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3 Virginia Tech football keys against Boston College

Having success in these areas would be huge for the Hokies to beat the Eagles on Thursday night.

By Scott Roche

Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) speaks with head coach Bill O'Brien before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Sep 2, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) speaks with head coach Bill O'Brien before the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images / Melina Myers-Imagn Images
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To say that the Virginia Tech football team is facing a huge test Thursday night at Lane Stadium against Boston College would be an understatement. The Hokies are coming off a 24-point win at Stanford on Oct. 5, while the Eagles dropped a 24-14 decision at Virginia that same day.

Both teams are coming off a bye to begin the second half of the season. Virginia Tech is looking to take the next step to becoming bowl-eligible and here are three keys to getting a win over BC.

Avoid a slow start

One huge storyline that has surrounded the Hokies this season is starting games slowly. It has been something that has cost them some games, including the season opener at Vanderbilt, an overtime loss, and at home against Rutgers, in a three-point loss.

They had much better starts at Miami and Stanford and if there is one thing we have learned this season is that they get better as the game goes along and faster starts are imperative. A Thursday night at Lane Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd against Boston College, there is no reason for them to not come out ready to go and start fast against the Eagles.

Contain Thomas Castellanos

Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos has had a good start to the season in the five games he played in (he missed a home game against Western Kentucky a couple of week ago). He is the type of quarterback that has given the Hokies troubles over the alst couple of years with his scrambling ability and his arm.

Under Bill O’Brien, he is a much better signal caller than the one Virginia Tech faced last season when they made things very difficult for him in a 48-22 Hokies romp. They picked him off on the game's first play and another INT set the tone and allowed Pry’s team to build a big lead and pull away. Getting off the field on third down will be big as well.

Establish the running game

Like Stanford, BC’s defense is tough aaginst the run, allowing only two rushing touchdowns in six games. Virginia Tech was able to run the ball against the Cardinal’s stout defensive line and they’ll need to do it against the Eagles. Tech’s offensive line play will be crucial in making that happen, something that has been up and down through the first half of the season.

Thursday night at Lane Stadium in the middle of October against Boston College? What more could Hokies’ fans ask for coming off a bye?

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