Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Complete Game Preview
An offseason of hype will finally come to an end on Monday when No. 1 Ohio State invades Blacksburg, Virginia, for a prime-time matchup against Virginia Tech.
The Buckeyes, fresh off their run through the first-ever College Football Playoff, are looking to avenge their only loss of their championship season—a stunning 35-21 defeat in last year's home opener. The Hokies, coming off a disappointing 7-6 campaign, are hoping to prove that last year's game wasn't a fluke.
Beyond that, the highly anticipated season opener should answer a lot of the offseason's biggest questions. Which of the elite quarterbacks will take the field first as Ohio State's starter? Will the suspensions of Joey Bosa and a trio of pivotal receivers play a huge (and potentially decisive) role? Is Virginia Tech ready to reemerge as the national contender it was a decade ago?
Date: Monday, Sept. 7
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Place: Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia
TV: ESPN
Spread: Ohio State State (-11), via Odds Shark
Ohio State Keys to Victory
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Protect the Quarterback
Ohio State wasn't ready for Virginia Tech last year.
That much became evident quickly, and it was cemented in the fourth quarter when Virginia Tech confounded Ohio State with its unique Bear front. The Hokies sacked J.T. Barrett an incredible seven times in last year's matchup, while forcing a career-low 31-percent completion percentage.
If Ohio State wants to find a better offensive rhythm this year, it'll have to do a much better job of protecting its quarterback—whoever that ends up being.
The Buckeyes should be ready for that Bear front if Bud Foster elects to use the same strategy. A number of Ohio State's opponents tried to use that front against the Buckeyes after seeing the success Virginia Tech had with it, but by that point, the coaches and the offensive line had adjusted accordingly.
Win Third Down
On both sides of the ball, Ohio State was one of the best third-down teams in the country last year. Offensively, the Buckeyes ranked third nationally in third-down conversion percentage, and defensively, they clocked in at No. 13.
That efficiency was on display during the playoff when Ohio State converted 54.5 percent of their third downs while limiting Alabama and Oregon to an incredible 16 percent conversion rate.
But that wasn't the case against Virginia Tech.
The Hokies allowed just four conversions on 16 third-down attempts while converting 9-of-17 on offense.
If the Buckeyes want to beat Virginia Tech this year, they'll have to flip the script on third down.
Virginia Tech Keys to Victory
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Recreate the Michael Brewer Magic
Bud Foster's unique defensive strategy gets much of the credit when looking back at Virginia Tech's victory over Ohio State last year, but the clutch play of quarterback Michael Brewer was just as important.
The Buckeyes harassed Brewer and set pressure all night, but the 6'1", 198-pound quarterback stood tall and made a number of key plays for the Hokies.
"Joshua Perry said today they were impressed by Brewer's toughness last year. Took a pounding and kept making plays https://t.co/YhCn7XHqtF
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) August 31, 2015"
Virginia Tech converted an impressive 53 percent of their third down attempts against the Buckeyes, and many of those were the result of Brewer's brilliance.
He'll need to be on point again for the Hokies to pull the upset this year.
Contain Michael Thomas
Ohio State is expected to field one of the most explosive offenses in the country, but it won't be at full strength when it faces Virginia Tech due to the suspensions of receivers Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson.
Add to that the departures of Devin Smith and Evan Spencer—two wideouts who were taken in the NFL draft last May—and it leaves the Buckeyes with few experienced options on the perimeter.
But none of those options is more dangerous than Michael Thomas.
The redshirt junior had a breakout campaign a season ago, registering a team-high 54 receptions for 799 yards and nine touchdowns. He'll be Ohio State's go-to guy in 2015, and that will definitely be the case in Blacksburg with so many of the Buckeyes pass-catchers out via suspension.
If the Hokies shut Thomas down, Ohio State's offense will have a much tougher time moving the ball.
Ohio State Players to Watch
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When Braxton Miller announced his move from quarterback to wide receiver in July, Urban Meyer wasn't sure if the former two-time Big Ten MVP was ready for the transition.
"We won't know enough until practice starts how we can use him and what he can do," Meyer said of Miller before fall camp started, according to Doug Lesmerises of Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I just don't know. He's a great athlete, but he's never caught a pass for us. So we'll know more and we have plenty of time when practice starts."
After an eventful fall camp, though, Meyer is comfortable with his new H-back.
"Early on, I don't want to say exceeded (expectations) because I knew there would be growing pains," Meyer said, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors. He later added, "As of the last three days, [Miller]'s I don't want to say exceeded my expectation, but he's darn near ready to go."
