We get a Thursday night college football treat as the Miami Hurricanes host the Virginia Cavaliers in an ACC Coastal Division clash.
The U already has two losses on the season but still has a perfect conference record intact (because it's 0-0). Can Miami turn its season around and start conference play with a bang as 5.5-point chalk against the visiting Cavs?
Find out with our free college football betting picks and predictions for Virginia vs. Miami on Thursday, September 30.
Virginia vs Miami odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Miami hit the board as a 4-point home favorite and has seen most of the money as of Thursday morning, moving the line to -5.5. Meanwhile, the total opened at 62 and has moved up a tick to 62.5. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
Virginia vs Miami picks
Picks made on 9/30/2021 at 8:20 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Virginia vs Miami game info
• Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
• Date: Thursday, September 30, 2021
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
Virginia vs Miami betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Virginia: Hunter Stewart LB (Questionable), Jelani Woods TE (Questionable), Wayne Taulapapa RB (Questionable).
Miami: D'Eriq King QB (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Virginia is 2-6 ATS in its last eight games as a road underdog. Find more NCAA betting trends for Virginia vs. Miami.
Virginia vs Miami predictions
Miami -5.5 (-110)
Yes, it has been a disappointing start to the season for Miami. But the glass-half-full crowd will tell you that The U still hasn’t lost in ACC play — in a conference that looks as wide open as it has been in a decade. Now the Hurricanes just have to win the games.
They open ACC play against Virginia, who comes into this matchup also at 2-2 (SU/ATS). The Cavaliers began the season with wins over FCS William & Mary and Illinois but followed that up by getting absolutely torched in their next two games.
Virginia surrendered a massive 96 points — and nearly 1,200 yards — in consecutive losses to UNC and Wake Forest. So, this is not the Virginia we are used to under Bronco Mendenhall. But can Miami take advantage?
The Hurricanes opened by getting predictably thrashed by Alabama, then squeaked out a win against Appalachian State, lost to Michigan State in a game that was closer than the score showed, and then had a scrimmage against FCS Central Connecticut State.
Miami has had the most success when it has been able to move the ball effectively on the ground, and that will be much easier if dual-threat QB D’Eriq King can play. King is questionable for this game with a shoulder injury.
The Canes’ backups both looked solid last week but that was against CCSU, so expect The U to lean on running back Cam’Ron Harris if King is unable to go. Harris is averaging 5.3 yards per carry this season with three scores and is going against a Cavs’ run defense that ranks 113th in rushing yards allowed per game.
Miami, while it has had its own issues on defense, should be able to create enough pressure to disrupt the Virginia passing attack.
If King plays, he is a difference-maker and the cover should come easy. If not, it will be a little more of a sweat, but they still have the weapons to get the job done against what has been an absolutely horrendous 'Hoos defense.
Over 62.5 (-110)
Did we mention this is not the Virginia team you are used to? Behind quarterback Brennan Armstrong, the Cavs own the nation's top-rated passing attack in terms of yards per game.
Armstrong's numbers are gaudy, throwing for 1,705 yards while completing 66.7 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and just three picks. He now goes up against a Miami pass defense that can get to the QB, but when they don’t they have been burned.
Miami enters this game ranked 92nd in the country in passing yards allowed per game and 83rd in scoring defense.
Both offenses will be set up to succeed in this game. Bet the Over and don’t think too hard about it.
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Where can I bet on college football odds?
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