In the 32nd game between the teams, Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1) will host Boston College (4-2, 1-1) at Lane Stadium.
Boston University exceeded their expectations, but also disappointed them. The Eagles started the year with an impressive win against then-10th ranked Florida State University. The Seminoles are currently one of the worst teams in the ACC and that win means nothing. Boston College then played a no-game against Duquesne, keeping the game within a touchdown of No. 6 Missouri. Missouri State has now fallen to 19th in the nation after a 41-10 loss to Texas A&M. Boston College also lost to Virginia by 10 points, beat Western Kentucky by just one point, and beat Michigan State 3-3.
When it comes to resumes, Boston University is getting worse every week. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is getting better with each passing week.
The Hokies’ disappointing loss to Vanderbilt in Week 1 looks much different now than it did then. At the time, Vanderbilt was labeled as the worst team in the ACC and potentially one of the worst opponents for Virginia Tech. Since then, Vanderbilt has upset the No. 1 team in the country and nearly escaped Missouri State with another top-10 win. The Commodores are much better than previously expected, and Virginia Tech has the huge amount of talent they need to play the rest of their schedule and turn this season around.
The Hokies got better as the weeks went on, winning 31-7 against Stanford and coming off what some might call a “pseudo loss” against Miami. So how will they fare against Boston College?
Virginia Tech Offense vs Boston College Defense
Boston College’s defense is the best unit the Eagles will have going into the game against Virginia Tech.
The Eagles allow opponents just 3.4 yards per rush and only 113 total rushing yards per game.
This is largely due to what Tim Lewis was able to accomplish on the Eagles’ defense, especially on the defensive line. The Eagles have multiple tackles over 6’5” who are very mobile and won’t be too limited in the run game. That’s why Boston University was so successful.
But what’s the other key to the run game? It’s just one player.
Donovan Ezeilak. He might be the best edge rusher in the country, let alone the best defensive edge rusher in the country. He leads the nation in sacks (9.0), tackles for loss (12), and is the biggest challenger Virginia Tech will face all season.
The Hokies also have a key player in their running game, but what is his name?
Beishul Tuten. He leads Virginia Tech’s offense in rushing, ranking 40th in the nation with 182.8 yards per game. He has improved each week, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and bursting out with 141 rushing yards with a touchdown against Miami. He is the linchpin of Virginia Tech’s offense, and if he doesn’t perform in this game, it could end badly for the Hokies.
But the other key will be the offensive line, not the wide receivers, quarterbacks or tight ends. Virginia Tech’s offensive line has been strong all season, and with Raith Gunnum still out, the Hokies are forced to make substitutions on a weekly basis.
If the Hokies want to have any success, they need to get to the second level quickly against Boston College.
Boston College Offense vs Virginia Tech Defense
The identity of Boston College’s offense has certainly changed.
Tomas Castellanos was used a lot in the run game this year, but has since ceded that role to a running back and dropped back more often in the passing game, an unexpected change. He averaged just 1.9 yards per rush and gained just 103 yards on the ground all year.
The running backs captured this Boston College offense well. Treshawn Ward leads the way with 5.7 yards per carry, followed by Turbo Richard and Kyle Robichaux with 4.9 and 3.8 yards per carry, respectively. The offense is built around what Ward, Richard and Robicheaux can do.
Ward is the Eagles’ fourth-leading receiver on offense with 141 yards.
But Bill O’Brien likes to involve a lot of players in the passing game, and freshman backup wide receiver Reid Harris has four catches this year. Chronologically, his catches were for 10 yards, 72 yards and a touchdown, 67 yards and a touchdown, and 27 yards against Virginia. Be careful as he might make some noise in the passing game.
Virginia Tech had a shaky season defensively. In some games, such as the game against Stanford, the only points the Hokies allowed came from closely guarded flea flicker plays. On other days, Virginia Tech’s corners were exposed by Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense. It’s a weekly process.
That being said, the defense, especially the pass defense, was much improved from that week’s matchup.
Antoine Powell-Ryland led the Hokies’ pass rush to become the best team in the nation. The Hokies were second in the nation in sacking quarterbacks at 11.49 percent, just behind Northern Illinois’ defense.
Look for Dorian Strong to make a big comeback in this game as the Hokies try to force Boston College to pass the ball.
final prediction
I don’t think this is an easy win for Virginia Tech, but given the importance of this game to the Hokies’ future and Pry’s preseason goals in the ACC, this game is absolutely paramount.
Perhaps even outside of the Miami game, Pry will have the Hokies more prepared than ever for this year’s matchup. But Virginia Tech wants to come out of the bye and continue their strong run, and I believe they will do that well.
Final score: Virginia Tech 25, Boston College 17
Additional links:
Virginia Tech football: Josh Pate rates Virginia Tech as the most ‘quiet, well-positioned team’
Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Final score prediction for Thursday’s game
Virginia Tech football: 3 stories from Thursday’s game vs. Boston College.
