Boston College vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview
As the calendar turns to November, the Virginia Tech Hokies find themselves in an unfamiliar position: battling to be bowl-eligible.
With two straight losses in prime time on Thursday nights, Tech gets back to work on Saturday as the Boston College Eagles come to town.
The Hokies (4-4, 1-3 against conference opponents) are essentially eliminated from Coastal Division contention, while the Eagles (5-3, 2-2 against conference opponents) are still alive in the Atlantic, even though defending national champion Florida State will be almost impossible to unseat.
BC won last year's game at Chestnut Hill, but the Hokies won the previous five meetings. VT leads the all-time series 15-7.
- When: Saturday, November 1, 2014
- Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ACC Network
- Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
- Spread: The Hokies are currently three-point favorites, via Odds Shark.
Boston College Keys to Victory
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Run the Football
Boston College enters Saturday's game averaging 277 yards rushing per game. That ranks 10th nationally. Virginia Tech is coming off one of the worst performances in the Bud Foster era, giving up 364 yards rushing to Miami.
BC will run the ball and should have success. Quarterback Tyler Murphy is having a terrific season running the football. He leads the team with 843 rushing yards. Virginia Tech has given up 100 yards rushing or more to opposing quarterbacks in four of its previous 11 games. The Hokies lost all four times.
Pressure the Quarterback
Whether it's Michael Brewer or Mark Leal under center for the Hokies, BC must apply plenty of pressure to VT's starting quarterback. Brewer has issues turning the ball over, while Leal has rarely played.
The Hokies have been unable to run the ball in recent weeks. Boston College must try and force the Hokies to be one-dimensional. If the Hokies throw the ball 30 or more times in Saturday's game, that's good news for the Eagles.
Virginia Tech Keys to Victory
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Get Bucky Hodges Involved
BC is dominant versus the run, holding opponents to just 91 yards rushing per game, No. 6 in the country. The Hokies, meanwhile, are No. 82 in rushing. They've been unable to get a consistent running game going for weeks now.
Since VT will likely struggle to run the ball, it should get tight end Bucky Hodges involved early and often. Hodges, the former quarterback, is capable of making big plays down the field or moving the sticks on third down.
Regardless of which quarterback plays, offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler must get Hodges the football.
Contain Tyler Murphy
Virginia Tech has struggled to contain athletic quarterbacks for a couple of years now. It's not because the Hokies aren't athletic on defense, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster often oversells on stopping the run, and athletic quarterbacks hit the open gaps and roam free to the secondary for big gains.
That can't happen Saturday.
Murphy is one of the top rushing quarterbacks in the nation and will test Tech's linebackers throughout the game.
Boston College Players to Watch
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Tyler Murphy
Murphy will make or break this game for the Eagles, and likely the Hokies, too. If he runs the ball—and runs it well—Boston College will be in a good position to win.
However, if Murphy is forced to throw the ball 25 or more times, that's good news for Tech. Murphy is completing just 55 percent of his passes on the season with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Jon Hillman
Hillman, BC's second-leading rusher, is a player to watch this weekend. If the Hokies contain Murphy, expect Hillman to see plenty of carries. Hillman is averaging 71 yards rushing per game on the season with nine touchdowns.
Sophomore Myles Willis is more of a change-of-pace back for the Eagles and will see action, too. He's third on the team in rushing.
Josh Keyes
Keyes is quietly having a terrific season for the Eagles. He leads BC in sacks and tackles for loss and is third on the team in tackles. He is one of the more active defensive players in the ACC and will be tested in coverage if the Hokies involve their tight ends.
Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Mark Leal
Michael Brewer has regressed in recent weeks even though the turnovers have decreased, but it appears he'll be under center again this week.
However, if Brewer struggles, don't be surprised if the Hokies turn to fifth-year senior Mark Leal. According to head coach Frank Beamer, per Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times, Leal will get more reps with the first-team offense this week.
It's time for Leal to get a chance. Coaches apparently don't have a lot of faith in Leal or they would've given him the starting job in the spring. He deserves an opportunity, and this weekend could provide that opportunity if Brewer struggles early.
Marshawn Williams
The freshman returned to the lineup last week and had a solid game. Williams ran the ball 21 times and gained 100 yards. However, his fumble at the goal line to begin the second half was a momentum-killer for the Hokies.
It's important for Williams to bounce back strong from last week's disappointment and have a good game. Boston College is much tougher against the run than Miami.
Andrew Motuapuaka
The redshirt freshman started his first career game last week against Miami and it showed. Motuapuaka often overpursued and took himself out of plays. To be fair to Motuapuaka, he was very active and many linebackers will struggle against Duke Johnson.
It remains to be seen if senior starter Chase Williams returns this weekend. If he doesn't, Motuapuaka gets another tough test against Boston College's rushing attack.
What They're Saying
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Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said on Monday, per Bitter, that the Hokies plan to stick with Brewer under center:
"Michael Brewer without question is our quarterback, and he’s done a good job. We’ve put him in some tough situations at times. I think we’ve got to help him in how we do things a little bit. But I’ve got every confidence in Michael Brewer. He knows how to play quarterback. I’ve said that before, but I really mean that.
"
Prediction
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The way Virginia Tech is playing right now, it's tough to predict it to beat anyone. And Boston College does two things well that the Hokies struggle with: running the ball and stopping the run.
This game will definitely come down to the wire, and Tech will be a motivated bunch this Saturday. If the Hokies can force Murphy to throw the ball a lot, they'll win this game. If not, BC will repeat Miami's success from a week ago.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 19, Boston College 16
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