QB Stephen Morris and Miami will try to snap a three-game losing streak Thursday against Virginia Tech. (US Presswire)

Virginia Tech (4-4, 2-2 ACC) at Miami (4-4, 3-2 ACC)

Kickoff: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Spread: Virginia Tech by 2

Watchability: This game is effectively an elimination game in the Coastal Division race. With a win, the Hokies would own tiebreakers over Miami and Duke, their main competition in the division race. Virginia Tech has lost six straight games away from Lane Stadium, the longest streak since the 1990-91 seasons. Miami has lost three in a row and is averaging just 12.3 points per game in that span. The Hurricanes still control their own destiny and could win their first ever Coastal Division title with wins over Virginia Tech and at Duke on Nov. 24.

Shining Stars: Virginia Tech -- QB Logan Thomas has thrown 13 touchdowns and run for five more. In his last game against Clemson, Thomas had a career-high 21 rushing attempts and 99 rushing yards. Miami -- QB Stephen Morris used the bye week to recover from an ankle injury he suffered Oct. 13 against North Carolina. Morris has thrown just one touchdown with three interceptions in his last three games.

Who could steal the show: Virginia Tech -- DT Luther Maddy has four sacks in the last two games and has fully recovered from an ankle injury he suffered in the opener against Georgia Tech. Maddy is from nearby Delray Beach, Fla., and he was set to sign with Western Michigan before a late offer from Virginia Tech the day before signing day in 2011. Miami -- RB Duke Johnson burst onto the scene at the beginning of this season, but he has been held in check lately. Johnson still is a threat whenever he touches the ball. He is third in the conference in all-purpose yards (142.8 ypg).

You going? Ranking the road trip: Sun Life Stadium was full for the Florida State game, which was nice to see. However, that atmosphere won’t be duplicated Thursday night.

Magic number for Virginia Tech: 10. The Hokies have 10 sacks in their last two games after managing just eight in the first six games. Virginia Tech’s front seven was disappointing in the first half of the season but has woken up of late. Miami has given up 13 sacks this season.

Magic number for Miami: 499.1. Miami ranks No. 116 nationally in total defense, giving up 499.1 yards per game. The Hurricanes have given up at least 419 yards to each of their seven FBS opponents this season.

The game comes down to: Whether Miami can run the ball on Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes have been held to 85 or fewer rushing yards in half of their games this season, and they have lost three of those games. On the other side, the Hokies are giving up 167.1 yards per game on the ground. Miami needs to be able to run the ball because one-dimensional offenses do not fare well against Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Miami 24

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.