Miami (3-4, 1-2 ACC) at Virginia (3-4, 1-3), Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET (RSN)
Line: Miami by 1 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Miami leads 11-8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Two programs with first-year coaches look to get one win closer to bowl eligibility. The Cavaliers are coming off a Thursday night 16-9 victory at Georgia Tech in which the offense continued to struggle but the defense was stout. Miami had eight turnovers in a 45-21 home loss to Duke, its fourth loss in the last five games.
KEY MATCHUP
Miami QB Jake Garcia against the Virginia defense. Tyler Van Dyke left the loss to Duke with an apparent shoulder injury and is likely to miss the game. He was replaced by Garcia, who completed 13 of 21 attempts for 198 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The Cavaliers tied the national season high with eight sacks against the Yellow Jackets.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Miami: TE Will Mallory. The 6-foot-5 tight end may well become the safety net receiver for Garcia, especially if the Cavaliers pass rush is effective. He leads the Hurricanes with 25 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown.
Virginia: QB Brennan Armstrong. He had one of his best games in Virginia’s new offense against the Yellow Jackets, throwing for 255 yards and a TD and rushing for 91 yards and another score. He’s got a rushing TD in three straight games.
FACTS & FIGURES
Miami is averaging 3.43 sacks, second most in the ACC and eighth most in the country. The Cavaliers rank third in the ACC and 11th nationally with 3.29 sacks per game. … The Hurricanes have hosted Virginia the last three seasons. … The Cavaliers are 2-1 at home this season and 23-6 at Scott Stadium since 2018. The 23 home wins are the third most in the ACC behind Clemson (30) and NC State (26) and the most of any ACC Coastal Division school in the last five years. … The Cavaliers will play their last five regular season games in Virginia with four straight at home and a season finale at Virginia Tech.
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