Sugar Bowl 2012: 5 Virginia Tech Players You Need to Know

Tuesday’s Sugar Bowl is a game that many Hokies didn’t expect to be in. In fact, most fans believed that Virginia Tech would be playing in Atlanta today in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl.

There has been a lot of negative criticism about the Hokies in recent weeks, but that will all but be forgotten come game time.

This will be the fourth time that the Hokies will have gone to the Sugar Bowl. This year, they will be playing a solid team in Michigan. The two programs haven’t met before, and this promises to be a great game. On paper, this seems like an even matchup.

If the Hokies want to win this game and silence the critics, then there are five key players that must step up in the biggest game of the season. These aren’t the Logan Thomases and David Wilsons of Frank Beamer’s team. Those two have to play well if the Hokies are going to win, but this is a list of the unsung players and the X-factors.

The less notable players are the ones that will win or lose this game for Virginia Tech. The following is a list of five Hokies you need to know for the Sugar Bowl.

Blake DeChristopher, OT

Blake DeChristopher has had an exceptional season as a starting tackle for the Hokies. The senior earned first team All-ACC honors in 2011.

The offensive tackle began the season with a strained left pectoral muscle, but he has been a rock on the offensive line since his return.

The men in the trenches are often the faceless players to fans. However, DeChristopher and his beard are a little more noticeable. DeChristopher has been one of the Hokies’ most valuable players this season, and he needs to continue his dominance against Michigan.

If DeChristopher can’t give Thomas time to find receivers and create running lanes for Wilson, then it could be a long day for the Hokies offense.

Kyle Fuller, CB

Kyle Fuller has had an excellent season. The true sophomore started the season as the field corner, but because of injuries, he had to play multiple positions. He proved himself to be the most versatile player in Bud Foster’s defense. Besides playing corner, Fuller also played nickelback and linebacker in 2011.

Fuller only had one interception this season, but he had 64 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The corner is a great tackler and has shown good ability in coverage.

Boundary corner Jayron Hosley was supposed to be the star this season, but Fuller stole the spotlight. He was the defensive MVP this season. He has to play like it to slow down Michigan’s offense.

Marcus Davis, WR

Davis has had an up-and-down season. The receiver had some issues with drops early in the season.

Davis is the third receiver on this team, but despite that, he has 29 receptions for 499 yards and five touchdowns.

Davis’s statistics might not show it, but he is the most explosive receiver on this team (when he is on). He is a big-play receiver who has the size, speed and athletic ability to make a huge impact on this game. If Davis is on his game, then Michigan’s defense will have a difficult time stopping him.

He is a mismatch on just about any corner that lines up across from him. Davis is a big X-factor in this game.

Derrick Hopkins, DT

Hopkins started the season lined up next to his older brother Antoine on the defensive line. His brother went down with a torn ACL during the first Clemson game.

Derrick has had a solid season in the middle of the defensive line. The sophomore had 49 tackles, three sacks and five tackles for loss in 2011.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is the biggest threat to the Hokies defense. The secondary will be in charge of controlling the passing game, but the defensive line has to contain Robinson as a runner. Hopkins is a huge key to this.

If the defense is going to contain the Wolverines’ QB, then pressure up the middle is a must. That all falls on Hopkins’ shoulders. 

Justin Myer, K

Special teams play will be a huge factor in this game. When two good defenses play each other, then the game often falls into the hands of the kickers. A made or missed field goal could mean the game for either team.

Unfortunately, the first- and second-string place kickers have made some stupid mistakes over the past couple of weeks. Starter Cody Journell was recently arrested and charged with breaking and entering. He has been suspended from the team indefinitely. Backup Tyler Weiss was sent home from New Orleans for breaking curfew.

This puts all of the pressure on Myer. Justin is the kickoff specialist for Virginia Tech. He has the leg but doesn’t have good accuracy. He was 0-for-2 on field-goal attempts this season (both attempts were from more than 50 yards). Myer is the biggest X-factor in this game. Empty possessions kill teams, so it will be up to him to get the Hokies points when he can.

Myer has to make the most of his opportunities if Virginia Tech is going to walk out of New Orleans with the Sugar Bowl in hand.