Miami lost its opener to Maryland without eight suspended players. The majority of those missed just one game, but the Hurricanes will get back Ray-Ray Armstrong for this one. He was considered to be one of the nation’s top safeties this season. The Miami defense has allowed its past two opponents – Kansas State and Bethune-Cookman – a combined 484 rushing yards and now ranks 105th nationally in run defense (202.25 yards per game).

Against Virginia Tech, UM will face Hokies' running back David Wilson, whose average of 127.8 yards is seventh among FBS players  — just one spot ahead of Miami RB Lamar Miller, who has the same average but in one fewer game. And UM won’t have starting linebacker Ramon Buchanan, who was lost for the season in last week’s 45-14 win over Bethune-Cookman.

No. 21 Virginia Tech (4-1) was stunned at home last week, 23-3, by Clemson. It was the program’s second-worst home loss in the past 30 years, and the first time Virginia Tech was held without a touchdown in its home stadium since 1995. It ended the Hokies’ 12-game ACC winning streak.

Wilson had a good game with 123 yards on 20 carries, but QB Logan Thomas was just 15-for-27 for 125 yards with no TDs and a pick. Thomas has been inconsistent as a passer in his first season starting, but he can also run. And Miami proved susceptible to a running quarterback in a 28-24 loss to Kansas State as the Wildcats’ Collin Klein ran for 93 yards and a touchdown, and also threw for two scores.

The Hurricanes have dropped two straight and six of eight against Virginia Tech, including a 31-17 defeat last year. In fact, the Hurricanes, who have the worst pass offense in the ACC (literally right behind Virginia Tech nationally), haven’t scored more than 17 points in any of the past five games against the Hokies.

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