Miami Hurricanes +2½ blow past Virginia Cavaliers

The Hurricanes were totally embarrassed last year by the Cavaliers, and it's payback time.  Take the points and Miami on Saturday when they travel to Virginia in ACC action.

The Miami Hurricanes and the Virginia Cavaliers go head-to-head in a key ACC matchup between two teams that are currently in top form. The 'Canes, after an 0-2 start in conference play, have come back with impressive successive wins against Wake Forest and Duke. Meanwhile the Cavaliers have won four straight, including wins against two Top 25 teams, North Carolina and Georgia Tech.

Last year when these football programs met the Cavaliers mercilessly beat the Hurricanes in their own backyard down in the Orange Bowl by a 48-0 count. While revenge in college football can sometimes be overstated and over-hyped, this is not one of those situations. The above mentioned loss marked the first time since 1974 that Miami was shutout at home. Worst of all, the loss came in front of some of the school's all-time top players. Needless to say, some key boosters were not impressed with how coach Randy Shannon seemed unprepared for that game. Since the the head coach has had this date circled on his calender and will have his team more than ready to compete.

Wahoos head coach Al Groh knows there is a storm blowing in, and will batten down the hatches . Look for a hard-fought affair with the Canes' strength, their defense, ending up being the difference maker.

Final Notes & Key Trends: The underdog has won the last four meetings. The Hurricanes have covered four straight road games.

Projected score: Miami FL-23 Virginia-20

Free Pick: Miami (FL) +2½ (-110)