Miami-Virginia Tech: Trap or Triumph?

Two games into the season, we know a lot about the Miami Hurricanes: they're capable of knocking off top-25 teams more than once, Jacory Harris is gloriously unflappable and able to -- alert Patrick Nix! -- dissect a secondary, and the defense is capable of socking a run-first team in the mouth.

All the things we don't know yet, we'll find out Saturday at 3:30 when the Hurricanes head into no. 11 Virginia Tech's den of horror, the loud and proud Lane Stadium. It's one of the toughest places to play in college football, and the Hurricanes bear the burden of ridiculously high expectations while facing a team itching to make a statement after a loss to Alabama and a last-second win over Clemson.

With three ACC titles in the last five years, Virginia Tech shouldn't be underestimated. This game could be the trap the sends the 'Canes 2-2, or the bump that catapults them right at Oklahoma as a top 5 team oozing confidence.

Points of interest:

T-Mobile may be in service. The Hokie's duel-threat QB Tyrod Taylor, who ran for 738 yards on 147 attempts last season, has just 10 yards this season on 26 carries after 3 games. Tech's coaching staff claim they haven't changed the game plan and that Taylor's becoming a "more mature" quarterback by staying in the pocket this season, but, should they realize their mistake and let him loose, the 'Canes absolutely must account for him. The junior has broken 16 runs of 20 yards or more in his career, and the Hokies are 9-1 when Taylor rushes for at least 45.

Virginia Tech doesn't have many other options on offense. With star running back Darren Williams out for the year with a torn ACL, they've only averaged 2.2 yards per carry and 6.0 yards per pass attempt, with most of the production coming from freshman Ryan Williams (114 ypg, 6 TDs). Williams will be the go-to, but he won't be able to sustain long drives to keep Miami's juggernaut offense on the field by himself.

Special teams are crucial. Tech needs its usual brand of stellar special teams to win. Miami needs its special teams to be good enough not to cost them. That could be a problem if the Canes can't break the game open, judging from the holes Randy Shannon burned into kicker Matt Bosher last week at home. The Hurricanes have been pathetic on coverage, and Hokie Dyrell Roberts is 2nd in the country in return yardage with runs of 98, 76, and 47 yards.

Battle Royale: Mark Whipple vs. Bud Foster. Longtime Hokies DC Foster is not to be trifled with, but you can believe Whipple will trifle. As Foster will try to force UM's balanced attack into something one-dimensional, Miami's Jedi OC will go Linda Evangelista all over him with as many looks as it takes. The edge goes to Whip, but he's got to rely on Matt Pipho keeping defensive end Jason Worilds from cracking Jacory Harris in half.

Watch out for: Miami's unsung hero, hybrid toad-fullback Pat Hill. Hill was arguably Miami's greatest asset on the field against Georgia Tech, smashing out running lanes for the tailbacks and forming an orca-shaped wall of protection around Jacory Harris. Against Foster's D, he'll be invaluable.

Intangibles: Tech is spotted 6 points for home field advantage in Vegas, the most of any team in college football. Exit light, indeed.

Call: Miami backs it all up, 28-10. And if so, Jacory might want to start shopping -- pink suits don't come easy.

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