Boston College at Virginia Tech: VT Offense vs. BC Defense
By Joe Micik
Sep 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Maine quarterback Drew Belcher (14) is swarmed by Boston College linebacker
Josh Keyes(25), defensive lineman
Brian Mihalik(99), defensive end
Kevin Kavalec(93) and defensive lineman
Noa Merritt(94) during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
VT Offense vs. BC Defense: Stat Analysis
Virginia Tech has a mediocre offense at best, and that has been borne out by the overall numbers. What they don’t mention specifically are the specifics of their last game against the Miami Hurricanes. In that contest, the Hokies scored only six points, held to 262 yards while turning the ball over three times. They also went just 3-for-12 on third downs in what little time they had the football.
Hokie quarterback Michael Brewer is getting the call again this weekend, despite the fact that his body of work has left Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer wanting. He has 11 touchdowns and interceptions each, but is eighth in the conference in terms of total offense generated. Only John Wolford, who the Eagles saw last week, has thrown more interceptions in the ACC than Brewer.
The Virginia Tech run game is even less exciting, with the team averaging just 3.9 yards per carry (11th in the ACC).
On the other side, part of us as Eagles fans keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop and for this defense to revert back to what it was at the end of the previous regime. Two-thirds of the way through the season, maybe Boston College’s defense is as good as the stats say they are.
Has it been perfect? No. For example, Boston College nearly got manhandled in the second half against Wake after complete dominance in the first, and they have given up their share of big plays all year. Yet, in college football, eight games is not that small of a sample size. Things have been good for the most part, and short of one very bad game against Pittsburgh, nobody has run on this team.
VT Offense vs. BC Defense: Key Matchup
Michael Brewer vs. Justin Simmons. The Eagles’ junior cornerback is second on the team in tackles, and he made an interception to put the game away last week. Meanwhile, Brewer throws a bunch of interceptions despite a decent completion percentage. Simmons and the secondary need to be opportunistic, especially considering that the Hokies will probably not be able to turn to the run game.
VT Offense vs. BC Defense: Virginia Tech Names to Know
- Freshman RB Marshawn Williams leads Virginia Tech with 437 rushing yards, and is tied for the team lead with three rushing TDs.
- 5th-year senior QB Mark Leal is the one coming into the game if Beamer has had enough of Brewer.
- Freshman WR Isaiah Ford is the Hokies’ top receiver with 447 yards and five touchdowns.
- Redshirt freshman TE Bucky Hodges, who will be a key target, has four touchdowns and 316 receiving yards.
- Center David Wang is a sixth-year player, if you can believe that.
VT Offense vs. BC Defense: Final Analysis
The Hokies have done damage to the Eagles offensively the last two times Boston College visited Lane Stadium. Neither team is the same now. Virginia Tech is not likely to play at a blistering pace, while the Eagles are playing with a great deal of confidence while the defense is on the field.
Again, much depends on how much energy and pride the Hokies exhibit following a rout against Miami in prime time, but there is no reason Boston College cannot put together a commendable performance based on everything we have seen so far.