as UVA’s tandem running QB’s (117 rushing yards combined last week vs. Wake Forest). Miami’s run defense had a breakthrough last week in holding Pitt to 22 rushing yards, and are now #33 in the nation with 144.0 rushing ypg allowed. However, Pitt did not have a running threat at QB like Thompson and Armstead, so it will be interesting to see if the Canes can continue that success vs. UVA.
Advantage: Even
Miami Pass Offense vs. Virginia Pass Defense
UM’s pass game has ebbed and flowed this season, ultimately evening out at 42nd nationally at 228.6 ypg through 5 games. While Miami has shown the ability to be both efficient and explosive at times behind the arm of King (59.2% completions, 7.1 ypa, 10-4 TD-INT ratio), it is certainly a concern to have leading receiver TE Brevin Jordan (18 receptions) listed as questionable yet again going into the game when Miami’s WR corps has been downright terrible at times and after the coaches completely reset the WR depth chart this week in practice. UM has relied heavily on the schemed up, King false step passes to generate a passing offense, and it’s fair to wonder if that can hold up all season.
If Miami’s pass game is ever going to get fully untracked, this will be the week, as UVA’s pass defense is 56th nationally in giving up 277 ypg, 64th nationally in ypa allowed (8.5), and just gave up six passes of 35+ yards last week vs. Wake Forest. Senior DB De’Vante Cross has been the best of a mediocre secondary, recording 13 tackles, 4 PBU, and an INT in 2020. UVA’s pass rush has been solid thus far, though, as the Cavs are #32 in the country in sacks with 2.5 per game. On the flip side, UM’s offensive line has struggled the past two weeks in allowing 9 sacks and 26 TFL. This is a battle of two weaknesses and it will be a key area to watch as the game develops.
Advantage: Even
Virginia Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
Despite playing a game and a half of their four contests with backup passing QB Lindell Stone, the Cavs’ passing game has remained overall effective (#26 at 264.3 ypg). It seems likely that Stone will get another start with Armstrong not practicing this week, although UVA has not ruled out using Thompson and/or Armstead in a rotation of sorts this week in the passing game. Still, the Cavs’ passing game numbers behind both Armstrong and Stone have a lot to do with pure volume rather than efficiency; UVA has relied mainly on short passes in 2020, as Virginia is 72nd of 77 FBS teams in ypa (5.3). That’s why it’s no surprise that UVA’s leading receiver is a 3rd down back in Billy Kemp, who is 8th nationally with a whopping 36 catches in just 4 games, but only averages 8.8 ypc. 6’7” true freshman WR Lavel Davis will be one to watch as well, as he has been one of the only players on UVA’s offense creating big plays (23.3 ypc, 3 TD’s).
UM has been decidedly average at defending the pass, as they are 45th in the country in passing defense with 252.2 ypg. However, they’ve been buoyed by a strong pass rush led by Quincy Roche (9 TFL, 2 sacks) that is 13th nationally in sacks with 14, and UVA’s OL has only been slightly above average at protecting the passer this year (#33 at 2 sacks per game). Last week against Pitt, UM also played a backup QB and forced the Panthers to become one-dimensional by taking away their run game, which led to some big plays through the air, but ultimately an inefficient passing day for Pitt. I expect to see a similar gameplan for UVA.
Advantage: Miami
Miami Special Teams vs. Virginia Special Teams
Virginia senior punter Nash Griffin has been an average punter in his career (42.2 ypp) and is currently 9th in the ACC in ypp (43.0) this season. However, UVA senior kicker Brian Delaney is considered one of the best kickers in the entire nation, as he was named to the Lou Groza watchlist and is a career 80.4% FG kicker (5-6 this year). On the flip side, Miami has two proven and experienced specialists in junior punter Louis Hedley, who made the Ray Guy Award watchlist (2nd in ACC at 47.6 ypp), and senior kicker Jose Borregales, who has been perfect so far in 2020 (8-8 FG’s, long of 57, 21-21 XP’s). The Canes are still trying to find an impact returner, as neither Mark Pope nor Xavier Restrepo have done much to this point. UVA WR Tavares Kelly is 15th nationally with 28.0 ypr on KR, while Kemp has been an underwhelming option at PR for the Cavs for two seasons now.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Virginia players recruited by Miami (5): QB Keytaon Thompson, CB Heskin Smith, DE Ben Smiley, LB Brandon Williams, DB Donovan Johnson
Miami players recruited by Virginia (6): RB Robert Burns, DT Jordan Miller, OT Adam ElGammal, DT Jason Blissett, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DE Quentin Williams
Virginia players from South Florida (3): CB Dave Herard (Stranahan), LB D’Sean Perry (Gulliver Prep), DE Mandy Alonso (Gulliver Prep)
Series History
**Miami leads the overall series with Virginia, 10-7.
**The Canes won the last game of the series vs. the Cavaliers; the longest-ever winning streak in this series was 3 games, something done by both Miami (1996-2005) and Virginia (2010-2012).
**The largest margin of victory in this rivalry is 48 points, something done by Virginia when they shutout the Hurricanes in the final game ever played at the Orange Bowl during the 2007 season.
Last Time They Played
**Last season, #20 UVA came to Miami Gardens to play in the Friday night ACC showcase game vs. UM. It was a defensive battle without much offensive firepower, but Miami led a close contest the entire way before QB N’Kosi Perry sealed the game with a 3-yard TD run late in the 4th quarter. The Canes won, 17-9.
**In his first start of the season replacing Jarren Williams, Perry led the offense to just two TD’s and 265 total yards. In addition to the rushing TD, Perry also threw a 17-yard TD to DeeJay Dallas on a screen pass on the game's first drive and finished 16-27 for 182 passing yards.
**Miami’s defensive front got after Virginia QB Bryce Perkins, sacking him 5 times in the game.
**Virginia WR Hasise Dubois led all offensive skills players with 93 yards from scrimmage in the game, all of which came on his 7 receptions.
**With Bubba Baxa and Miami’s kicking game struggling badly heading into the matchup, the legend of Turner Davidson was born vs. UVA. In the first quarter, the walk-on kicker nailed his first XP attempt to loud roars from the crowd; later, Davidson would hit on another XP and his only FG attempt, a 19-yarder that came in the fourth quarter.
