Virginia Tech Football: 3 bold predictions against Boston College

After a bye week, the Virginia Tech football team returns to the field Thursday night to host Boston College in a mid-season ACC showdown. The Eagles come in at 4-2 while the Hokies are somewhat disappointing at 3-3. What is better than a Thursday night game in the fall in Blacksburg at Lane Stadium?

Virginia Tech begins the second half of the season and will get four of their final six games at home beginning with the Eagles. As the campus prepares for ESPN SportsCenter as well as the ESPN broadcast, here are three bold predictions.

Virginia Tech struggles running the ball

The Hokies were able to run the ball successfully against Stanford on Oct. 5 in a 31-7 victory. The Cardinal entered the game as the top defensive unit against the rush and Tech rushed for over 100 yards. BC has a stout running game as well and it will be tougher sledding for Virginia Tech this week.

Boston College has allowed just two rushing touchdowns through their first six games aaginst some good competition. Trying to establish Bhayshul Tuten early and often will be key for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen. If the running game gets going, that opens up a lot of things for the Hokies.

Kyron Drones throws for over 200 yards

If BC is able to control the running game, it will be imperative that quarterback Kyron Drones has success throwing the ball. He has shown signs through the first six weeks of being the QB we thought we would see all season long, but then he makes some questionable decisions and bad throws. He certainly has the playmakers to make plays down the field, it’s just a matter of getting the ball to them against a secondary that is more improved under first-year coach Bill O’Brien this season.

Boston College easily covers the spread

Virginia Tech opened up as a 7-point favorite over the Eagles. Again, because we keep getting the inconsistent Hokies, it’s hard to see them covering. BC played well in a hostile environment at Missouri and nearly knocked off the then-Top 10 Tigers in a tough environment. Playing at Lane Stadium won’t intimidate them and until Virginia Tech can prove weekly that they can be the team we saw at Stanford, seven points seems like a lot.

That is not an official prediction and that will come Thursday morning, but it’s safe to say that this is a rather big game for the Hokies on their path to becoming bowl-eligible in 2024.