Virginia Tech Football: 2015 Game-by-Game Schedule Predictions
Now that fall camp is in full swing and every roster is beginning to take shape, it's the perfect time to start looking at opponents on a game-by-game basis for the upcoming college football season. For the Virginia Tech Hokies—who open the season on September 7 against defending national champion Ohio State—it's a fairly favorable schedule.
Of course, predicting a full schedule before the first game is played is next to impossible. But we're going to give it our best shot.
Can the Hokies pull off a major upset two years in a row? Or will they struggle and lose to a lesser opponent—like Wake Forest—yet again?
Could this be the year Virginia finally gets the best of VT? OK, well, we're not sure about that one.
Here is a look at Virginia Tech's 2015 schedule, game-by-game, with predictions for each contest.
September 7: Ohio State
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The Hokies stunned the nation last fall with an upset win over the Buckeyes in early September. The good news is most of last year's team is back for Tech, and all of the younger players are one year older.
The bad news is most of Ohio State's championship squad is back, too. All three star quarterbacks are back, even though Braxton Miller will now play some wide receiver. J.T. Barrett started last year against the Hokies and had success, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster's pressure packages eventually got to him.
Whether it is Barrett or Cardale Jones—who led the Buckeyes to the national championship with strong performances in the College Football Playoff—VT will have its hands full.
The Hokies caught a break when All-American defensive end Joey Bosa—and three others—were suspended for the season opener. Can they take advantage?
This Buckeye roster is one of the more talented in recent memory, and most expect them to destroy Virginia Tech next month. Well, the Hokies will be ready. However, in the end Ohio State will prove too strong for Tech to pull off the upset again.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Virginia Tech 17
September 12: Furman
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The Hokies stay home at Lane Stadium for Week 2 when Furman comes to town, just five days after the their showdown with OSU. The Paladins were 3-9 last season, one year after reaching the second round of the FCS playoffs.
Running back Shai McKenzie will return from his one-game suspension for this game and figures to be in the mix for tailback.
Expect the Hokies to go up big early and play some younger players late.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 48, Furman 7
September 19: At Purdue
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This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Boilermakers have won a combined four games over the last two years and won't remind anyone of the Purdue teams from the Joe Tiller era.
Darrell Hazell enters his third season as head coach of Purdue and is still looking for his first signature victory. His team does return 15 starters but lacks experience at the quarterback position.
This game will be a tough one for VT, as the Boilermakers will hang with the Hokies until midway through the fourth quarter. Tech's offensive line will wear down Purdue's front, and that will prove to be the difference in the game.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Purdue 13
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
September 26: At East Carolina
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Speaking of upsets, the East Carolina Pirates took down the Hokies last September, right after Tech's win over OSU.
That won't happen in 2015.
It isn't because the Pirates aren't talented. They are. However, they're replacing record-setting quarterback Shane Carden and All-American receiver Justin Hardy. In addition to those losses, ECU also saw bright, young offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley depart for Oklahoma.
The Pirates will hang tough early, but Tech will turn up the pressure on new starting quarterback Kurt Benkert and force some turnovers that will prove to be the difference.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, East Carolina 13
October 3: Pittsburgh
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The Panthers are probably the biggest thorn in Virginia Tech's side over the past decade. Pitt has won five of the past six meetings between the two schools, including a physical 21-16 win last year in the Steel City.
Fortunately for the Hokies, this one is in Lane Stadium.
Will that make a difference? Tech still has to stop ACC Player of the Year James Conner and wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
After facing Ezekiel Elliot in the opener, Foster will have his group ready for Conner, and you can count on Kendall Fuller marginalizing Boyd.
New head coach Pat Narduzzi will instantly make Pitt's defense better, and the Panthers are coming off a bye before this matchup.
Expect this one to come down to the wire.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Pittsburgh 17
October 9 (Friday): N.C. State
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Since Virginia Tech entered the ACC back in 2004, the Hokies have only played the Wolfpack on four occasions. The Hokies have won three of the four meetings, winning the last contest back in 2010 when Russell Wilson was under center for the 'Pack.
