The Hokies Head To Boston College To Battle The Eagles (11-8-23)
By: Joey Raymond
Headline Photo Credit: Virginia Tech Athletics
On the Road to Chestnut Hill
After getting hammered in Louisville, the Hokies get to once again travel, this time up to Chestnut Hill, to face the Boston College Eagles. This time, they’ll kick it off bright and early for a noon kick. Boston College is a team on the rise. They are 6-3 on the year after becoming bowl eligible last week. The Hokies are really in for a challenge this week, especially considering their recent struggles in Boston. The Hokies have really struggled when traveling up to Chestnut Hill, not being able to gather a win since 2017.
What Happened Last Week?
Let’s start with the Hokies who are back in Blacksburg licking their wounds after getting stomped by the Cardinals. The Hokies would go on to lose 34-3. It was really obvious early on that Virginia Tech was not on the same level as the Cardinals. After limiting the big plays in the last month, the Hokies’ defense allowed too many of them against the Cardinals. Especially on the ground, as the Hokies would allow 231 yards total in the ground game. The Hokies did themselves no favors on offense, especially in the first half by committing penalties and allowing sacks, which ended with the Hokies having to punt it away too many times. All in all, we saw the Cardinals dominate in every phase of the game.
As for Boston College, they played a seriously beat up Syracuse Orange team. The major storyline heading into the matchup was the unexpected absence of Garret Shrader, who was ruled out during warmups with an injury. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson started for the Orange, but it was a massive blow to an already-struggling Orange offense. Syracuse essentially abandoned throwing the ball, putting a knife in the Syracuse passing attack. Boston College was able to exploit this, holding the Orange to only 37 yards passing. The Orange would run for 209 yards, but ultimately the Eagles defense would only allow a single touchdown and a field goal. This gave Boston College a chance to win, which they would 17-10.
What To Watch For:
I think for starters this is a good game for the Hokies to test their resolve. The Hokies got manhandled last week. Virginia Tech still has not won a game on the road this year. The biggest question that I have is can this coaching staff get this team composed enough to win in a place where the Hokies have had continuous struggles? Boston College seems like a team that could be more at the Hokies level comparatively to teams like Florida State and Louisville. If the Hokies truly want to improve enough to head to a bowl game I think this is a big mountain that they have to climb. Just about every team in the NCAA can win at home, the question is can you do it on the road? Teams don’t get to host bowl games, so it’s important to prove that you can win while traveling.
Another thing to watch in this game is defense. Both of these coaching staffs and players pride themselves on their defense. Elijah Jones of Boston College continued his good season by collecting two picks last game. Overall, the Eagles would get 4 total interceptions against Syracuse. Antwon Powell-Ryland of Virginia Tech has been a sack machine this year. Truly the entire Hokies defense has been sack machines, being one of the best teams in the country at pressuring and getting to the quarterback. It’ll truly be a battle of who’s defense can frustrate the others offense more?
Our Prediction:
Boston College their defensive identity is to ball hawk. However, They did a good job of stopping the run against Syracuse. Now though, They’ll have to face the smoke in mirrors offense that is the Hokies. Truly I believe this to be a fifty-fifty match up. What I mean by that is that these two teams are so equal that either of them could win this game. With that being said, I do believe this Virginia Tech offense can put some drives together against this defense. This Eagles defense’s built to stop the ball in the air, not on the ground. I think the hokies do too much in the run game and are going to pull out a really tough win in Chestnut Hill.