The Buckeyes will need Miller to play at a high level without Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Corey Smith in the fold. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him line up in the slot in addition to the backfield at both quarterback and running back. He'll be a key playmaker against the Hokies, and the Buckeyes will look to utilize his athleticism against the Hokies.
Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes
The Buckeyes have to overcome another hurdle with the loss of Joey Bosa—Ohio State's first consensus first-team All-American since 2007.
Standing in Bosa's place will be a pair of second-year players in redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard and sophomore Jalyn Holmes.
Neither pack the punch that Bosa brings to the field, but the coaching staff is confident that they're ready to make an impact against the Hokies. Still, it will be nearly impossible to replace the production of Bosa, who ranked fifth nationally in total sacks and tackles for loss a season ago.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Bucky Hodges
When Ohio State stormed back with 14 unanswered points to tie the game at 21 last year, it was Bucky Hodges who broke free in the red zone to haul in the go-ahead 10-yard touchdown.
Virginia Tech will need their talented tight end to make more plays like that on Sunday.
The 6'7", 242-pound redshirt sophomore is a matchup nightmare, boasting the frame of a traditional tight end but the speed and playmaking ability of a perimeter wideout. He led the Hokies with seven touchdown catches a season ago and ranked second on the team with 526 receiving yards, and he's once again expected to be the counter-punch to Isaiah Ford on the outside.
The Buckeyes have one of the best safety tandems in the country in Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell, but Hodges has the talent to challenge them in a big way.
Kendall Fuller
Defensive end Dadi Nicolas is one of the most disruptive pass-rushers in the country, and he's expected to anchor one of the nation's best defensive lines this season. But when the Buckeyes and the Hokies meet, the true matchup will take place on the perimeter, when Kendall Fuller matches up against star wideout Michael Thomas.
The Hokies were successful in shutting down the Buckeyes receivers last year, allowing just nine receptions from J.T. Barrett's 29 attempts. But Michael Thomas showcased his playmaking ability in the third quarter when he broke free on a quick slant pass for a 53-yard touchdown.
Fuller will likely be on an island all night against Thomas, and he'll need to be at his best to contain Ohio State's best and most consistent receiver.
What They're Saying
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Virginia Tech Defensive coordinator Bud Foster is impressed with Ohio State's quarterbacks and is preparing to see a variety of Buckeyes lining up behind center, according to Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times.
"You can talk about Cardale Jones being a better thrower, but J.T. Barrett, he threw it every bit as well. Can throw a long ball. Has a live arm. Probably a little bit more athletic, but as you guys saw in the bowl games and the championship game, the Jones kid has a lot of ability as well. He’s a big, athletic kid. I think he’d as soon run over you sometimes as around you.
Our plan does not change. They run their offense. That’s what they do. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Braxton Miller in there as a Wildcat, but he has the ability to throw it too. We’re anticipating some of that too.
"
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer didn't announce the Buckeyes starting quarterback, but he talked about what Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett bring to the field, according to Bill Landis of Northeast Ohio Media Group.
"If it was different skill sets probably, but they're not. If you look at J.T.'s game plan when he was our quarterback and Cardale, it's very similar. There is a chance they'll both play as well, so that hasn't really -- in our mindset we're game planning our offense and they're both executing very well.
"
Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer knows the challenge his team is in for when Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott takes the field, according to Joey Coogan of The Key Play.
"[Elliot's] very, very good. Big, tough, good. Coming down the stretch, he was really instrumental for those guys during that championship run... And you expect him to carry it right over. We got to tackle that old boy, that's the only thing I know. Swarm him and tackle him.
"
Prediction
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Ohio State will get its revenge, but it won't be easy.
The Buckeyes will struggle against Virginia Tech's defense and the hostile Lane Stadium environment early, allowing the Hokies to build a 10-3 lead through one quarter of play.
That's when Meyer and Ohio State turn to the run game, relying on Ezekiel Elliott and Braxton Miller from the slot to set the tone. The Buckeyes will rip off 21 straight points and take a 24-10 lead into halftime.
It'll be more of the same for Ohio State in the second. J.T. Barrett, who will win the starting job, will have an efficient second half, but the highlight will be a perfectly placed pass to Michael Thomas for a 50-yard touchdown. The Hokies will mount a small rally at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes will effectively play keep-away with the run game to close out an 18-point victory.
Ohio State 38, Virginia Tech 20
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
