N.C. State vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview
The Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC) kicked off the ACC portion of their schedule on Saturday with an ugly 17-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Hokies mustered only 100 yards of total offense, and quarterback Brenden Motley was sacked seven times.
Next up for the Hokies is North Carolina State.
The Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC) also kicked off ACC play last week with a 20-13 home loss to Louisville. The 'Pack began the 2015 season with one of the weakest schedules in all of FCS. N.C. State defeated Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama before losing to Louisville last weekend.
This is the 49th all-time meeting between the two schools and only the fourth since the Hokies entered the ACC back in 2004. Tech leads the all-time series 26-18-4 and is 3-1 against State as ACC foes.
The last meeting was in 2010, when the Tyrod Taylor-led Hokies defeated the Wolfpack and a guy named Russell Wilson.
- When: Friday, October 9, 2015
- 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 Hokies are currently two-point favorites, via Odds Shark.
N.C. State's Keys to Victory
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Make Virginia Tech One-Dimensional
N.C. State bolsters one of the best run defenses in the entire nation. The Wolfpack are No. 6 against the run, allowing just 80 yards rushing per game. The Hokies, meanwhile, ran for just nine yards in last week's loss to Pittsburgh.
The 'Pack did allow Louisville to rush for over 203 yards last week, and the Hokies surely took notice.
For N.C. State, it must load the box and make the Hokies win with their passing game. Whether it's Motley or Michael Brewer under center, Virginia Tech still prefers to run the football first. If the 'Pack can keep Tech under 100 yards on the ground, they have a good shot at their first ACC win.
Attack Virginia Tech's Secondary
With All-American cornerback Kendall Fuller out for the year, the Hokies are starting redshirt freshman Terrell Edmunds in his spot and true freshman Mook Reynolds at nickelback. While both young players are talented, it makes sense for senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett to attack them in the passing game.
Sophomore Jaylen Samuels is State's leading receiver with 25 receptions, 300 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Samuels, a fullback/tight end, is a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere. Expect him to be targeted plenty.
However, if the Wolfpack are going to attack Virginia Tech down the field, they need to do so with one of their big outside receivers. Jumichael Ramos, a 6'2", 200-pound junior, is third on the team in receptions and second in receiving yards. He is a potential matchup problem for the Hokies.
Virginia Tech's Keys to Victory
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The Return of Michael Brewer
The Hokies felt good about their offense before the season with senior quarterback Michael Brewer under center. When Brewer went down with a broken collarbone in the season opener, Tech's offense had to turn to Motley, a run-first quarterback with little experience throwing the football at the college level.
While Motley had his moments, he struggled in a big way in last week's loss to Pitt. He often held the ball too long and made some bad decisions with the football. In all fairness to Motley, though, the offensive line was terrible.
Enter Brewer.
According to Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times, Brewer returned to practice Monday and could play Friday. That is potentially good news for a struggling offense. Brewer gets rid of the ball quicker and is much more decisive.
Keep the Pressure on Brissett
Brissett does a good job of taking care of the ball for N.C. State. He has yet to throw an interception in 123 attempts in 2015. Since becoming the starter last fall, Brissett has 30 touchdown passes versus only five interceptions.
The Hokies are one of the best teams in all of college football at forcing turnovers on an annual basis. This year, Tech has already forced 12 turnovers. The Hokies also do a good job of getting to opposing quarterbacks. However, this year, Virginia Tech has just 10 sacks through five games.
Star defensive ends Ken Ekanem and Dadi Nicolas have combined for zero sacks, and that needs to change if Tech is going to start winning football games.
Brissett is an athletic passer, and if defensive coordinator Bud Foster needs to blitz more to make him uncomfortable, he will. Brissett has been far too comfortable in the pocket this fall. If the Hokies can move him off his spot, he's more likely to make a mistake or two.
