Virginia @ Miami (FL) preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 10, 2012 ) Miami 40, Virginia 41

While Miami is certainly upset with the results of its recent past, its top priority is to not let those disappointing performances spoil the immediate future. The Hurricanes on Saturday will try to snap a three-game losing streak - with revenge on their minds - when they host Virginia on Senior Day. “We get to go to a bowl game for the first time in three seasons, which is obviously going to help us move the program forward," coach Al Golden told the Miami Herald. “We’re excited about the future. We’re not down."

Miami, which lost to the Cavaliers 41-40 on a touchdown with six seconds left last season, could wind up in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against No. 10 Texas A&M in Atlanta on Dec. 31, but must defeat Virginia and win at Pittsburgh on Nov. 29 to remain in the running. The Hurricanes were eliminated from ACC title game contention when they allowed 358 rushing yards in a 48-30 loss to No. 24 Duke last week. The Cavaliers have lost seven straight games - the latest a 45-14 setback at North Carolina on Nov. 9 - but received news that Andrew Brown, considered the nation's top defensive lineman by many recruiting services, intends to enroll at Virginia in January.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Miami -19.5

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-8, 0-6 ACC): The Cavaliers are 108th in the country in scoring at 20.5 points per game and rank 81st in both rushing (152.7 yards) and passing (212.6). Sophomore quarterback David Watford has struggled while completing 58.3 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions but he hasn't received the support of an effective running game. Junior running back Kevin Parks (796 yards), who stands 5-8, has accounted for more than half of Virginia's rushing yards and 10 of its 11 touchdowns on the ground and is also second on the team with 34 receptions and tied for second with 305 receiving yards.

ABOUT MIAMI (7-3, 3-3): Miami's biggest problem is on defense, where it has allowed an average of 43.7 points during the losing streak after allowing 17.7 in its first seven contests. The Hurricanes also must be more sharp mentally. “It’s the seniors’ last home game,” Golden said. “It’s important to rally around those guys. They’ve been through a lot. It’s important that we respond. ... We have to get our minds right and finish the season. It’s my responsibility to get them focused.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Hurricanes were 7-0 and ranked seventh in the BCS standings before getting run over by No. 2 Florida State 41-14 on Nov. 2.

2. Virginia has been outscored 106-49 in the fourth quarter.

3. The Cavaliers have won three straight in the series, which is tied 5-5.

PREDICTION: Miami 42, Virginia 13