Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech: Ticket Info, Date, TV Schedule and Live Stream
Sometimes a rematch is the best way to help kick off a season, a notion the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes will subscribe to Monday at Lane Stadium in a season-opening showdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies.
It doesn't take an excellent memory to recall what happened last year. The Hokies, led by legendary coach Frank Beamer, traveled to Ohio Stadium and escaped with a 35-21 victory.
Of course, Ohio State and coach Urban Meyer rebounded and eventually won the inaugural College Football Playoff, but the sting remains and the shot at revenge in a hostile environment surely drives the Buckeyes.
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It's a battle of wills sure to set the tone for each team. Here's a look at the game's most important info.
Overcoming History and Absences
The taste of a home loss to the Hokies doesn't just go away with the dawn of a new season, CFP triumph to massage the bruise or not.
In the loss, Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett threw three interceptions and didn't have much in the way of help from his backs, leading the team in rushing with 70 yards and a score while the team averaged 2.7 yards per carry.
Meyer spoke about the lingering effects of the loss, per ESPN.com:
"There is a little nudge around here because they beat us, and really the way they beat us. Offensively right now there is a lot of distaste for the way that thing happened, and that's not taking away from their personnel, because I think they have excellent personnel, especially on defense."
The offense has serious question marks heading into Monday's contest, too. As the above link mentions, quarterback Cardale Jones was rushed to the emergency room with a headache this week, which may throw a wrench in plans if Meyer had wanted to use two quarterbacks to fluster the Hokies defense.
Also missing? Suspended wide receivers Corey Smith and Jalin Marshall, as well as versatile weapon Dontre Wilson. Noah Brown broke his leg last week and will miss the season.
In other words, the Buckeyes will be down several key pieces on offense and must lean heavily on Ezekiel Elliott. Granted, he's the miracle man who ran for 1,878 yards and 18 scores last year despite not seeing more than 12 carries in each of his first three games.
Still, if the Buckeyes fall into a somewhat one-dimensional attack due to losses, this one could be closer than Meyer would prefer.
Keeping the Pace
It's no secret a Beamer-led defense will perform.
Perhaps more interesting is the plight of the offense, which might have to score more points than normal with the Buckeyes in town.
Michael Brewer is back under center after directing the Hokies to a 7-6 campaign last year with 2,692 yards and 18 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. This time, though, he gets more experience around him, led by a deeper offensive line and seasoned weapons.
"I don't worry about Michael. I worry about the people around Michael," Beamer said, per ESPN.com. "And if those people uphold their end of the deal, Michael will be just fine. He knows what he's doing."
Isaiah Ford would be the name to watch. As a freshman, Ford didn't get to make much of an impact, but he proved later in the season he's a No. 1 wideout due to his 56 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns.
Against a Joey Bosa-less defense (yet another notable loss for the Buckeyes), Brewer should have more time than last year to do his damage, as well as more talent to work with.
Viewing Info
When: Monday, September 7, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Lane Stadium/Worsham Field, Blacksburg, Virginia
Television: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 52.5
- Spread: Ohio State (-14)
Team Injury Reports
| Cardale Jones | QB | Prob Mon |
| Noah Brown | WR | out for season |
| Mike Weber | RB | Late Sept |
| Joey Bosa | DL | Elig Sept 12 |
| Jalin Marshall | HB | Elig Sept 12 |
| Corey Smith | WR | Elig Sept 12 |
| Dontre Wilson | RB | Elig Sept 12 |
| Shai McKenzie | RB | Elig Sept 12 |
Injury reports via USA Today.
Prediction
The wrecking ball or the wall?
No easy answer, but one has to think Las Vegas has the right idea. An Elliott-led offense can grind out a win in hostile territory Monday.
Revenge is an incredible motivator, but perhaps more important is simple championship experience. Even without Bosa, a deep defense will be able to contain Brewer and a well-known offense.
On offense, Elliott will have a grind-it-out sort of game and the versatility of someone such as Barrett under center will keep the Hokies honest. So long as the Buckeyes can jump out to a lead early, call it the perfect way to start the season for the defending champs.
Prediction: Ohio State 38, Virginia Tech 27
Statistics courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
