Going into Atlanta on Saturday afternoon to play Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech has a difficult game in front of them. We thought the same thing two weeks ago when the Hokies went to Raleigh to play North Carolina State and they pulled off the upset.
Georgia Tech, however, poses a difficult matchup with the quarterback Haynes King-led offense. The 13th-ranked Yellow Jackets will enter the game as a two-touchdown favorite over the Hokies, who enter their first of two byes following the game.
If Virginia Tech is going to pull off an upset, a former Virginia Tech wide receiver laid out the path to a victory.
Former Virginia Tech wide receiver lays out path to an upset of Georgia Tech
Former Virginia Tech wide receiver Eddie Royal is in Atlanta with the ACC Huddle for Saturday's game. On Friday, he joined ESPN's SportsCenter and explained how the Hokies can shock the Yellow Jackets and the rest of the ACC and leave with a win.
"It starts with stopping the run,'' said Royal. "Haynes King is one of the best in the country at running the ball. He's averaging 95 yards a game as a quarterback, rushing. It all starts and stops with him, and if you can stop the quarterback run, that's going to be huge. Georgia Tech loves to run the football, and Virginia Tech needs to have Haynes King as the number one goal and stopping this guy.
"Kyron Drones has to get off to a fast start. This running game of Virginia Tech needs to step up. If there is one thing that Georgia Tech doesn't do well is stop the run. They're last in the ACC, giving up 166 yards per game. (Virginia Tech) is going to have to run the football.''
That is all easier said than done for a Hokies' roster that is dealing with players in the portal after Brent Pry was fired and injuries. Running back Terion Stewart is questionable with an injury he suffered last weekend at home against Wake Forest. Getting him back would help Virginia Tech's running game against the Yellow Jackets.