All Eyes on Maryland: Predicting Virginia Tech Vs. Boise State By Percentages

The eyes of America are now squarely focused on Maryland.  After an exciting three days of college football, fans are on the edge of their seats waiting for the all-important kickoff between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Boise State Broncos.

The nation is largely split on the outcome of the game.  It is also split on the future of Boise State and other non-BCS schools after the game.  But there aren’t many people who are focusing on what will happen during the game.

This slideshow will list the likelihood of specific ways the game will turn out by percentage.  Hope you all enjoy!

Defensive Battle: 40 Percent

For the first time in a long time, the hype surrounding Virginia Tech revolves around its offense.  It returns almost every skill player from a team that averaged 31.8 points per game last season.  Bud Foster and the rest of the defense are not going to take kindly to that sentiment.

And neither will Boise State.  Their defense performed admirably, especially when it has had more time to prepare for an offense.  With the world talking about the offenses, the defenses have been quietly preparing and their game-plans should be rather straightforward.

For the Broncos, it’s staying disciplined and wrapping up on tackles.  With the plethora of running talent in the opposing backfield, they need to keep their lanes and not allow Ryan Williams and Darren Evans to break tackles.

For the Hokies, it’s putting pressure on Kellen Moore without spreading the defensive backs too thin against the pass or run.  Boise has their own trio of running backs and will be able to keep fresh legs on the field at all times against a Hokie defense with little proven depth.

During the first half, the defenses could easily play with more intensity and discipline than the talented offenses everyone expects to do well.  But if the game continues defensively, Boise State should be able to figure out a bland Hokie offense.  20-17 Broncos.

Shootout: 25 Percent

The Hokies are dusting off the cobwebs in the offense playbook and plan to use a lot of two-back sets.  With little to no film to study and the threat of Tyrod Taylor turning any play into a big play, the Bronco defense could be easily left in the dust.

The same can be said for the Bronco offense.  With an inexperienced defensive line facing an experienced offensive line, John Graves and company may not be able to get pressure on Moore, leaving him to pick apart the secondary at will.

It would make for an exciting game but it’s one that neither coach wants, though it would favor BSU more than VT who has had their fair number of shootouts.  The pressure would fall square on Brian Stinesping and the Hokie offense which typically starts slowly against top opponents.  48-40 Boise.

Hokie Domination: 15 Percent

Virginia Tech does what they do best and dominate the time of possession.  Ryan Williams and Darren Evans pound away on the interior of a Bronco d-line that hasn’t performed well against top talent.  Tyrod Taylor extends drives with his arm and feet and is able to find an open receiver on most play-action passes.

John Graves and Bruce Taylor clog the run and turn the Broncos into a one-dimensional team.  The Hokie faithful force false starts and delay of games.  The Boise offense doesn’t want to get into a hole early and Kellen Moore forces a third and long into double coverage for an interception.

Bud Foster dials up cornerback blitzes on the consequent drives and Moore can’t escape the pressure forcing punts.

After nearly blocking a kick, the Broncos get scared and leave Jay Hosley to work his magic.  He and David Wilson shorten the field after Dyrell Roberts returns a kickoff for a touchdown.  Bronco Nation flashes back to Georgia and half of them catch the early flight home.  37-10 Hokies.

Bronco Domination: 10 Percent

Austin Pettis returns the opening kickoff and Jeron Johnson picks off the first Hokie offensive play and returns it for another TD.  Doug Martin forces the Hokies to respect the run and leave Kellen Moore with enough time to find an open receiver.  The early season problems from 2009 follow Virginia Tech into 2010 and D.J. Harper breaks a tackle for a 50-yard touchdown.

Ryan Williams coughs up the ball on the one successful drive and Hokie Nation flashes back to Louisiana.  The commentators turn the game into an argument on whether or not the Broncos deserve a national title shot.

The cries of jubilation of TCU, Utah, BYU and every small school fan can be heard across the country.

The reputation of the ACC is tarnished once again and Dyrell Roberts punches someone in the face.  Virginia Tech tries to pick up the pieces and salvage a season for an ACC title no one will respect them for.  They are permanently assigned the nickname “Chokies” and riots against the BCS break out across Idaho.  37-10 Broncos.

Epicness: Five Percent

The first half is dominated by defense with a couple of scattered big plays from Ryan Williams and Kellen Moore.  Austin Pettis returns a kickoff for a touchdown but Dyrell Roberts returns the ensuing kick for a touchdown.  Boise State converts a fourth down to set up a field goal to send the game into overtime.

Ryan Williams fumbles on third and short.  The Hokie defense performs valiantly and holds the Broncos to a field goal.  The kick hits off the left upright to send the game into double overtime.

Tyrod Taylor connects with Jarrett Boykin on a fade route to the end zone where he wrestles it away from Jeron Johnson.  The Broncos answer quickly and score a touchdown of their own.

Chris Peterson chooses to send the game into triple overtime rather than risk it kicks the extra point.  John Graves breaks through to block the kick and Rashad Carmichael returns it for two points.  46-43 Hokies.

Injuries or Something Even Crazier: Five Percent

Kellen Moore gets injuried on the second play of the game and Bronco nation is defeated.  The game is a boring blowout and no arguments are settled.  It’s something no one wants to see but if it can happened to Texas in the national title game, it can happen to anyone.

But it doesn’t have to just be Moore getting hurt.  John Graves or Rashad Carmichael could have the same effect for the Hokies.  They need all of the senior leadership they can get on an inexperienced defense.  And Graves was bothered most of 2009 with injuries so it’s a legitimate possibility.

Austin Pettis is another player the Broncos can’t afford to lose.  He is the deeper threat and they will need to stretch the field as much as possible in order to be successful.  Titus Young is a lethal return man and BSU may need a spark in order to win the game.  If there is a big name player injured during the game, all bets are off.

Conclusion

If you expect one thing from this game, it is that you will be entertained.

The game is likely to have facets of all of the above, hopefully without the injuries.  The first half has a great chance to be a defensive struggle simply because of motivation.  The second half should be have more fireworks in it as both defenses will be tired.

Ultimately, it comes down to which team can run their offense effectively.  Boise State works on short passes and runs to eat up the clock while Virginia Tech is content running the ball sixty times a game.  If one team can throw the other off their game, there’s a good chance that team will win.

If one of the aforementioned options were to happen, I would think it would be epicness.  Simply put, this game is between two fantastic teams and each side has a lot riding on the outcome.  Regardless of the outcome, this is a game people will talk about as the day non-BCS teams succeeded or failed.