The Wolfpack have high hopes in 2015 under third-year coach Dave Doeren and quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, a Florida transfer, is a contender for ACC Player of the Year in 2015.
N.C. State will give Tech a run for its money, but the Hokies' defense will ultimately win this one for them late by forcing a key fourth-quarter turnover.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, N.C. State 24
October 17: At Miami
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Tech's biggest rival over the last 20 years, Miami won last season's meeting in dominating fashion. The Hokies had no answer for Miami's running game, and the offense was out of sync from the start.
You can count on Foster's defense tightening up versus the run, and the offense should be in much better shape this time around.
Will that help the Hokies in this one?
The 'Canes have some talented playmakers on offense, led by sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya. However, Duke Johnson is now in the NFL. Johnson was a Hokie killer in his career, and as good as Joseph Yearby could be, it won't be quite enough to help Miami take down the Tech this season.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Miami 28
October 24: Duke
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Duke has become one of the top teams in the Coastal Division over the last three seasons. David Cutcliffe has done a wonderful job of turning Duke's football program around and is one of the most underrated coaches in America.
The Hokies dominated this series until Duke pulled off an upset in Lane Stadium two years ago. Last year, Tech exacted some revenge with an overtime win in Durham.
The Blue Devils lost several talented players from last year's team. While they've recruited much better in recent seasons, it won't be enough for them to get back on top of the Coastal Division in 2015.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Duke 17
October 31: At Boston College
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The Boston College Eagles have struggled in recent seasons since Matt Ryan's departure to the NFL back in 2008. However, BC is always tough on the Hokies.
The Eagles have defeated the Hokies in each of the last two seasons.
Traveling to Chestnut Hill hasn't been kind to Tech, and the Hokies must go there again in 2015. Can they avoid the upset and keep their perfect ACC record intact?
Tyler Murphy, who single-handedly destroyed the Hokies last fall, is gone. That alone makes Foster's life a bit easier.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Boston College 20
November 12 (Thursday): At Georgia Tech
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Since the inception of the ACC championship game back in 2005, Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech have represented the Coastal Division in all but one season. That should be the case again in 2015.
Over the years, VT's defense has done a reasonably good job defending Paul Johnson's triple-option offense. Last season, Georgia Tech had a new quarterback in Justin Thomas, and the offense was outstanding. Thomas would become an All-ACC quarterback and is poised for even bigger things in 2015.
Thomas will have a big season and will challenge for ACC Player of the Year.
This one will come down to the wire with both teams knowing the winner will likely represent the Coastal in the ACC title game. Unfortunately for the Hokies, they will lose their first conference game of the 2015 season.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 27, Virginia Tech 23
November 21: North Carolina
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Every year, it's the same story when it pertains to North Carolina football. This is the year of the Tar Heels. However, UNC underachieves and falls to the middle of the pack in the ACC.
In 2015, expectations surrounding the Heels are a bit more measured. Quarterback Marquise Williams and receiver Ryan Switzer return to lead head coach Larry Fedora's spread offense. Williams should have a big season, as he is as dangerous with his feet as he is with his arm. And Switzer is arguably the top receiver in the ACC.
UNC is a serious challenger for the Coastal Division, and this game could help determine who represents the ACC's less-heralded division.
Expect plenty of scoring in this one, but the Hokies being at home gives them the edge.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 35, North Carolina 30
November 28: At Virginia
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The battle for the Commonwealth Cup hasn't been much of a battle over the last 16 years. The Hokies have taken 11 in a row from in-state rival Virginia and 15 of the past 16 meetings.
Can it change in 2015?
It's tough to imagine it changing, as the Cavaliers had prime opportunities to defeat the Hokies in each of the last two years and failed to do so. And Tech returns several key starters on both sides of the ball, while UVA doesn't even know who its quarterback will be.
Virginia Tech closes a strong 2015 regular season with a win over Virginia to finish 10-2—7-1 in ACC play—and will head back to the ACC championship game for the first time since 2011.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Virginia 14
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
