After almost a month of preparation, the Virginia Tech and Minnesota football teams will play in the Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night. The Gophers are currently a little more than a touchdown favorite and it shouldn't come as a surprise.
Virginia Tech has had a number of players enter the transfer portal and some have declared for the NFL Draft, which means they will not be on the field Friday night. There is going to be a number of younger players suiting up for head coach Brent Pry and former defensive coordinator Bud Foster will return to put on a headset for the game to advise Shawn Quinn and Pry defensively.
It feels like Virginia Tech is up against it, but here are three predictions for the game.
Pop Watson combines for 250-plus throwing and rushing yards
This may seem crazy, but expected the unexpected in this game for Virginia Tech. Kyron Drones is recovering from multiple injuries and Collin Schlee will backup Watson, but the thinking here is that despite being down some key wide receivers and offensive linemen, the exciting QB makes some plays with his arms and legs.
It may sound crazy I know, but hear me out. The Hokies have some younger players who have been itching at the opportunity to play and will perform well. Watson played well enough to beat Duke and played well to beat Virginia and expect him to make some plays against the Gophers.
Virginia Tech forces multiple turnovers
When Pry fired defensive coordinator Chris Marve, Shawn Quinn was tasked with the job of being the defensive coordinator for this game with Foster advising. It feels like Foster had a bigger say than just advising in the bowl prep. He'll be Pry's eye in the sky in the booth with a headset on for the game.
Expect a young defense to be flying around and whether it's some of the veterans on the defensive line, the linebackers at the second level, or some of the young defensive backs that Minnesota will test early and often, expect some big plays to be made by the defense.
Ali Jennings catches a touchdown pass in final game
Ali Jennings' time at Virginia Tech has been battling injuries, but expect him to go out with a bang in his final game. He said earlier this week that offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen might have some tricks up his sleeve and this is no better time to pull them out than in a bowl game.
No Jaylin Lane or Da'Quan Felton means more will be put on Jennings' shoulders with Ayden Greene and expect Pop Watson to throw the ball with some success. Jennings is just too good of a player to have his career end in frustrating fashion and when the Hokies get near the end zone, look for them to call his number at some point.