North Carolina vs Virginia Tech: 3 Keys to Victory for the Hokies

People were skeptical of the Hokies after they were dominated by Clemson at home earlier this season, but this is a new team.

Logan Thomas has dramatically improved from that game and David Wilson has rushed for over 123 yards in every game except one this season. This production has led to Virginia Tech scoring 30 or more points in four of their last five games.

If they can notch a win here and in-state rival Virginia loses on the road to Florida State, Tech can clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game for a rematch against Clemson.

But the Hokies have to win tonight in order for that to be a possibility. So what do they need to do to get the all-important “W?”

Don’t turn the ball over

The thing that has stifled Virginia Tech’s offense is turnovers and it has a nasty habit of doing so in opponent’s territory. Against Duke, this team had 300 yards of offense in the first half but turned the ball over twice in the end zone, which prevented them from scoring more than 14 points in the game.

When the Hokies turn the ball over less than two times in a game, they are 5-0 and have scored at least 30 points in all of those games, 37 or more in four of them.

North Carolina ranks 87th in the country in turnover margin, so hopefully for them it won’t be an issue.

Stop Giovani Bernard and Brynn Renner

In three of the four Tar Heel losses, running back Giovani Bernard has averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry. Also in three of four losses, quarterback Brynn Renner has thrown two or more interceptions.

Renner has one of the highest completion rates in the country at 71.4 percent, but he also has 11 interceptions and UNC has lost 10 fumbles on the season. The one game he threw for under 60 percent was the Tar Heels 21-point loss to Clemson.

Both of these players are incredibly talented, but the numbers don’t lie. Stop them and/or force them to turn the ball over and the game is almost a lock for Virginia Tech.

Win the turnover battle

Have I mentioned how important turnovers are in this game?

In UNC’s four losses, they have lost the turnover battle by a combined 13-5. Virginia Tech has lost the turnover battle three times, losing one game and winning the other two by a combined 10 points against 4-6 and 5-5 teams.

If one team can get two more turnovers than the other, this game is essentially a lock for that team.

Based on past performance, that team should be Virginia Tech.