East Carolina vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview

Welcome back to national relevance, Virginia Tech. After last week's upset win at No. 8 Ohio State, the Hokies find themselves back in the Top 25, debuting at No. 17 this week. 

Now, the Hokies head back to Blacksburg and play host to East Carolina. The Pirates, at 1-1, are coming off of a disappointing loss at South Carolina last week. ECU was in control of the game throughout the first half, but two second-half turnovers ruined any chance of the Pirates pulling off an upset win over the Gamecocks. 

This has become an annual rivalry of sorts in recent years, as the teams have met six times over the past seven years, with the Hokies winning five of those matchups. ECU's lone win in that span was a 2008 season-opening win over the then-No. 15 Hokies in Charlotte. 

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 22-5. The last two meetings were close, as Tech won 15-10 in 2013 and 17-10 in 2011. 

• When: Saturday, September 13, 2014
• Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
• Time: Noon ET
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
• Spread: The Hokies are currently listed as 11-point favorites. 

East Carolina Keys to Victory

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ECU QB Shane Carden

No Turnovers

ECU's offense was rolling against South Carolina last week until two third-quarter interceptions changed the entire course of the game. The Pirates moved the ball at will in the first half, thanks in large part to quarterback Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy. 

The turnovers led to 10 South Carolina points, which ended up being its margin of victory. If the Pirates have turnovers against the Hokies, the results will surely be the same.

Balance

Yes, ECU is a pass-first team, but that also plays in its favor against an aggressive defense like Virginia Tech. The Hokies will be loading up on pass-rushers and defensive backs, therefore, at least theoretically, opening up running lanes for the East Carolina running backs.

Breon Allen had four attempts for 58 yards against the Gamecocks. ECU should find more ways to get Allen in space. He is arguably the Pirates' fastest offensive player.

However, last year against the Hokies, ECU mustered just 204 total yards, 46 of which came on the ground. Look for Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster to try to take away Hardy, making the running game a bigger focus for the Pirates. 

Aggressive on Defense

Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer is making just his third start under center for the Hokies. He was beaten and battered in last week's win over Ohio State, and ECU would be wise to send extra rushers at Brewer every chance it gets. 

The Hokies have some talented young running backs, but the running game is still a work in progress. ECU should do its best to make Brewer uncomfortable and make Tech's running game beat them.

Virginia Tech Keys to Victory

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Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer

Avoid Letdown

It happens so often: A team coming off of a big win is unprepared the following week and suffers a disappointing loss. Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer knows this all too well. If the Hokies expect to have a special season, they need to follow up last week's performance with a decisive win over East Carolina. 

The Pirates have a veteran quarterback and talent on both sides of the ball; they are capable of pulling off the upset.

Stick With Running Game

Beamer has long been committed to running the football. That's his philosophy. But offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has adjusted Tech's scheme over the past two seasons, and now the Hokies are developing a good passing game.

However, the Hokies still want to run the ball. Against Ohio State, even when yardage was nowhere to be found, Tech kept plugging away. The best way for VT to develop a consistent running game again is to stay with it. 

Expect Trey Edmunds to get back into the mix at tailback this weekend. 

Pressure, Pressure, Pressure

Foster always brings the heat. Whether it's a first-time starter or a four-year veteran, that strategy won't change.

In last season's meeting, Foster stuck with his normal game plan: send extra rushers and rely on the defensive backs to win one-on-one matchups. That's likely how things will go this weekend. Extra pressure will force Carden to make quicker decisions than he'd like, helping increase the chances of Virginia Tech forcing a turnover or two. 

East Carolina Players to Watch

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Justin Hardy

Shane Carden

Carden, the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year, is one of the more successful and experienced signal-callers in all of college football. However, it was his two ill-timed throws that likely cost the Pirates a win at South Carolina. Carden is facing the nation's top pass rush this weekend, so he better get rid of the ball quickly.

Justin Hardy

It's possible that Hardy will lead the nation in receptions in 2014. Sure, it's a product of the offense he plays in, but he is also a phenomenal talent. Hardy runs great routes, is quick and possesses strong hands. He's a tough matchup for any corner one-on-one. Expect him to see plenty of Kendall Fuller.

Breon Allen

The Pirates need a playmaker, besides Hardy, to step up on offense. Allen could be that guy. He's extremely fast and can be an explosive weapon out of the backfield. He needs more than four attempts running the football against the Hokies. Look for ECU to try to get Allen into space.

Virginia Tech Players to Watch

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Kendall Fuller

Michael Brewer

Tech's starting quarterback continues to impress Hokie Nation. Two weeks into the season, Brewer has proven why Beamer and Loeffler felt he was the man for the job. Brewer gives the Hokies' offense the consistency it's lacked for years under center. Brewer was beaten around last week, so this weekend will be a big test for him and his young receivers. 

Joshua Stanford

Stanford was expected to be the Hokies' top receiver in 2014. However, a hamstring injury in the season opener limited him, and he has just three receptions on the season.

For Tech's offense to realize its full potential, Stanford needs to get going. Look for Loeffler and Brewer to try to involve him early in the game. Not only is Stanford fast, but he also excels at getting yards after the catch. Tech needs him to relieve some of the pressure off of Isaiah Ford and Willie Byrn. 

Kendall Fuller

Arguably the nation's top corner, Fuller will have a big test this weekend against Hardy. Fuller can play one-on-one with any receiver in college football and win. Hardy presents a big test because of his route-running ability. From Virginia Tech's perspective, this is likely the biggest individual matchup of the game. 

What They're Saying

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East Carolina head coach Ruffin McNeill

East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill respects the Hokies, specifically Beamer's sustained success, per Adam Thompson of The Sun Journal:

"

We’ll get ready for Virginia Tech and we know we face another perennial power. Coach Beamer has, year-in and year-out, built a program that wins for seasons and not for a season. I've always admired what Coach Beamer does. We know he has a high-caliber football team and we'll have to have a great week of preparation.

"

Prediction

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Tech receiver Willie Byrn versus an East Carolina defender in 2013

Is this Hokie team for real? It's too early to tell, but this weekend will be a big test. East Carolina will come to play and has the talent to hang with the Hokies for a while.

However, the Pirates will need some good fortune to pull off the win. With Brewer playing at such a high level for the Hokies, it will be tough. And Tech's defense, as usual, is playing at a really high level.

The game will be close at halftime, but in the end, the Hokies will be too strong for ECU.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, East Carolina 16