FACTS & STATS: Site: Dolphin Stadium (74,916) -- Miami Gardens, Florida.. Television:ESPN. Home Record: Virginia Tech 4-0, Miami 3-2. Away Record: Virginia Tech 2-2, Miami 3-1. Neutral Record: Virginia Tech 0-0, Miami 0-0. Conference Record: Virginia Tech 3-2, Miami 3-2. Series Record: Miami-Florida leads, 16-9.

GAME NOTES: In a key ACC Coastal Division matchup, the red-hot Miami-Florida Hurricanes are set to host the Virginia Tech Hokies at Dolphin Stadium this Thursday night. The two programs are tied, along with North Carolina, atop the Coast Division standings at 3-2 with just a handful of games remaining in the regular season. The Hurricanes put themselves in this spot by winning their last three conference games following an 0-2 start to ACC play. Overall, Miami has won four straight outings, including a 24-17 overtime triumph over Virginia in its last appearance on November 1st. The win pushed the Hurricanes to 6-3 overall, as they have clearly overcome a sub par 2-3 start to the season. As for Tech, it was last in play exactly a week ago, when it upended then 23rd-ranked Maryland 23-13 on its home field. The victory put the breaks on a two-game slide and upped the team's overall mark to 6-3. The Hokies now take back to the road, where they have lost two straight, but still own an impressive 16-3 record in ACC play since joining the league in 2004. In terms of the all-time series, Miami holds a 16-9 edge over Tech, although the Hokies have won two straight and four of the past five meetings.

Like many teams in the ACC, the Hokies don't bring an explosive offense to the table, as they are averaging just 23.8 ppg and a only 293.3 total ypg. The unit, though, has done a good job with its ground game, rushing for 172.6 ypg, and has also fared well in protecting the ball, committing just 10 turnovers. In the team's last game, VT gained 400 total yards, including 273 on the ground, in a 23-13 win over Maryland. Darren Evans led the charge, as he rushed for a school-record 253 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. The redshirt freshman, whose previous high this year was 94 yards, has been a pleasant surprise and he leads the team with 772 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Despite an ankle injury, Sean Glennon made the start for VT last week and he did a solid job in throwing for 127 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-20 pass attempts. Tyrod Taylor, who missed last game with an ankle injury of his own, has also seen plenty of time under center this season and he adds another dimension to this offense, rushing for 442 yards in seven appearances. He, however, is listed as questionable and that will most likely mean another start for Glennon, who has passed for 474 yards and a pair of scores in six showings this season.

Defensively, VT may not be as strong as years past, but this unit is still pretty solid from top to bottom. The Hokies have fared well against both the run (103.9 ypg) and pass (191.9 ypg) on the year and they have also done well in creating turnovers, forcing 20 thus far. Last week, VT's defense was on top of its game, limiting Maryland to just 228 total yards, including -12 yards on the ground. The defense allowed Maryland to convert just 2-of-11 third downs, as the unit spent a mere 22 minutes of the game on the field. The Hokies even recorded three sacks, bringing their season total to 21 in that department. Cody Grimm led the charge with seven tackles and a sack, while Orion Martin had six tops, to go with a forced fumble and sack. Grimm now has five sacks on the year, but that still trails Martin, who tops the roster with 6.5 and 11.5 TFLs.

The Hurricanes on offense, have had a little more success than their opponent in this one, as they are producing 29.8 ppg behind 322.1 total ypg. The team is managing 134.6 ypg on the ground and 187.6 ypg through the air, but has struggled with interceptions, throwing 13 on the year. In its last outing, Miami overcame three turnovers by racking up 448 total yards in an overtime win over Virginia. Craig Cooper turned in a solid effort for the Hurricanes, as he toted 24 times for 131 yards. It was one of the better performances this season by Cooper, who paces the club with 634 yards and four scores on the ground. Jacory Harris played a big part in the win over Virginia as well, throwing for 160 yards and two key touchdowns on 12-of-21 tosses. The freshman gunslinger may not have started the game, but Harris was definitely a factor, as he threw a game-tying 26-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left before hitting Aldarius Johnson on a nine-yard scoring strike in overtime. Robert Marve also saw time under center and he rushed for a touchdown, while passing for just 91 yards and a pick on 6-of-12 throws. On the year, Marve has thrown for 920 yards and seven scores, but he has also been picked off 10 times. Harris, on the other hand, has passed for 698 yards, with seven touchdowns against just three interceptions. Both will likely see time this week once again.

Miami's strength resides on the defensive side of the ball, where the Hurricanes are holding opponents to 21.9 ppg and only 286.9 total ypg. The defense has had success in stopping both the run (109.9 ypg) and pass (177.0 ypg) despite forcing a mere 12 turnovers. In their last game, the Hurricanes did well in limiting Virginia to just 311 total yards, but more importantly they held the Cavaliers without a single point in the second half and overtime of the 24-17 victory. Miami forced just one turnover, but that came in the overtime to preserve the victory. Sean Spence recovered the fumble in overtime and he finished with eight tackles to pace the Hurricanes. He now ranks fourth on team in tackles with 47 for the year.

This is a huge game for both programs, as the winner will have a leg up on the loser in a tight ACC race. Miami has been on fire of late, but the Hokies are no slouch and with a gritty effort on defense and some big plays on offense, they should emerge victorious in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 23, Miami-Florida 17

Thursday, November 13th, 7:30 p.m. (et)