Oct 11, 2006, 16:00 GMT
- Two teams strapping on the helmets for the first time this month meet up in Chestnut Hill this Thursday, as the 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies battle the Boston College Eagles from Alumni Stadium. The Hokies opened the 2006 season with four straight wins, but the wheels fell off the cart in week five, as the team was beaten at home by a tough Georgia Tech squad (38-27). The Hokies will attempt to bounce back in this contest, but winning in Chestnut Hill will not come easy. Tom O'Brien has another solid BC team this year. The Eagles have posted four wins in their first five games and enter this contest after shutting out Maine (22-0) back on September 30th. Despite sitting idle this past weekend, BC fell out of the top-25. This is the 13th all-time meeting between these two rivals. The Hokies hold a 9-3 advantage all-time, including a 30-10 win last year in Blacksburg.
The Hokies are averaging a respectable 33.0 ppg, but that average is a bit deceiving. There isn't a whole lot of explosive playmakers on this side of the football for VaTech. Still, the unit has been efficient at times, averaging 347.6 yards of total offense this year, with 103.4 yards coming on the ground and 244.2 yards passing. Quarterback Sean Glennon has completed 57.4 percent of his passes, for 1,116 yards with seven TDs and three interceptions. It certainly doesn't help that the team has lost leading receiver David Clowney (18 receptions, for 240 yards) for a few weeks following a recent appendectomy. In Clowney's absence, Josh Hyman and Eddie Royal will need to step up downfield. With the passing game in a bit of limbo right now, tailback Brandon Ore will be needed more than ever. The sophomore RB leads the team in rushing (458), averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He has scored seven of the team's 10 rushing scores to date.
The loss to Georgia Tech was an aberration for the Virginia Tech defense, considering the stats still look real good. The team is limiting foes to a mere 12.2 ppg in 2006. The pass defense has been some of the best in the college ranks, with the team yielding a mere 140.2 ypg. This is a defensive unit that has long thrived on big plays and 2006 is no different. The Hokies have amassed 13 takeaways thus far, including 10 interceptions. In addition, the team has 36 TFLs and 15 sacks. Linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall pace this unit. Adibi leads the team in tackles (41), with 3.0 TFLs, one sack, one INT and one forced fumble. Hall is right behind (38 tackles), with 3.0 TFLs and one sack. Senior safety Aaron Rouse (24 tackles) leads the way in the secondary, although sophomore corner Victor Harris leads the team in picks with three.
The Eagles are moving the football with decent balance. The team is averaging just over 375 yards per game, with nearly 130 coming on the ground and almost 250 through the air. Quarterback Matt Ryan has distinguished himself as one of the better signal-callers in the ACC this year. He has completed just over 60 percent of his passes in 2006, for 1,225 yards, with seven TDs and three INTs. He has spread the ball around this year, with five different pass catchers hauling in double-figure catches thus far. The best of the bunch have been Kevin Challenger (21 receptions, for 236 yards and two TDs) and Tony Gonzalez (19 receptions, for 215 yards and four TDs). The backfield has a two-headed monster in RBs L.V. Whitworth (4.5 ypc) and Andre Callender (4.8 ypc).
The Eagles put forth their best defensive effort last time out, shutting out an overmatched Maine team. On the season, the numbers haven't been quite as good. The team has been decent against the run (112.6 ypg), but has been victimized by the pass (257.8 ypg). With 38 TFLs, 11 sacks and 13 forced turnovers, this is a unit that also thrives on big plays. Linebacker Jolonn Dunbar is the team's top tackler with 39 tackles. Other playmakers of note include veteran safety Jamie Silva (28 tackles, team-high 5.0 TFLs, one INT) and defensive ends Nick Larkin (19 tackles, 4.0 TFLs) and Austin Giles (18 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, team-high 2.5 sacks).
After posting wins over a bunch of creampuffs to start the season, the loss to Georgia Tech may have been a better indicator of where Virginia Tech really stands in the conference. Boston College is certainly a tough team to beat, especially at home.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Boston College 27, Virginia Tech 20
© 2006 The Sports Network
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