In the second installment of “It’s a Trap” we discuss Miami vs. the Virginia Cavaliers. If you missed the fist installment, we discussed a potential Trap Game against the Pittsburg Panthers, which you can read here.

On Saturday, October 29th your Miami Hurricanes travel to play the University of Virginia Cavaliers. The old school OBB in me thinks that Miami should absolutely throttle UVA every year but this series has always been contested. The University of Miami has 11 wins all time in this series and Virginia has 8. The longest winning streak for either side is only three games and the current winning streak is set at one. Current advantage UVA.

UVA has always had this real penchant for punishing Miami with a perplexing loss. The largest margin of victory for the Cavaliers was in 2007. That was the final game ever played at the beloved and historic Orange Bowl. The hoos won that game 48-0. Then who can forget last year. I was right next to former UM quarterback Malik Rosier when he said, “That is straight up and down Ro. No way he misses this.”

“That is straight up and down Ro. No way he misses this.” – Malik Rosier

Freshman kicker Andy Borregales did in fact miss that kick. Possibly it was a blessing in disguise because a coaching change is less likely if you are 8-4. I dare not even think such things.

Bronco Mendanhall inexplicably decided to retire. Mendenhall won the ACC Coastal (must be nice) two years prior so he had varying degrees of success there.  Now enter Tony Elliot, the former Clemson offensive coordinator, to take his place. Sure he doesn’t have Sir Locks and the only man who could displace Troy Polamalu’s head and shoulder’s gig in Trevor Lawrence, but Armstrong is no slouch.

Brenan Armstrong threw for close to 4500 yards and 31 touchdowns a year ago and definitely has some firepower returning. Dontayvion Wicks, Billy Kemp, Malachi Fields and former quarterback Keyton Thompson are the pass catchers. Collectively Armstrong and crew were the number one passing offense in the ACC a year ago averaging 392.6 a game.

The offensive line is set to replace all five starters from 2021. Coach Elliot must figure out immediately how to keep his lefty gunslinger Armstrong upright. Virginia enlisted a couple smart kids to transfer at OL. Mac Hollensteiner from Georgetown and John Paul Flores from Dartmouth. Flores officially transferred. Hollensteiner opted to go back to Georgetown. This group has more questions than it does answers.

Virginia hasn’t been the poster child for stout defensive play as of late. They shook hands with the Duke Blue Devils as the two worst statistical defenses in the ACC last year. UVA was thirteenth out of fourteen schools respectively giving up 466 yards a game. The only thing that was able to stop the hurricanes offense a year a go was the goal post.

When you have the 121st-ranked defense in the land something has to give. John Rudzinski now takes over as defensive coordinator in coach Elliot’s inaugural season. Rudzinski took flight for 14 seasons as a member of the Air Force coaching staff including the last four as defensive coordinator. The Falcons finished the 2021 campaign fourth in the nation in total defense.

Nick Jackson lead the team in 117 tackles last year and returns at linebacker. That is good. However similar to the hog molly side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball is void of some talent. 63% of its total sack production is gone. They graduated.

The Miami Hurricanes are more than likely coming off a win the week prior when they play Duke. (Not a trap) The University of Virginia is tucked right between the Blue Devils and the Seminoles. That is what makes this game trap-like. Your instate-rival ominously looms on the horizon and revenge is on your mind. But if you aren’t careful, Armstrong and company will throw you right out of their building. Trap index high. Virginia historically always plays the Hurricanes close.