Virginia Tech Football: 3 reasons the Hokies will beat Old Dominion
By Scott Roche
![Oct 27, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Grant Wells (6) drops back to pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports Oct 27, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Grant Wells (6) drops back to pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c68686190f899403f898e9aea82da3d64056a1850356248ef86d2c9e5e2d2649.jpg)
2. Home-field advantage
Old Dominion was preparing for the elements that they are going to see tonight. No, not the weather conditions, but the noise that will be coming from the sold-out crowd at Lane Stadium.
Coach Ricky Rahne practiced this week and played Aerosmith’s “Enter Sandman’’ hundreds of times ahead of the game to prepare his team for Virginia Tech’s entrance. Of course, it’s going to make more than an entrance and crowd noise to win the game.
College football is back 😎#ThisIsHome | @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/9hWUPHJGFZ
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) August 31, 2023
When it’s sold out, Lane Stadium can be one of the tougher places to play for visiting teams. It was not that way last season where the Hokies just went 2-3 at home with wins over Boston College and Wofford while losing to Miami, West Virginia, and Georgia Tech. The Miami and Georgia Tech games were close games, but West Virginia blew out the Hokies.
Virginia Tech generally takes advantage of games at home during the season and this season if they are going to become bowl-eligible, they will need to again. Starting off with a win over the Monarchs and getting revenge for last season is the perfect way to begin 2023.