N.C. State Players to Watch
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Running Back Matt Dayes
The junior running back leads the Wolfpack with 532 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Dayes is also second on the team in receptions with 18. At 5'9", 203 pounds, Dayes has good size, runs with his pads lowered, is patient and boasts solid speed.
Dayes is the type of runner who will make an aggressive defense pay. Tech has an aggressive defense. If one of VT's linebackers overpursues, Dayes will cut back and get some big gains on the ground. He will test Tech's young secondary, too, particularly freshman rover Adonis Alexander.
Defensive Tackle B.J. Hill
B.J. Hill is a big, physical and athletic defensive tackle. At 6'4", 294 pounds, Hill is a disruptor in both the running game and passing game. He's third on the team in tackles and tied for the team lead in sacks and tackles for loss.
Undoubtedly, the Wolfpack defense watched the Hokies struggle with Pitt's defensive line last week and licked its chops. State has a big defensive line, and Hill is the unit's top player.
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Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Quarterback Michael Brewer
If Brewer returns, and there's a good chance he does, all eyes will be on him. Can Tech's struggling offensive line keep him clean? It's important to remember that Virginia Tech's offensive line played well in the first four weeks.
Will Brewer be rusty? Sure; you can't expect a player to miss over a month of live action and be sharp upon his return. Expect offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to try and get the Hokies' ground game going against a stout N.C. State defensive front. While the Wolfpack do a good job of defending the run, they don't possess a fierce pass rush.
The biggest question for Loeffler is who'll play left tackle: promising true freshman Yosuah Nijman or incumbent starter Jonathan McLaughlin? This one bears watching.
Defensive End Dadi Nicolas
Stats—especially sacks—are often overrated. They don't always tell the true story of how well a player is or isn't playing. That's the case with Virginia Tech's All-ACC defensive end Dadi Nicolas.
The speedy and athletic Nicolas has been a force against the run in 2015. He just hasn't registered a sack—yet. That will change sometime soon. Nicolas is simply too good. Also, he's been so close on a number of occasions.
Will Saturday be the day Nicolas records his first sack? If so, that's good news for VT's defense.
What They're Saying
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N.C. State
If third down is considered the money down, what does that mean for first down? For N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren, he certainly understands the importance of getting some yards on first down to avoid 3rd-and-long situations.
The Wolfpack struggled on first down in last week's loss to Louisville. In 22 first-down plays, 11 went for either zero or negative yardage, per Joe Giglio of the News & Observer. The biggest problem was the Wolfpack's inability to run the football, something Doeren is confident his team can do.
“I’m not doubtful about our ability to run the football,” Doeren said. “We’ve got to do a better job of staying on schedule.”
If the 'Pack face a ton of 3rd-and-long situations against the Hokies, it could get ugly.
Virginia Tech
Greg Stroman's struggles on defense and his ability to make plays on offense led Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer to move the speedy sophomore from cornerback to wide receiver. According to Beamer, this is a full-time move for the talented Stroman, per Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"He's going to be a wide receiver full-time," Beamer said. "We think he's a great playmaker. … We need that."
Stroman wasn't a bad cornerback. He was pressed into duty as the starter when Fuller couldn't play at East Carolina. He struggled playing outside, as he's best suited to play inside in the slot.
More than likely, it was Stroman's success with the ball in his hand last fall—particularly late in the season—that led coaches to move him to the other side of the ball.
Overall, this is a terrific move for the Hokies and Stroman. He will immediately become Tech's No. 3 receiver.
Prediction
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To put it mildly, the Hokies have struggled over the last two weeks. Regardless of if Brewer returns under center for the Hokies, expect a fired-up bunch in Blacksburg on Friday night.
For the Wolfpack, their 4-1 start is a bit deceiving. Louisville was the first strong opponent N.C. State played this season, and the 'Pack struggled.
Expect this to be a close game. You have two desperate teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start in ACC play. The Hokies will find a running game, and tight end Bucky Hodges will prove to be the difference in the game for Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, N.C. State 17
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