Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview

The 2015 college football season is finally here. In a much-anticipated rematch from 2014, the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes head to Blacksburg, Virginia, to face the Virginia Tech Hokies on Monday. In one of the bigger upsets from last season, Tech defeated the Buckeyes 35-21 in Columbus.

Can the Hokies pull it off yet again?

Ohio State will surely be ready.

But, regardless of what most think, it won't be easy. Ohio State heads into the season opener minus several key contributors. Most notably, All-American defensive end Joey Bosa—along with Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson—were suspended for the first week of the season for a violation of athletic department policies. 

Another blow hit the champs last week when sophomore wide receiver Noah Brown was lost for the season with a broken leg, per Sam Cooper of Yahoo Sports. 

The Hokies have been a bit more fortunate on the injury end. None of Tech's presumed starters—or key contributors—are expected to miss the season opener.

• When: Monday, September 7
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
• Spread: The Buckeyes are presently 12-point favorites, via Odds Shark.

Ohio State Keys to Victory

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Running back Ezekiel Elliott

Keep Ezekiel Elliott Involved

Junior Ezekiel Elliott was a big reason why Ohio State won the national championship last season. The 6'1", 225-pound Elliott ran for just 32 yards last season against the Hokies, but didn't run for fewer than 65 yards in a game the rest of the season and finished with 1,878 rushing yards. 

Virginia Tech's defense is generally always stingy against the run. Expect that to be a point of emphasis this season too. However, the Buckeyes cannot get discouraged and must keep feeding Elliott the ball. If OSU becomes one-dimensional, that could allow the Hokies to stick around. 

Keep the Pressure on Michael Brewer

Tech's senior quarterback played well against the Buckeyes last season. He did, however, lead Tech to a win over the Buckeyes despite two turnovers. 

Turnovers and sacks plagued Brewer throughout the season. He finished the year with 15 interceptions. If the Buckeyes can apply pressure early, he is prone to making mistakes. Ohio State could take the crowd out of the game with a big turnover—or two—early. 

Virginia Tech Keys to Victory

Associated Press

Dadi Nicolas takes down J.T. Barrett.

Keep the Pressure on OSU's Quarterbacks

A big reason the Hokies beat the Buckeyes in 2014 was because of the pressure they applied to J.T. Barrett. Tech sacked Barrett seven times and forced him into numerous mistakes. Barrett—or Cardale Jones—will do a much better job of anticipating pressure this time around. 

That doesn't matter. 

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster must continue to throw everything at the champs, including the kitchen sink. Having a healthy Brandon Facyson to team with All-American Kendall Fuller should make things a bit better on the back end too.

Stay Unpredictable on Offense

Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler called a good game last season. He mixed things up well, stayed with the running game and used the jet sweep on a variety of occasions. His play-calling was a big reason why Tech defeated OSU.

He must do an even better job this time around.

The Buckeyes will be tough to run against, but Loeffler has to stick with it. He should use J.C. Coleman, Trey Edmunds and Travon McMillian. Mix it up. Involve the running backs in the passing game. Use multiple tight-end sets. 

If Loeffler can do all of those things, the Hokies have a chance. 

Ohio State Players to Watch

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Cardale Jones

Quarterbacks

Regardless of which quarterback starts under center for the Buckeyes—Jones or Barrett—he will have a major impact on this game. Both players are excellent runners, although Barrett is faster and more elusive. Jones has a bigger arm, and both are pretty accurate. 

Expect both quarterbacks to see action and have an impact on this game. 

The great thing about both of these players is head coach Urban Meyer doesn't have to change his game plan for either. 

Taylor Decker

Senior left tackle Taylor Decker will have his hands full with Tech's defensive ends. Whether it's Ken Ekanem or Dadi Nicolas, the Hokies can get after the passer. If Ohio State's quarterbacks are sacked seven times again, the Hokies will be in this one to the end. 

Decker is a mauler in the run game. He's had some trouble with speedy pass-rushers, which is what the Hokies have. Nicolas and Ekanem just don't rely on speed, though. They're quite powerful in their own right. Decker must rise to the challenge. 

Virginia Tech Players to Watch

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Bucky Hodges

Bucky Hodges

Hodges, a 6'7", 242-pound tight end/wide receiver, is a mismatch nightmare for any defense. He's too big for defensive backs to cover and too fast for linebackers. Oh, and he also runs like a wide receiver.

Loeffler must put Hodges in situations to get the football often. Whether it is deep down the field, in the red zone or on bubble screens, Hodges needs at least eight touches. He can change the game in the blink of an eye. He also opens things up for his teammates as the defense will have to double-team him, especially in the red zone. 

Andrew Motuapuaka

Yes, the Hokies need to get after the passer and cover well. Fortunately, though, those are things Virginia Tech is good at. What the Hokies need from their sophomore middle linebacker is for him to be disciplined and make solid tackles.

In his four games of extended playing time last fall, Motuapuaka played well. He did, however, struggle with gap discipline. Most of that could be attributed to him being a young player getting his first taste of college football. 

He must trust his eyes against the Buckeyes. If Meyer can target a weakness in Tech's defense, he will do so and attack it repeatedly. Motuapuaka better be ready, as the eyes of the nation will be on him.

What They're Saying

Many assume Meyer has delayed his quarterback decision to keep Virginia Tech guessing a bit. Meyer, though, said that isn't the case as both players are very similar and he truly hasn't made up his mind yet, according to Ari Wasserman of Northeast Ohio Media Group:

"

I don't think it is. I think they're very similar. I've heard people say, 'Oh, he's a much better down-field thrower.' If you're talking about Cardale, he's a very good down-field thrower, but I don't know. I imagined if one of them were way ahead I probably would announce it. But they're not, and it's more for our team than who we're playing.

"

Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer always tells reporters and fans how good the upcoming opponent is, even if it's Furman—Tech's Week 2 opponent.

But Beamer met with the press on Monday, and he wasn't exaggerating in his praise of No. 1 Ohio State, per Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times:

"

I don’t know that there’s ever been a No. 1 team in the country that is as far No. 1 as this crowd is. They’ve got unanimous No. 1 votes the other day. Real challenge to the program. Real challenge to what we’re all about here at Virginia Tech. I think our players look forward to a challenge. But what an undertaking this is. To play No. 1, but a unanimous No. 1, that’s pretty significant.

"

Prediction

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback J.T. Barrett #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Ohio Stadium on September 6, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Can the Hokies defeat the Buckeyes two years in a row?

Well, this Ohio State team is one of the more talented in recent memory. OSU is missing some talented players for this one, and that could help the Hokies. 

But the Buckeyes have loads of talent ready to step in and make their presence felt. Braxton Miller is poised to make an impact at receiver, which should help cushion the blow of losing Brown. 

Playing in Lane Stadium will be tough. It's one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. But the Buckeyes are used to playing in front of large, hostile crowds. Blacksburg will be just another one of those crowds.

While the Hokies will keep it close, turnovers will plague them in the end, and Ohio State's running game will be too much to overcome.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Virginia Tech 17

Bryan Manning is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and he covers college football and basketball. You can follow him on Twitter @bdmanning4