Duke vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview

The Virginia Tech Hokies head back to Lane Stadium on Saturday in dire need of a win. It's a situation the Hokies faced two weeks ago when N.C. State came to town after back-to-back losses.

Last week, Tech dropped to 3-4 (1-2) on the season with a disappointing, turnover-filled performance at Miami.

Brenden Motley started the game for the Hokies and turned the ball over three times before a returning Michael Brewer replaced him. Brewer made things interesting, but he also turned the ball over late and Tech's defense couldn't stop Miami when it mattered the most.

Next up for the Hokies: the Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0).

Duke is coming to Blacksburg as a winner of three straight. The Blue Devils defeated Army by a score of 44-3 last weekend.

The Hokies lead the all-time series 14-8 and have dominated Duke since entering the ACC back in 2004. VT is 10-1 since becoming ACC rivals with the Blue Devils. Duke's lone win came two years ago in Blacksburg.

• When: Saturday, October 24, 2015
• Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPNU
• Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
• Spread: The Hokies are currently 2.5-point favorites, per Odds Shark.

Duke's Keys to Victory

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Duke QB Thomas Sirk

Get Off to a Fast Start

Duke is ranked No. 4 in total defense in the country. That may surprise some folks, as head coach David Cutcliffe is known more for his offensive brilliance, but the Blue Devils are allowing only 252.8 total yards per game.

That's impressive.

Virginia Tech has lost three of its past four games. If Duke can get out to fast start, that could spell doom for the Hokies.

Duke should be aggressive on both sides of the ball, specifically on offense to get off to a fast start. If the Devils can get a early lead, they can tee off on Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer in his second game back from a broken collarbone.

Offensive Balance

Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk is having a solid but unspectacular season. He is completing 62.4 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns and only three interceptions.

The Blue Devils are averaging 232.2 passing yards and 180.7 rushing yards per contest. That is good balance.

Against the Hokies, Duke must maintain that balance. The biggest key for the Blue Devils, however, is attacking Virginia Tech's young, inexperienced secondary early. A few big plays through the air would open up the running lanes for Duke and make defending the Devils much more difficult for Tech.

Virginia Tech's Keys to Victory

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech running back Travon McMillian

Feed Travon McMillian

The Hokies have finally found their best running back. Redshirt freshman McMillian has taken over as Tech's top runner, and the results are impressive. In the last two weeks against ACC foes, McMillian has rushed for a total of 195 yards on just 27 attempts. That's good for over seven yards per rush.

Not only is McMillian a big play waiting to happen, he also runs with impressive patience and is underrated between the tackles.

It would be interesting to see what McMillian could do with 20-25 touches.

Create Turnovers

The Hokies are at their best when they're flying around on defense, pressuring the quarterback and forcing mistakes. Those mistakes have often led to points for Virginia Tech.

Not this season.

Against Miami last week, Tech lost the turnover battle 4-0. That was clearly the difference in a 10-point loss.

Creating turnovers and flipping field position would go a long way in VT's quest to get its ACC season turned around before it's too late.

Duke Players to Watch

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Duke S Jeremy Cash

Running Back Shaun Wilson

Wilson isn't a player who's produced eye-popping stats in 2015. The 5'9", 180-pound sophomore running back is Duke's most versatile weapon on offense.

Wilson is third on the team in rushing and receiving. He's run for 210 yards and a score, while also catching 13 passes for 167 yards and another touchdown. His lone receiving touchdown was an 89-yard catch-and-run in Week 2.

He's a dangerous player in space and can line up anywhere for the Blue Devils. He's not been as involved in recent weeks, and that needs to change. He is the type of player who's given Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster trouble in recent years.

Safety Jeremy Cash

Senior safety Jeremy Cash is arguably the best safety in the country. An argument could even be made for Cash as the best player in the ACC. And Virginia Tech knows how good Cash is.

Last season, Cash registered seven tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks against the Hokies.

The All-American is a Swiss Army knife of sorts for the Blue Devils on defense. He can line up at either safety position, step inside to play slot corner or come down and play inside the box.

He makes an impact regardless of where he lines up. Through six games this season, Cash has 11.5 tackles for loss from his safety position. That's a ridiculously good number for a safety and he's a major reason why Duke is such a force on defense this fall.

Virginia Tech Players to Watch

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech QB Michael Brewer last week vs. Miami

Quarterback Michael Brewer

To no one's surprise, head coach Frank Beamer announced to reporters that Brewer would return to his position as starting quarterback this weekend vs. Duke. 

Brewer returned last week, but coaches were confident in backup quarterback Brenden Motley after a strong performance the week before in a win over N.C. State. However, Motley struggled and the coaching staff decided to bring in Brewer late.

This offense showed tremendous potential in the season opener with Brewer under center. His return should give Tech's offense a shot in the arm.

Expect Motley to still have a role, though. Coaches can confidently bring the junior in so that the opposition can no longer key in on just the running game. Motley proved to everyone that he could make big plays in the passing game during Brewer's absence.

Defensive End Dadi Nicolas

Another week and another disappointing day from Virginia Tech's pass rush. Entering the 2015 season, expectations were high for the Hokies' deep defensive front. The Hokies were loaded with several former All-ACC players, including defensive end Dadi Nicolas.

Last fall, Nicolas had a terrific season. Nicolas recorded nine sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and hit opposing quarterbacks 35 times.

This season, Nicolas has yet to record a sack and has just one tackle for loss. In addition to those paltry numbers, Nicolas has just four quarterback hits.

If the Hokies are going to get their season turned around, Nicolas needs to play better. That must begin this weekend.

What They're Saying

Steve Helber/Associated Press

VT offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler

Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler felt the time was right to switch back to Brewer, according to Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

"

We feel at this time that it’s the best thing for our program. Over the last couple of weeks, he was able to obtain some practice reps and try to get the glitches out of his shoulder injury. And I think in the time he's been gone, Motley's done an excellent job. He stumbled on Saturday and it's just the right time for Virginia Tech to have Michael as our quarterback.

"

Frank Beamer summed up the obvious about the Hokies' season to date.

“We’re not happy with where we are right now,” said Beamer. “I’m happy with the potential that we have right now. And I’ve said all along, we’ve just got to play better.”

Prediction

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller celebrating a Duke missed field goal last fall that led to Hokie win

Duke's defense is good. Very good. The Hokies are often the team with the better defense. Not this time.

The Hokies are getting quarterback Michael Brewer back at the right time. Facing a strong Duke defense, Virginia Tech must find balance on offense and move the chains consistently.

Expect the Blue Devils to have success moving the ball on the Hokies. The Hokies have allowed opponents to score 30 or more points three times this season. That's rare for a Foster-coached defense. Duke won't score 30, as the Hokies will go a good job of limiting the Blue Devils in the red zone.

In the end, McMillian's emergence and Brewer's return will give the Virginia Tech faithful something to cheer for and the Hokies will pull this one out in the fourth quarter.

It will be close, and expect for tight end Bucky Hodges to have a bigger impact this weekend.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Duke 17