Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh: Complete Game Preview

After a much-needed week off, the Virginia Tech Hokies get back to work this week with a road matchup against Pittsburgh. 

Each team enters this week's game with a 1-1 mark in the ACC Coastal Division, but Pitt has lost three straight after opening the season 3-0. 

The Hokies lead the all-time series 8-5 and won last year's matchup, but the Panthers won the previous four meetings. 

Virginia Tech entered its bye week on a strong note with a convincing 34-17 win at North Carolina. Pitt lost a thriller at Virginia before its bye week. 

• When: Thursday, October 16, 2014
• Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
• Spread: The Hokies are presently two-point favorites, via Odds Shark.
  

Virginia Tech Keys to Victory

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Michael Brewer

Win Turnover Battle

For the season, Virginia Tech is minus-one in turnover differential. Usually, that's an area where the Hokies always dominate. A big reason for being on the negative side of the turnover ledger is quarterback Michael Brewer and his 11 interceptions. 

Brewer has at least one interception in every game this season and is personally responsible for 12 of Virginia Tech's 13 turnovers. He was better against North Carolina, and that must continue against Pitt on Thursday.

Find a Healthy Running Back

Shai McKenzie was lost for the season with an ACL injury against Western Michigan over two weeks ago. In the win over UNC, Trey Edmunds, in his first extensive time at running back since breaking his leg last season against Virginia, broke his clavicle and was lost for the season. 

Also, in the win at North Carolina, Tech's leading rusher, Marshawn Williams, sprained his ankle and still has not returned to practice. According to Andy Bitter of The Roanake Times, his availability for Thursday's game is still to be determined. 

If Williams does not play, it will be up to sophomore Joel Caleb and junior J.C. Coleman to carry the load. Coleman has struggled with his opportunities, while Caleb hasn't yet received a chance to be the team's featured back. 

Stop James Conner

Pitt's offense goes as Conner goes. The 6'2", 250-pound sophomore is fifth in the nation with 874 rushing yards.

The Hokies' first priority on defense is to always stop the opponent's running game. That won't change this week. Expect defensive coordinator Bud Foster to attack Pitt's running game and try and lock up on the Panthers receivers one-on-one on the outside.  

Pittsburgh Keys to Victory

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James Conner

Run the Ball

The Panthers, as a team, average almost 244 yards per game rushing. Conner is primarily responsible for that with 874 yards, good for 145 yards per game.

VT always does a good job of stopping the run, but its top interior lineman, Luther Maddy, will be a game-time decision, per Bitter. Even if Maddy does play, he won't be 100 percent. It's important for Pitt to stay committed to the run, even if it struggles early in the game. 

Involve Tyler Boyd

Pitt has a trio of super-talented sophomore playmakers: quarterback Chad Voytik, Conner and receiver Tyler Boyd. 

For the season, Boyd has 30 catches for 428 yards and four touchdowns. He's responsible for essentially half of Pitt's passing offense. Boyd is a dangerous weapon and Pitt would be wise to get him free in the passing game. He'll likely line up opposite of Kendall Fuller for much of the game, so it won't be easy.

But the Panthers must try and get Boyd the football several times. 

Force Turnovers

Virginia Tech will turn the football over. At least, that has been the trend this season. Michael Brewer has 11 interceptions and often forces things. 

If Pitt can get pressure on Brewer and force him into throwing the ball a little sooner than he'd like, the Panthers can win this game. 

Virginia Tech Players to Watch

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Joel Caleb

Michael Brewer

Brewer forces things often, which leads to mistakes and turnovers. However, he's also given the Hokies consistency at the position that they didn't get at times from former starter Logan Thomas. 

None of that matters, though, if he continues turning the ball over. The Hokies are in good position to win the Coastal Division, and their chances will rely heavily on Brewer's play. 

Joel Caleb

A former prized recruit, the redshirt sophomore has yet to make an impact for the Hokies. He started out his career as a wide receiver, but coaches apparently felt he'd be better as a running back. With all of the injuries at the position, Caleb finally has his chance to make an impact.

Whether Marshawn Williams plays or not, Caleb will see time. If he performs well, he's putting himself in a good position for future opportunities. 

Ken Ekanem

Ekanem is having a solid season. The sophomore is coming off his breakout game against North Carolina where he had six tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss.

Fellow defensive end Dadi Nicolas and Ekanem have combined for 9.5 sacks on the season for a program that is second in the nation with 26 sacks.

Can Ekanem build off his game versus North Carolina? The Hokies need a big effort from their defensive line against Conner and Pitt's rushing attack.  

Pittsburgh Players to Watch

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Tyler Boyd

Chad Voytik

The sophomore signal-caller is having a solid season. However, he's been far from perfect and has a tendency to force things when his first read is covered. With a pass rush like Virginia Tech's, Voytik must be more decisive or he'll be sacked several times and commit multiple turnovers.

James Conner

Conner is one of the top running backs in college football. He's already surpassed last season's performance through six games this season. 

Even if Virginia Tech stacks the box, Pitt must continue to stick with the running game. Conner is the team's best player, and Pitt's offense is much better the more Conner gets the ball. In the first four games, Conner ran for 153 yards or more each game; he's been held to under 100 the last two games—both losses.

Anthony Gonzalez

Pitt's senior linebacker is the heart and soul of the defense. Gonzalez leads Pitt with 36 tackles.

Virginia Tech has had a lot of success with its tight ends this year. Bucky Hodges and Ryan Malleck have combined for 27 catches, 344 yards and four touchdowns. 

Gonzalez will be partially responsible for helping contain the Hokies tight ends, especially Hodges. 

What They're Saying

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Paul Chryst

The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Hokies, specifically quarterback Michael Brewer, per Bitter:

"

It was nice to finally get 100 percent healthy. You got little tweaks, bumps and bruises, all that throughout the season and I feel good now. I feel 100 percent healthy and I know a lot of other guys on the team have been able to recharge and get to 100 percent. So yeah, the bye week came at a good time.

"

Pitt, too, was happy with its week off, but head coach Paul Chryst chose to focus more on Pitt than Virginia Tech, at least for a couple of days, per Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"Some ‘ones’ versus ‘ones,’ some offensive emphasis period, some defensive emphasis period,” Chryst said. “So you can kind of clean up some stuff that you want to kind of sharpen up a little bit more."

Prediction

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This Thursday's ACC battle is one that could truly go either way. It's a must-win for both squads because falling to 1-2 in ACC play would prove to be a tough hurdle the rest of the way.

The biggest thing to watch is James Conner and Pitt's rushing attack versus Virginia Tech's run defense. If Tech can limit Conner and make Pitt rely more on the arm of Voytik, it will be a long evening for the Panthers.

VT will contain Conner and hold him to under 100 yards for the third straight game and pull away from Pitt in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 23, Pitt 16