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Friday, December 13, 2002
No. 2 Virginia Tech
at No. 3 Miami
By Will Weiss
BCSfootball.com
There isn't a playoff system in place, but Saturday's game between Virginia Tech and Miami has all the makings of a postseason atmosphere. Both Va. Tech and Miami realize the game's significance as the outcome will determine each team's national championship fates.
Virginia Tech carries a five-game winning streak against Miami into the Orange Bowl, but the Hokies will face a much improved Miami team, that has won five games in a row, including an upset of then-No. 2 Florida State four weeks ago.
|  | | Frank Beamer's Hokies have won many games because of their special teams skills. |
"Without question, this is the best Miami team we've faced since I've been here," said Hokies head coach Frank Beamer.
The story of the week has been the ankle injury to all-everything quarterback Michael Vick. With Vick unlikely to start, replacing him will be fifth-year senior Dave Meyer, who led Va. Tech to a 37-34 comeback victory against Pitt last week, and has seen action in big games in the past.
"He's been around the program and he's confident in his abilities," Beamer said. "I think the football team was confident in him, but became more confident in him based on his performance last Saturday.
"We feel good that we've got an experienced, talented quarterback going there."
On the flip side, Miami's quarterback, Ken Dorsey, has been nothing short of spectacular since he bumbled against Washington earlier this season. Since the loss in Seattle, Dorsey has thrown for more than 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
During this recent surge, the 'Canes have put it together offensively, balancing the running game with James Jackson and Najeh Davenport, and the passing game with deep threat Santana Moss. Moss started slowly, but his punt returning has given him new life, and he is back to being the weapon he was made out to be at the beginning of the season.
Where Miami has clamped down and improved is on defense. This unit's ability to force turnovers has been the key to its success. Miami has forced 24 turnovers, including 16 interceptions. The Hurricanes' vaunted secondary will press this week, looking to take advantage of a hobbled Va. Tech receiving corps and an unknown quarterback.
But Vick's absence will not change Miami's defensive plans.
"Whether he starts or plays or does not, you can't redirect your game plan because they will stick with what they always do," said Miami head coach Butch Davis. "We wouldn't want to change our defensive game plan even if Dan Morgan cannot play."
When Virginia Tech has the ball:
When Meyer makes his third career start, he will go against Miami's talented linebackers, one of the fastest and hardest-hitting corps in the country. The 'Canes will be aggressive in their approach towards Meyer, keeping the Hokies' offensive line on its toes.
"As an offensive line, we don't want our quarterback to be touched," said Hokies offensive tackle Dave Kadela. "Our quarterback has been sacked this year, and that's very disappointing to us. Teams are bringing the heat, and we have to do a better job. That's the bottom line."
The announcement of Meyer as the starter left a sore spot among some of the 'Canes, who wanted another shot at Vick, after last season's 43-10 debacle in Blacksburg.
"We want Vick to play. Personally, I know the rest of the defense feels the same way. We love challenges," said Miami linebacker Dan Morgan. "But I really don't care who they play as quarterback. It doesn't matter ? we go after every quarterback the same."
Let's face it. Meyer is not Vick, but playing behind Jim Druckenmiller, Al Clark, and now Vick, Meyer knows this offense and its capabilities as well as anyone. When Vick went down last week against Pitt, it was Meyer who led the Hokies to the comeback win.
Vick's ankle injury isn't the only offensive malady the Hokies are concerned about. Wide receiver Andre Davis has missed the last game and a half due to bursitis in his left foot, but will return to the lineup. Ernest Wilford, who started in Davis' last week against Pitt, will see playing time as well. Meyer has another big target in 6-foot-3 junior Emmett Johnson, who has battled injuries this season.
Where Virginia Tech hopes to exploit Miami is on the ground. The Hokies' offensive line has dominated the line of scrimmage during Tech's five-game winning streak against Miami. The unit has continued to play well this year, as Tech brings the nation's fourth-best rushing offense (280.1 yards per game) to the Orange Bowl.
The ground attack took a blow with Vick's injury. Similar to Nebraska with Eric Crouch, Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter, Va. Tech has three dangerous backs in Vick, Lee Suggs and Andre Kendrick. Suggs is the workhorse, and has been all season. The redshirt sophomore has been the Hokies' offensive MVP this season, with 827 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. He needs at least 25-30 carries for the offense to be successful, wear down Miami's defensive athletes and keep the potent Hurricane offense on the sidelines.
When Suggs gets a breather, Kendrick gets the pigskin. He provides a different punch than Suggs. At 5-7, he is five inches smaller than Suggs, but is equally as elusive and durable. Kendrick also provides a receiving option out of the backfield, adding diversity to Beamer's offensive diagram.
|  | | Miami QB Ken Dorsey has a new set of receiving talent this season. |
When Miami has the ball:
Talk about weapons. Dorsey has an arsenal most quarterbacks couldn't dream of: three dangerous running backs in Jackson, Davenport and Clinton Portis; Moss and Reggie Wayne at receivers, and a big offensive line.
Dorsey is the man that makes this offense go, however. He came of age on the final drive of the Florida State game and has the 'Canes poised for a title run. Dorsey's pocket presence and decision-making skills have improved, as have his ability to adjust and read blitzes.
Miami will try to take advantage of Va. Tech's vulnerability up front. Several Hurricane players and coaches have talked about employing a ball control offense, but this is a team that can open it up, and should do it early. After slipping in the BCS rankings this week after a close game with Louisiana Tech, Miami may need a large margin of victory to stay in position to play for the national championship. Scoring early and often will be the goal.
Don't be surprised to see Dorsey go downfield to Moss or Wayne on the opening series to spread the defense and open things up for Jackson, who has enjoyed a fair amount of success against Virginia Tech.
The most important thing for Miami is eliminating turnovers. In last year's meeting, six Miami turnovers (including three Portis fumbles) turned into 24 points for Va. Tech.
The 'Canes do not want to repeat the past this Saturday -- there is too much at stake.
News and notes:
Virginia Tech's 13-game winning streak is the longest since the conference was created in 1991.
Miami has totaled 48 penalties over the course of the five consecutive losses to Va. Tech.
Miami leads the all-time series 12-5.
Quote of the Week: "I think the fans would be more comfortable with Michael (Vick) than any other player in the country in there. Michael has shown himself to be spectacular and I've yielded to that."
--Virginia Tech starting QB Dave Meyer
Will Weiss is the assistant editor of BCSfootball.com.
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