Virginia Tech Football: Hokies Season on the Line Against East Carolina

Neither of these programs are where they thought they would be.

Virginia Tech lost two games in a week, one to FCS opponent James Madison, and has rightfully dropped from the top 25.

East Carolina figured to rebuild this year but are atop the Conference USA East with two wins.

This game has become much more interesting for the average college fan but incredibly valuable for each team.

Virginia Tech needs to salvage their season and the Pirates want to beat big brother for the second time in three years.

Bud Foster’s defense has been decidedly mediocre and unable to tackle in space.  This could spell disaster against a team that has averaged fifty points over two games.  Ruffin McNeil brought the Texas Tech spread offense to ECU and Boston College transfer Dominique Davis has flourished.

Hokie fans and players understand the gravity of the situation at hand.  It’s bad enough to go from national title contender to nothing in a week but losing at home twice to teams largely comprised on the recruits who missed the cut would be entirely unacceptable.  Not that losing to JMU isn’t.

The Vegas odds makers have placed Pirates at a shocking 19-point underdog.  At this point, Vegas may have more faith in the Hokies than the Hokies do.

That’s a dangerous bet against a quarterback who will likely not see much pocket pressure and is also mobile.  Dwayne Harris is a do-it-all receiver and a dynamic playmaker in space which, based on the season, seems to be a serious problem for the Hokies.

Tyrod Taylor has played almost flawlessly despite losing a wet ball and throwing an interception to a man he didn’t likely see.  And Nick Becton, the dearly missed left tackle, finally returns after battling turf toe to start the season.

Despite putting up big offensive numbers, East Carolina has also given up their fair share of points.  Hopefully Brian Stinespring and the offensive will improve enough to create a solid offense for the entire game.  Hokie Nation wants the return of the top ten defense it has grown accustomed to but they’ll just be happy seeing a one in the win column, even if it's a shootout.

Normally, I’d try to predict the game but at this point it’s entirely pointless.  The ball is in Tech’s court as they have the decided edge in talent but until running lanes can be opened and people can be tackled consistently, there is really no reason for optimism.

At this point, nothing would be surprising.  Bud Foster may have finally gotten through to his rookies and someone taught the line how to block.  Or not.

Regardless of the actual score, the game provides one of the more interesting storylines for a relatively uneventful week three.  One team looks to turn a season around and the other wants the magic to continue.

The answers will come this Saturday at 1:30.  Until then, and likely for the following three hours, it’s anyone’s game.