MIAMI (Ticker) -- With another showdown on the horizon next week, second-ranked Miami tries to continue its Big East Conference dominance when it hosts West Virginia on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes are seeking their 26th straight victory in conference play. Miami also has won 24 straight games at the Orange Bowl and has won its last 36 regular-season games overall.
After this week's contest in the Orange Bowl, the Hurricanes will host No. 5 Florida State on October 11 in the biggest game of the season to date.
"You always want to look ahead, but we can't" tackle Eric Winston told the Miami Herald. ""We all know West Virginia can turn its season around with one game."
Miami (4-0, 1-0) was off last weekend after a 33-14 win at Boston College on September 20.
Brock Berlin has made a relatively smooth transition as the new starting quarterback at Miami. He has completed passes to 12 different receivers, finding tight end Kellen Winslow 15 times, and engineered a dramatic comeback victory over Florida.
But somewhat overlooked is Miami's balance. The Hurricanes scored on a punt return by Roscoe Parrish and an interception return by Sean Taylor in the win over Boston College.
Frank Gore opened the season with three straight 100-yard rushing games and is averaging 113.3 yards per games.
West Virginia (1-3), which is playing its Big East opener, is off to a disappointing start, losing to Cincinnati and Maryland in its last two games.
Rasheed Marshall of the Mountaineers has thrown for just 442 yards, but has six touchdown passes.
Miami has won the last five meetings in the series, but the Mountaineers did put a scare into Hurricanes last season. West Virginia led, 24-23, late in the third quarter before a touchdown pass by Ken Dorsey and a touchdown run by Willis McGahee four minutes apart.
