Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest Football: Previewing the Hokies' Matchup with Wake

What will Virginia Tech do for an encore?

Last week, the Hokies pulled out a breathtaking victory over the Miami Hurricanes in a shootout. Led by Logan Thomas, the offense scored 38 points and accumulated 482 yards of total offense.

For the first time this season, the defense was exposed, giving up 35 points and over 500 yards to the 'Canes.

Tech has a new challenge this week on the road against a surprise Wake Forest squad. The Hokies better not overlook the Demon Deacons, lest they suffer the same fate as Florida State.

Let's check out the positional breakdowns for Saturday's inter-divisional ACC matchup.  

Quarterback Play

Saturday's game pits two sophomore quarterbacks who are coming off impressive performances in big games.

Logan Thomas is coming off a breakout performance, completing 92 percent of his passes and throwing for three touchdowns against Miami. Play-by-play announcer for Virginia Tech Bill Roth said the performance "might be the best ever by a Tech QB."

For the first time, Thomas showed incredible poise in the pocket and distributed the football with great accuracy. He made the game-changing play, rushing for a touchdown on 4th-and-1 to seal the win for the Hokies.

Tanner Price is riding high off of a great showing against the Seminoles, completing 21-of-35 passes with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Price has been fantastic all season, averaging 270.4 yards passing per game with 10 touchdowns.

With both quarterbacks playing confidently, expect Price and Thomas to be sharp on Saturday. However, Price has been the more consistent player to this point, giving the slight edge to Wake Forest at the quarterback position. 

Advantage: Wake Forest 

Ground Game

No offense to Wake Forest's Josh Harris, or any other ACC running back Tech will face this year.

But, as long as David Wilson is healthy, pencil in the Hokies as the team with the running game advantage.

Wilson went over 100 yards once again versus Miami. Wilson ran for 128 yards on 23 carries. He has been apt to pick up steam as the game wears on, tiring out defenses with his speed and relentless style.

The key for Wilson is continuing to become increasingly involved in the passing game. If the coaching staff can find ways to get Wilson the ball on receiving patterns, watch this offense take off.

Josh Harris is no slouch either. The sophomore from Texas is only averaging just over 80 yards per game, but has game-breaking explosiveness. In his freshman campaign, Harris averaged 5.8 yards per rush.

The Hokies have the clear edge, but do not sleep on Harris.

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

The biggest difference for Logan Thomas last week versus the first five games? 

His receivers responded.

Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale showed big-play ability against a good Miami secondary. Boykin and Coale combined for 211 yards receiving and two touchdowns against a 'Canes unit that welcomed back Ray-Ray Armstrong.

The receiving corps of Wake Forest, like its quarterback, has been exceptionally consistent. Chris Givens leads the group, with 599 yards and five touchdowns.

He was named ACC Offensive Receiver of the Week for his 100-yard performance against Florida State last week.

Similar to the quarterback position, Virginia Tech's receivers stepped up last week. That being said, Wake's receivers have been doing that all season, giving them the nod.

Advantage: Wake Forest 

Offensive Line

Virginia Tech's offensive line contributed to an impressive showing against Miami.

The front line only allowed one sack, and opened up gaping holes for David Wilson to run through all afternoon.

Most importantly, they opened up a gap fit for a dump truck on 4th-and-1 with the game on the line. Quarterback Logan Thomas went untouched for the game-winning score.

Wake Forest, on the other hand, has had its struggles protecting the quarterback. The Demon Deacons are allowing nearly two-and-a-half sacks per game.

The Hokies are ranked eighth in the nation with three sacks per game. That spells trouble for Tanner Price in the pocket.

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Defensive Line

Did I mention Virginia Tech is eighth in the country in sacks?

The Hokie pass-rushers are small, but quick off the ball, specializing at rushing off the edge. Playing against a spread attack like Wake Forest will be right up the alley of the Tech front four.

Tech does have injury problems, however. Besides Antoine Hopkins being out for the season, the Hokies may have to also do without James Gayle. Gayle sprained his ankle against Miami and is iffy for Saturday's game.

Wake Forest is ranked 108th in sacks, with only one per game. Virginia Tech's offensive line should be able to contain a unit that is less talented than most they have faced to this point.

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Linebackers

The linebackers for the Hokies continue to be the strength of the defense.

The combination of Tariq Edwards and Bruce Taylor is one of the quickest, surest tackling tandems in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The duo will be tested against a spread attack that likes to distribute the ball all over the field. One missed tackle against the Demon Deacons could lead to a touchdown.

Like many aspects of the team, Wake's linebackers are vastly underrated. Kyle Wilber has sacks in three consecutive games and was a force on Saturday versus Florida State. He will need to be accounted for on Saturday.

Wake Forest linebackers are not to be taken lightly, but the talent of Tech's linebackers is hard to match.

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Defensive Backs

The Virginia Tech secondary was exposed last Saturday.

Particularly its aggressiveness. 

There were multiple occasions when Tech's defensive backs jumped routes, only to come up empty and allow big passing plays for the 'Canes. They will need to shore up their discipline versus a potent Wake Forest passing attack.

The Wake Forest defensive backs have been average this season, allowing 222.6 yards per game through the air. However, they do surround the ball, as evidenced by Wake's six interceptions thus far.

Logan Thomas will need to be careful with his passes. But, the Demon Deacons lack a true shutdown corner like Tech's Jayron Hosley. 

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Special Teams

One of the biggest roars from the Lane Stadium crowd came when freshman punter Michael Branthover entered the game against Miami for his first punt attempt.

The result? A booming punt that traveled over 50 yards.

I have been candid in saying that this change in punter has been a long time coming. It instantly improves the field position game for the Hokies, and helps the special teams unit as a whole.

For Wake Forest, kicker Jimmy Newman has been very accurate, hitting 11-of-12 field goals this season. He has been more reliable than Tech kicker Cody Journell, who has hit 6-of-9.

There is nothing overly exciting about either of these units. The accurate kicking game for the Demon Deacons gives them the edge.

Advantage: Wake Forest 

Coaching

Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Wake Forest's Jim Grobe have great mutual respect for each other as coaches and individuals.

And both are very similar.

Both Beamer and Grobe have taken overlooked football programs and made them relevant. Both always put hard-working teams on the field.

In this matchup, Beamer gets the edge based on his ability to motivate the Hokies after a dud against Clemson. It was a different Tech team last week, and I expect Virginia Tech to continue the momentum this week.

Advantage: Virginia Tech 

Prediction

Virginia Tech showed resiliency, winning a back-and-forth game against a talented Miami squad after a humiliating loss to Clemson.

Wake Forest shocked the world with an upset win over Florida State. They are an overtime loss to Syracuse from being ranked and undefeated coming into this contest.

Virginia Tech has more talent. Then again, so did the Seminoles.

They are not to be taken lightly, Tech fans.

This game will be another close, nail-biting affair. Wake Forest has an accurate passer in Tanner Price who will keep Wake close down to the wire.

However, the Hokies will prevail.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 34 Wake Forest 28