Virginia Tech Football: 3 Keys to Beating Syracuse on the Road

Riding a three-game winning streak, the Virginia Tech football team will head to Syracuse to play at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. No matter what the name of the Dome is, it’s been nothing but troubling for the Hokies when they play up there. This season, they hope that this team will be able to break the struggles in New York.

If they are going to do it, they are going to have to do it against a 5-2 Syracuse team that looks nothing like the team that Virginia Tech routed, 38-10, last October in Blacksburg. If the Hokies are going to have better luck this trip, here are three keys that would go a long way toward helping them become bowl-eligible.

Establish the running game

Syracuse has one of the better offenses in the ACC and they can control the ball with the best of teams. Keeping their offense off the field and giving Virginia Tech’s defense a break throughout the game, running the ball is a must. The big question is, will Bhayshul Tuten play after suffering an ankle injury late in the game against Georgia Tech?

Tuesday, head coach Brent Pry said that Tuten is probable for the game along with Xavier Chaplin, but it will likely go right up until game time before a decision is made. Regardless of whether or not Tuten plays, expect to see Malachi Thomas and Jeremiah Coney carry the ball.

Get pressure early and often on Kyle McCord

Pittsburgh supplied a lot of pressure early and often on McCord and it paid off with three pick 6s in the first half alone that led to a 31-0 deficit for the Orange. The Ohio State transfer is much better than he showed last Thursday night at Pitt ads expect him to have a big bounce-back game at home. He has too many good receivers that can make plays.

However, if you’re on the Virginia Tech defense, you can’t help but think if you pressure him early that it could rattle him. This could be a game where Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aneans Peebles have an afternoon.

Win the turnover battle

This has to be a key with every road team in college football, but it’s a necessity for the Hokies considering all the troubles they’ve had at the Dome. Don’t expect McCord to three pick 6s or even three picks at home.

Taking care of the ball on offense is necessary and Virginia Tech can’t afford to have Drones make some bad decisions as he did in the second half against Boston College or turn the ball over special teams. It feels like turnover will have a big part in the game’s outcome.