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The Miami Hurricanes defense would do better to prepare for a physical game this Saturday as UM prepares for a road trip to face Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium.
The 2020 version of the Hokies builds on an identity built around a physical racing game, which averages 279 yards per game and ranks fifth in the country. Virginia Tech is averaging the fastest yards of any Power Five team in the country this year.
VT builds on its strength in multiple ways.
Virginia Tech presents one of the best full backs in the ACC Khalil Herbert, who ran 803 yards and six touchdowns averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Herbert is second in the ACC in the race, behind Louisville Javian hawkins.
One of the main storylines to watch this week will be the health and availability of Herbert, who is treating a hamstring injury that took him out of last weekend’s game against Liberty after kick-off.
Outside of that Liberty match, Herbert ran at least 100 yards in every match except for the Wake Forest bout.
Herbert (5-9, 212) has arguably been the most powerful player in the ACC this year, averaging 5.69 yards per carry after contact.
Double Threat Quarterback Hendon hooker is another common threat that Virginia Tech relies on to take easy distances and consistently stay ahead of the chains.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hooker has run 445 yards on designed tracks this season and is averaging 3.96 yards per carry after contact. Hooker forced 23 missed tackles. Hooker ran for the most yards on designed runs of any quarterback in the country.
At 6’4 and 220 pounds, Hooker is a load to attack. Hooker has run over 150 yards in two games this season.
The other element Virginia Tech brings to the racing game is using receivers on the jet sweeps. Three Turner is the receiver that is mainly used on these manholes and has seven runs for 66 yards. He ran for a touchdown on those looks and forced five missed tackles while recording an average of 9.00 yards per carry after contact.
There is no denying that Virginia Tech has the skillful position staff to execute the ball at a high level, but what makes the Hokies so successful in blocking through the offensive line.
According to PFF, Virginia Tech is the second-best racing blocking line in the ACC (behind Notre Dame only) and the Hokies have arguably the best left tackle in the ACC – and quite possibly the country – in Christian darrisaw.
Darrisaw has only allowed five presses this season and hasn’t given up a sack. PFF ranked Darrisaw at a passing blocking score of 90.5 and a track blocking score of 94.1. He is the highest rated offensive lineman at the Power Five level and has the highest running blocking rating of any Power Five lineman in the country.
Right tackle Luke Estate also impressed PFF with his stroke blocking, scoring 87.1 blocking points.
Miami’s race defense was tested against talented full-backs earlier this season when they faced Louisville Javian hawkins and Clemson’s Travis Etienne. The results of those games weren’t good from MU’s point of view as the Hurricanes allowed each of these players to run for at least 149 yards and at least one touchdown.
While it is debatable whether Herbert is as talented as Hawkins and Etienne, it cannot be denied that the overall offense Virginia Tech presents is the most difficult challenge the Hurricanes have yet faced.
Miami enters this week allowing 148 rushing yards per game and while that number is not high (Miami ranks 55th in the nation in running defense), it will be essential for the Hurricanes to have their best performance of the season trying to stop the run.
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