Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Complete Game Preview
Another week and another disappointing loss for Virginia Tech, as the Hokies lost a 45-43 heartbreaker to Duke and fell to 3-5 (1-3) on the season.
Up next for the Hokies: a Boston College team that has beaten Tech in each of the last two seasons.
Could things get even worse for Virginia Tech?
Well, the Hokies' bowl streak could be in serious jeopardy. With four games remaining, VT needs to win at least three in order to go bowling for the 23rd consecutive season.
Boston College enters this weekend's game with an identical 3-5 record, although the Eagles are 0-5 in ACC play. BC has lost its last four games.
The Hokies lead the all-time series 15-8.
- When: Saturday, October 31, 2015
- Where: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ACC Network
- Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
- Spread: The Hokies are presently 2.5-point favorites, according to Odds Shark.
Virginia Tech's Keys to Victory
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Make Big Plays in the Passing Game
Boston College has the No. 2-ranked total defense in the country. The Eagles are No. 1 versus the run, allowing just 62 yards rushing per game. So if you're going to beat BC, you better do it through the air.
The Hokies are capable with Michael Brewer under center. In his first start since Week 1, Brewer passed for 270 yards and three scores in the loss to Duke. He did not turn the ball over. Brewer also got star tight end Bucky Hodges more involved in the offense.
With running back Travon McMillian as the starter in the backfield, the Hokies have the running back to keep BC's terrific defense honest. Brewer must make the Eagles pay.
Avoid Self-Destruction on Defense
BC's defense is the defense people are accustomed to seeing Virginia Tech play. That's just not the case in 2015.
The Hokies are ranked 42nd in total defense, but that number is a bit deceiving. Opposing offenses have had little trouble moving the football against Tech this fall. Against Miami, the Hokies needed their defense to get the ball back to the offense to have a chance to win. It did not happen.
Against Duke, the defense allowed one big play after another. When was the last time Virginia Tech's offense scored 43 points and lost?
If the Hokies can just avoid allowing the big play on defense, they stand a good chance of winning on Saturday.
Boston College's Keys to Victory
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Get Something from the Quarterback Position
The Eagles could be without starting quarterback Jeff Smith for this week's game against the Hokies, per Rich Thompson of the Boston Herald. It would be another blow to the Eagles, who've had to deal with numerous injuries thus far in 2015.
If Smith is out, BC will turn to freshman Troy Flutie (Doug's nephew) or John Fadule.
The Eagles haven't exactly received a ton of production from any of the three quarterbacks who have played this fall. As a team, BC is completing just 42.6 percent of its passes.
Against the Hokies, head coach Steve Addazio will need more from his quarterback.
Tech has struggled in the secondary this fall. If Boston College can't make the Hokies' young secondary pay, it will struggle to move the football.
Make Virginia Tech 1-Dimensional
Boston College will make Virginia Tech earn every yard this weekend. However, if the Eagles eliminate VT's running game, stopping the pass becomes that much easier.
McMillian will present a challenge to BC's defense. If he gets to the outside, he can score every time he touches the ball. He's also proven to be a tough runner between the tackles.
Boston College, though, will do a good job of making McMillian be patient. Will doing this force Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to abandon the run earlier than he would like?
If Tech is forced to throw the football 40 or more times, getting to Brewer and forcing a mistake could be just enough for the Eagles to win.
Virginia Tech's Key Players
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Quarterback Michael Brewer
Brewer will be under siege against the Eagles this weekend. Not only does Boston College stop the run, it gets after opposing passers, too. BC has 26 sacks through eight games in 2015.
Brewer was sacked three times last week, but most importantly, he did not turn the ball over.
Turnovers plagued Brewer last season. So far, he is doing a better job of learning that it is sometimes beneficial to take a sack and live for the next play rather than forcing the ball into coverage.
If Virginia Tech is going to get back to its winning ways, Brewer needs to have a big game and avoid any negative plays.
Linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka
The sophomore middle linebacker has struggled—to say the least—this season. He's often out of position, missing tackles or lost in coverage. A lack of aggression isn't Motuapuaka's problem. It's finishing plays.
Several of the the big runs Tech has allowed this season have come at the expense of Motuapuaka. Whether it's trusting his instincts or failing to wrap the ball-carrier up, Motuapuaka has been victimized far too often.
BC likes to run its quarterbacks. In fact, that's how the Eagles beat the Hokies in 2014. Whether it's Flutie or Smith, expect Boston College to target VT's "Mike" linebacker. If Motuapuaka proves he's up to the challenge, Tech's defense will be much better.
Boston College's Key Players
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Wide Receiver Thadd Smith
The 5'9", 175-pound sophomore is BC's most dynamic weapon on offense. Incredibly, he leads the Eagles with 10 receptions through eight weeks. Yes, 10 catches.
However, Addazio has made getting Smith more involved in the offense a priority. Just last week, Smith caught four balls.
To best utilize Smith, Boston College should line him up in several positions—in the backfield, in the slot and have him in motion as the ball is being snapped. Putting three receivers on the field and having Smith in the slot would isolate him against true freshman Mook Reynolds. Reynolds is plenty talented but has struggled recently.
This is a matchup the Eagles should attempt to exploit.
Defensive Tackle Connor Wujciak
The senior defensive tackle is the anchor of Boston College's stout run defense. Wujciak is tough to run against and commands consistent double-teams. This could present quite the challenge for Tech's inexperienced and inconsistent offensive line.
When Wujciak is double-teamed, it frees up Steven Daniels, Mehdi Abdesmad, Matt Milano, Harold Landry and others to rush the passer in favorable one-on-one situations.
What They're Saying
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Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer's iconic tenure as head coach of his alma mater is quickly reaching its end. The question is, how quickly?
Will it be after this season or will Beamer coach another year? That decision could be taken out of his hands by athletic director Whit Babcock.
During Monday's press conference, Beamer was asked about his future and predictably didn't offer much, per Andy Bitter of the Roanoke Times.
"The only thing I’m really concerned about right now is Boston College. That's the only thing on my mind," Beamer said. "Whatever is good for Virginia Tech, what is best for Virginia Tech, is what I’m into. I’ve always felt that way and always will, and that’s it."
Prediction
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Remember Virginia Tech's overtime thriller against Wake Forest last season? OK, thriller could be a bit of an understatement. However, that is the type of score you could see this weekend.
Don't bet on it, though.
Virginia Tech's offense is better than it was one year ago, but its defense is much worse. While Boston College enters this game with a bevy of injuries on both sides of the ball, this game will come down to the wire.
The Hokies have to win another game, right? Yes, and they will on Saturday when Brewer leads Virginia Tech to much-needed victory.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 17, Boston College 14
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