Virginia Tech-Boston College Preview
By Tim Thomas
Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas (3) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Virginia Tech Hokies might have lost to Duke last week in an upset but Frank Beamer will make sure his team is ready for this showdown with Boston College. The Hokies’ slim national title hopes disappeared last week with their upset loss but the Hokies still are in control of their own destiny in the ACC Coastal. Virginia Tech will now focus on trying to get to the ACC Championship and Virginia Tech will come out prepared to face a Boston College football team that has been somewhat revitalized by first year head coach Steve Addazio.
The first big matchup in this game will be between Boston College’s running game and the tough Virginia Tech defensive front 7. Andre Williams is a power running back that has already ran for over 1,000 rushing yards on the season with some very productive games. However, Williams’s two bad games came against USC and Clemson, two teams that have very solid defensive front 7s. Virginia Tech has one of the best front 7s in all of college football and will be able to shut down Williams. Virginia Tech’s defensive line has dominated plenty of opposing offensive lines and Boston College’s offensive line will be the latest victim led by Luther Maddy and Derrick Hopkins stuffing up the middle runs. Expect Jack Tyler’s instincts to allow him to have one of the best games of his collegiate career and lead the Hokies’ defense to completely shutting down Boston College’s running game.
The next big matchup will be between the Boston College passing game and the Virginia Tech secondary that was just tied this past Thursday by Houston for the most interceptions in college football. QB Chase Rettig has only thrown 4 interceptions so far but 2 of those came against a Florida State secondary that has players like LaMarcus Joyner. Boston College’s is 111th in passing yards per game in college football and only one wide receiver, Alex Amidon, has more than 100 receiving yards on the season. Amidon will be shut down by the Virginia Tech secondary and the Eagles will have to diversify to get the job done. Brandon Facyson and Kendall Fuller are candidates to be Freshman All-Americans and both players will continue to play well while Kyle Fuller will want to prove how good he is to NFL scouts with a big performance. Chase Rettig will struggle as the Virginia Tech defense has a great performance.
The final big matchup will be about Logan Thomas making the plays that he has to make against a Boston College secondary that has as many interceptions as Kendall Fuller. Thomas will need to avoid making tons of mistakes like he did last week against Duke and Scot Loefller will make sure Thomas is ready. Wide receivers Demitri Knowles and Willie Byrn have developed into solid targets and both of these players will be effective against the Eagles. The Hokies will be more effective throwing the football and that will be important in leading the Hokies to victory.
Virginia Tech will bounce back this week and take down Boston College by a score of 24 to 10.