Virginia Tech Football: Final thoughts on Virginia showdown

It’s hard to believe it, but we are at Week 13 of the college football season and that means one thing and one thing only, it’s Commonwealth Cup time before Virginia Tech and Virginia.

This year’s meeting will take place at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville at 3:30 and there is a lot more on the line for the Hokies other than in-state bragging rights. This is a program-changing game for Virginia Tech second-year head coach Brent Pry and his staff.

Virginia Tech needs a win to become bowl-eligible

When the Hokies went 1-3 in their four non-conference games to begin the season, it was tough to envision that they would be in the position to become bowl-eligible in late November. However, to their credit and Pry’s, they have been good in ACC play, mostly at home, and find themselves at 5-6 and seeking the all-important sixth win.

Virginia Tech is 1-4 away from Blacksburg, but their last game on the road at Boston College was a 48-22 rout of the Eagles in as impressive of a performance as they have had in their three dominating conference wins at Lane Stadium against Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, and Syracuse

Virginia enters the contest 3-8 after beating Duke last weekend and would love nothing more than to end the Hokies and prevent them from getting another month of practice and one more game. If Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea has his way, Virginia will win the game, something he proclaimed after last Saturday’s win over the Blue Devils.

It’s plain and simple for Virginia Tech, find a way at the end of 60 minutes to have one more point than Virginia. Style points are not needed. Establishing the run with Bhayshul Tuten is a must and quarterback Kyron Drones needs to make some plays down the field to open up the running game.

Defensively, it’s simple, get off the field on third down, don’t allow big plays, and force turnovers. When the Hokies have been good, that’s what they’ve done this season. Again, nothing matters except a win and another month of valuable practices, and a game in late December.