Virginia Tech will be looking for its third straight win and third win in ACC play this season against Georgia Tech this weekend.
What are the three keys to a Hokies vs. Yellow Jackets victory?
1. Be prepared for either quarterback.
As of now, Georgia Tech has yet to name a starting quarterback for this weekend’s game, but both options have proven to be two-way, the type of quarterback the Hokies have struggled with. The Hokies’ defense has struggled to contain two-way quarterbacks this season, and all of their losses have been against players with that skill set. Haynes King and Zach Pyron are both capable runners, each with over 100 rushing yards and multiple rushing touchdowns this season. It will be interesting to see how the Hokies plan to defend against either of them.
2. Reduce turnovers and manage soccer efficiently
Georgia Tech has proven to be a strong run-stopping team, allowing just 103.7 rushing yards per game this season. This is very important for the Hokies, who like to run the football but struggle with ball security against certain teams. Georgia Tech is averaging 30.4 points per game, so they will likely capitalize on mistakes. If Virginia Tech falls behind, it will have a harder time sticking to the running game and will be forced to adopt a different style of play than its preferred. The Hokies are currently averaging 209.3 rushing yards per game, and running back Beishul Tuten has scored a touchdown in nine straight games. If they get off to a strong start on both offense and defense, it won’t be a problem to play their usual football, making a win more likely, especially considering Tuten’s four-touchdown performance last week. It will come.
3. Consistency in all aspects
Since the start of the season, the Hokies have struggled with consistency and have already lost three games. They tend to start strong in the first quarter or first half, but struggle in the second half, or vice versa. This pattern is concerning, especially against stronger teams where such inconsistency could lead to losses. Last week, for example, they led Boston College 28-0 at halftime, then allowed 21 points, eventually scoring 14 straight points in the fourth quarter for a 42-21 victory. If the same thing happens again this weekend, the result could be different and not ideal against a team expected to dominate.
Additional links:
Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech: 3 players to watch in the Yellow Jackets offense
Virginia Tech football: 3 things Hokies must fix heading into matchup with Georgia Tech
Virginia Tech football: Can Beishul Tuten catch Ashton Giunty as the nation’s leading rusher?
