Virginia vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview

For the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Virginia Cavaliers, the 2014 college football season comes down to one game. The Hokies and Cavaliers have more on the line in this year's contest than they've had in years.

No, a spot in the ACC Championship Game is not up for grabs. Instead, both schools, currently at 5-6 on the season, need one more victory to become bowl-eligible. For embattled Virginia head coach Mike London, it could mean saving his job. 

The Hokies are looking to extend their bowl streak to 22 years with a win over the Hoos.

In past years, the winner of this game was almost a foregone conclusion, with Tech winning the past 10 meetings and 14 of the last 15 overall. However, Tech's punchless offense combined with UVA's strong defense make this year's meeting different.

The Cavaliers are coming off one of the most impressive wins of the London era with last week's dismantling of Miami in Charlottesville. Meanwhile, Tech will try to bounce back from one of the more embarrassing performances of Frank Beamer's 28 years in charge. The Hokies lost to Wake Forest in double overtime in a game that was scoreless at the end of regulation.

• When: Friday, November 28, 2014
• Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
• Spread: The Cavaliers are currently one-point favorites, via Odds Shark.

Virginia Keys to Victory

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Virginia running back Kevin Parks

Force Turnovers

To say Virginia Tech struggles on offense would be an understatement. The Hokies rank No. 100 in total offense and also have issues with turnovers. The Cavaliers have an underrated defense that excels at forcing turnovers. 

On paper, this is a dream matchup for UVA. Virginia must give VT quarterback Michael Brewer multiple looks and pressure him early and often. Brewer will force things, and that usually works out well for the defense. 

Stay Aggressive on Offense

Virginia is a lot like Virginia Tech in 2014. Both teams are strong on defense yet struggle on offense. For the Cavaliers to beat the Hokies on Friday, they need to attack downfield. 

Quarterback Greyson Lambert has also had issues with turnovers. UVA must get running backs Kevin Parks and Taquan "Smoke" Mizzell involved in the passing game early. It should help open up things in the passing game for receiver Darius Jennings, one of the best big-play threats in the ACC. 

Virginia Tech Keys to Victory

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Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges

Play Brenden Motley More

The sophomore quarterback took several snaps for the Hokies in last week's loss at Wake Forest and played well. The offense actually moved the ball. Now, Motley is extremely raw as a passer and may not ready to be a full-time quarterback, but he could be the shot in the arm that the Hokies need on offense. 

Brewer may start under center for the Hokies on Friday, but Motley needs to see more time. It adds a different element to an offense sorely in need of firepower.

Whoever is under center for Tech must get tight end Bucky Hodges the football. 

Attack Greyson Lambert

UVA's offense is very similar to Virginia Tech's. No, not schematically, but the results. UVA averages under four yards per carry and struggles to make big plays. 

You can count on longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster to be aggressive. The Hokies, and defensive end Dadi Nicolas, must get pressure on Lambert early. He often plays it safe, but he's prone to turnovers. With the offense scuffling the way it is, the defense needs to create scoring opportunities for the Hokies to win this game. 

Virginia Players to Watch

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Virginia safety Quin Blanding

Taquan Mizzell

Mizzell, whose nickname is Smoke for his game-breaking speed, needs to make more big plays for the Hoos. It's possible; just go back and watch Duke Johnson against Tech's defense. Now, that's not saying Mizzell is Johnson—he isn't—but he possesses the same type of ability.

Virginia coaches need to find creative ways to get Mizzell involved in the offense. Whether it's with jet sweeps or in the screen game, UVA should get Mizzell several touches. He's second on the team in receptions but averages just 5.6 yards per reception.

Quin Blanding

Blanding came to Charlottesville as one of the top freshmen in all of college football. He has not disappointed. With an NFL frame (6'4", 215 lbs), Blanding is tremendous in the box but still possesses outstanding instincts in coverage. As the season has progressed, Blanding has gotten even better. 

The Hokies offense hasn't faced a pair of safeties quite like the ones from Virginia. Blanding and Anthony Harris—who led the nation in interceptions in 2013—are an outstanding pair of safeties who complement one another well and are adept at forcing turnovers. 

Blanding will be hard to miss, as he is everywhere. 

Virginia Tech Players to Watch

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

J.C. Coleman

J.C. Coleman

If you're a Virginia Tech fan, you have to love and admire J.C. Coleman. The junior running back entered the season atop the depth chart but struggled. He fell behind freshmen Shai McKenzie and Marshawn Williams, and once Trey Edmunds returned, Coleman fell to fourth on the depth chart.

With all three runners injured at some point, the Hokies needed Coleman against Duke. He came through with 95 yards on the ground. And against Wake Forest, Coleman was Tech's only bright spot on offense, finishing with 98 yards rushing. 

The Hokies must continue to keep Coleman involved.

Brenden Motley

Motley will almost certainly see more time this week than he did against Wake Forest. The Hokies and head coach Frank Beamer are desperate. Motley's ability to run the Wildcat gave Tech's offense a dimension it hadn't had all season.

Motley would also be ideal with some zone-read plays. The threat of his legs can open things up in the passing game. Motley isn't ready to sit back in the pocket and throw 30 times. However, he could be a tremendous weapon if employed right. 

What They're Saying

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Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and Virginia head coach Mike London

Frank Beamer told the press on Monday that Brewer will remain the starting quarterback but Motley would gets more reps in practice, per Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times: 

"We plan to give him more work this week, see what happens, kind of put our game plan together later on in the week,” Beamer said. “But I do think he deserves some more reps in practice and we'll see where that goes.”

Virginia senior linebacker Henry Coley tried to downplay the importance of this game and the fact that the Cavaliers could end Virginia Tech's season, per Andrew Ramspacher of The Daily Progress:

"

It’s just another game to me, honestly. You don’t want to be overly excited. You don’t want to be under-excited about a game. A game is a game. The same preparation is going into this week as every other week. We’re just ready to get after it.

"

Prediction

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You can throw out past records this weekend when Virginia travels down to Blacksburg. This isn't the same Virginia Tech team.

Expect to see an ugly game, probably with a few offensive gaffes on each side and outstanding defense. Both teams are strong defensively, with Tech ranking No. 22 and UVA No. 26 in total defense. 

It would be tough to pick Virginia Tech to beat anyone after watching them play against Wake Forest last week. And while the Cavaliers played terrific in their win over Miami, when was the last time you trusted UVA football to pull off strong back-to-back performances?

Home-field advantage is anything but for the Hokies this season. They've lost four times at home in 2014. 

Expect this game to come down to the final minutes, or even seconds, with UVA finally taking possession of the Commonwealth Cup. 

Prediction: Virginia 16, Virginia Tech 13