3 things we learned & 3 questions we have after Virginia Tech football's first 6 games

The Virginia Tech football team enters their bye week 3-3, not a position that they were hoping to be in on Columbus Day Weekend. They have played four of their first six games away from Blacksburg and will have four of their last six at Lane Stadium following their first break. As the Hokies enjoy their weekend off from game action, here are three things we have learned through the first six games and three questions we have going forward.

3 things we have learned about Virginia Tech through 6 games

1. Moses Phillips is going to be a good one

One surprise this season on defense has been Mose Phillips in the secondary. He has made some big plays and been a factor all over the field. He had a really good spring season and Shawn Quinn was high on him through the spring and summer. You can see why in the first six games.

2. Jaylin Lane is a big-time playmaker

When it was announced that Tucker Holloway was going to miss the beginning of the season, that left a hole in the punt return game for the Hokies. Head coach Brent Pry was fortunate that he had a couple of experienced guys on the roster who did it at their previous school. One of those players, Jaylin Lane, already has returned one for a touchdown against Marshall.

That play at the end of the first quarter gave the Hokies some momentum in their 31-14 win in September. He also got the ball against Miami on a reverse and found the end zone from 25 yards out. The Middle Tennessee State transfer has proven if you ge the ball into his hands, he’s one of the best playmakers on the roster. 

3. Special teams have let Virginia Tech down

It can’t be stressed enough, that the special team’s gaffes have continued to hurt the Hokies. It started in Vanderbilt and carried right through Miami. Against Stanford this past weekend, it was their best 60-minute game and they’ll need that going forward over the final six games. Whether it’s been double numbers on the field, punt protection breakdown, missed field goals, or baffling play calls, if they clean that up, they would be in a much better place going forward.

3 questions about Virginia Tech we have for the final 6 games

1. Can Tyler Bowen continue to be aggressive with play-calling?

Stop me if we’ve seen this before. Early in the season, the offensive play-calling leaves a lot to be desired, but in their first ACC games, you have to give props to coordinator Tyler Bowen. He has made some very good calls and he has gotten execution from his players. Bowen has got the ball into his playmaker's hands and the results with 65 points combined against Miami and Stanford speak for themselves. 

2. Can Virginia Tech get to six ACC wins?

One look at the remaining schedule and it begins with home games against Boston College, on a Thursday night, and then Georgia Tech the following weekend. Those certainly feel like must-win games if they want to reach bowl-eligibility and get a better bowl big than they had last season. Clemson is the only remaining game where they should be an underdog.

3. Can Virginia Tech’s offensive line hold up?

The offensive line was an issue at times last season and it has been again this season. They have played better against Miami and Stanford, but is it sustainable? That’s going to be the deciding factor going forward between six wins and eight wins. Bhayshul Tuten has become a big factor on offense running the ball and that has been because of the holes that the line has opened up. Protecting Kyron Drones is also going to be a must as well.