Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest: Complete Game Preview
The Virginia Tech Hokies snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a win over then-No. 19 Duke. It wasn't the prettiest of performances for the Hokies, but it was a much-needed win for a team that is fighting to become bowl-eligible.
This Saturday, the Hokies head down the road to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to face a Wake Forest team that is 2-8 on the season, including an 0-6 mark in ACC play.
After last week's 42-13 loss at NC State, the Demon Deacons have now lost six in a row—all in conference play.
Tech leads the all-time series 24-11-1 and has won all four meetings since entering the ACC back in 2004. The teams last played in 2011, when the Hokies won 38-17.
- When: November 22, 2014
- Where: BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- 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 15-point favorites, via Odds Shark.
Virginia Tech Keys to Victory
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Keep Feeding Bucky Hodges
Last week, I wrote that the Hokies needed to feed freshman tight end Bucky Hodges in order to defeat Duke. Virginia Tech did that, as Hodges caught six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
While Wake Forest isn't Duke, the Hokies should employ a similar strategy versus the Demon Deacons. Hodges is the Hokies' best weapon on offense, and with the injury to Marshawn Williams, Tech is running short on offensive playmakers.
Pressure John Wolford
The freshman passer has struggled this season, throwing only nine touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Wolford is completing 58 percent of his passes, but is averaging just over five yards per attempt on the season.
A big reason for VT's win over Duke was the pressure the Hokies put on Anthony Boone. Dadi Nicolas finished with a career-high eight tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and five quarterback hurries.
That performance resulted in Nicolas being named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, per the official ACC website.
The Hokies need another performance like that from Nicolas and the defensive line to make things easier for a struggling offense.
Wake Forest Keys to Victory
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Offensive Balance
To put it mildly, Wake Forest has struggled on offense this season. The Deacons are No. 112 in passing yards and dead last in rushing yards. Wake's top rusher, freshman Dezmond Wortham, has just 193 rushing yards on the season with an average of 2.9 yards per carry.
To beat the Hokies, the Deacs will need to get something going in the running game to at least open things up a bit in the passing game.
Wolford generally doesn't try to force things down the field, but he will need to take a shot or two against Tech's defense on Saturday. VT's defense has proven vulnerable to big plays this season.
Turnovers
When you struggle as badly as Wake Forest does on offense, you need the defense to help balance things out. Wake has forced just 15 turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times on the season. However, the Demon Deacons are No. 45 in total defense. They just need to force more turnovers.
Against Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer, Wake Forest just might get that chance.
Brewer has thrown 12 interceptions on the season and Tech has given up 24 sacks. Creating turnovers is Wake Forest's best chance at earning its first ACC victory.
Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Running Back J.C. Coleman
The junior running back was Tech's starter to open the season. However, Coleman struggled early in the season and was relegated to backup status until coming through with a big performance in the win over Duke after Williams went down.
Coleman ran for 95 yards on 20 carries. He was a big reason the Hokies won the game.
Looking back, it's clear to see a big part of Coleman's struggles had to do with offensive line play and suspect play-calling.
Sure, Coleman didn't always hit the right hole and danced too much in the backfield, but everything wasn't his fault. He wasn't always put into the right position to maximize his strengths.
For better or worse, Coleman will receive the bulk of carries against Wake Forest if Trey Edmunds isn't ready to return. According to Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Edmunds is hoping to return either against Wake Forest or the following week.
It's the opportunity Coleman has been waiting for. It's up to him to prove to the coaching staff that he was unfairly benched earlier in the season.
Defensive End Dadi Nicolas
Quietly, the junior defensive end is having a good season. Nicolas was at his best against Duke, and this week's game at Wake Forest should provide plenty more chances for Nicolas to get to the quarterback.
Wake Forest has allowed 37 sacks on the season, while Tech has 35 sacks on the season—good for fifth in college football.
If Nicolas wreaks havoc in Wake's backfield, it could be a long day for the Demon Deacons on offense. The more Tech gets to the quarterback, the more turnovers the Hokies will create.
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Wake Forest Players to Watch
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Quarterback John Wolford
The freshman quarterback has had his share of ups and downs this season. He struggled in last week's loss at NC State, but not with turnovers. Wolford often checked down to safe, shorter routes instead of challenging the Wolfpack down the field.
To beat the Hokies, Wake Forest is going to need a few big plays out of its passing game. The Demon Deacons cannot run the ball, and that likely won't change Saturday.
Even with Wake Forest's struggles to run, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will make stopping the run his No. 1 priority.
Wake Forest should still try to run the ball to help alleviate some of the pressure Wolford will be seeing. How Wolford deals with that pressure will likely determine if Wake Forest wins or loses the game.
Safety Ryan Janvion
The sophomore safety is arguably Wake Forest's top defensive player. A big hitter, Janvion is solid in coverage, too.
He leads the team in tackles, has seven tackles for loss and six passes defended, per the school's official website.
Janvion could create matchup problems for Virginia Tech if employed right. Defensive coordinator Mike Elko is doing a very good job with the young defense in his first season. Against Virginia Tech and struggling quarterback Michael Brewer, Elko needs to be creative with his blitzing—particularly with Janvion.
Janvion is capable of making big plays in the both the running game and passing game. The Deacs need a strong effort from him on Saturday.
What They're Saying
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You can always count on Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer to make the next opponent seem like a defending national champion.
In Beamer's Monday meeting with the press, the head coach said he likes what he sees from Wake Forest:
"I think Wake Forest is a very dangerous football team. You look at them, they lost to Louisville, it was a 20-10 game. They lost to BC, 23-17. Clemson game was a seven-point game with seven minutes to play before they got it to two scores. You know they are capable, and they are dangerous.
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Prediction
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Over the last few years, a lot of things have happened in the Virginia Tech football program that you wouldn't have expected previously. The Hokies losing to Maryland, Duke, East Carolina and Boston College at home are just some the results that left Tech fans delirious.
Despite all that has gone wrong in Blacksburg over the last few seasons, losing to Wake Forest just doesn't appear likely.
This appears to be a perfect matchup for Tech's defense. Wake Forest struggles to do anything well offensively and Tech can rush the passer and force turnovers. Wake Forest does play solid defense, which will keep it in the game early on against the suspect offense of Virginia Tech.
However, in the end, the Hokies will be too strong for the Demon Deacons.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Wake Forest 13
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