Virginia Tech vs. Clemson: 5 Halftime Adjustments Will Make Hokies ACC Champs

The 2011 ACC Championship Game pairing the No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies and No. 20 Clemson Tigers has been an entertaining contest thus far.

The favored Hokies still have an opportunity to avenge their October loss...that is if they can address their shortcomings from the first two quarters.

Making the following adjustments will have them Orange Bowl-bound.

More Vertical Passes from Quarterback Logan Thomas

Logan Thomas has impressed everybody as a first-year starter with his low interception total and effectiveness as a rusher in the red zone.

But to lead the Virginia Tech Hokies to victory on Saturday night, he will need to attempt more deep throws.

The Clemson Tigers defense is quick to pounce on Thomas' screen passes. He cannot continue to settle for safe check-downs or else the offense will be hard-pressed to score.

His touchdown drive near the end of the first quarter, for example, exploited Clemson's secondary.

Protecting the Football

Turnovers can negate the most productive offenses, and Logan Thomas' first-quarter fumble led directly to a Clemson Tigers touchdown.

Not every possession will bear fruit—or points—and Virginia Tech must know when to settle for field position.

I'm looking for ball-carriers to keep the football safe and Thomas to make wise decisions.

Stay Confident in David Wilson

Running back David Wilson was sensational during the regular season, even against the Clemson Tigers in October.

He didn't accumulate his usual carries in the first half as a result of being briefly sidelined. Long runs didn't come easy, either.

However, Virginia Tech must trust their run-first game plan. Wilson will find running lanes.

Double-Up on Clemson's Sammy Watkins

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been a popular target for Clemson's Tajh Boyd.

Jayron Hosley and the Virginia Tech secondary have made it a priority to get behind him, at times stopping him before the first-down marker.

Regardless, breaking up these passes would be ideal. If that means bringing help, so be it.

The Hokies cannot give Watkins room to run.

Put More Pressure on Tajh Boyd

Virginia Tech teams under head coach Frank Beamer have traditionally been armed with terrific defenses. This 2011 edition is no exception.

Beamer's front seven has handled Clemson's offense well through two quarters.

Opposing quarterback Tajh Boyd is regularly waiting too long to deliver the football, so the Hokies should dial up the pressure.

If they chase him out of the pocket, good things will happen.