Boston College at Virginia Tech: 5 Big Questions

3.) What’s the drop-off from Ryan Williams/Darren Evans to David Wilson?

So far, it doesn’t appear to be that much, if any at all. Wilson is averaging 129 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry.

Williams, who was injured and appeared in 10 games last year (started five), put up 47.7 yards per game and only 4.3 yards per carry. Their leading rusher from last season, Darren Evans, averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 61 yards per game.

Back in 2009, a full season for Williams, he got a much better 127.3 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry.

Looking at these numbers, the Virginia Tech running game is as productive as it has been in recent years. It would have to be, seeing as how for the last few seasons, the Hokies run/pass ratio has been heavily slanted towards the run, and this year is no exception (though last year, they also had Tyrod Taylor racking up plenty of yards on the ground, and this year, Logan Thomas isn’t gaining nearly as many as Taylor did).

Of course, no good running game is complete without a solid offensive line, and even though the running backs usually get the credit, it’s the front five that do the dirty work. The Hokies lost some depth with the injury to sophomore reserve offensive lineman David Wang, but what they’ve got remaining is still playing well.

Boston College may see some different names on the jerseys, but in the run game, they won’t see less production from the Hokies.  If anything, with the run defense looking spottier this year, they might see more.