Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Tech Hokies Preview
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So here we are at the peak of the season and a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Virginia Tech Hokies will help decide whether one of those teams holds onto the Coastal Division lead and cements their place in the ACC Championship game. It is just that this year it is Duke trying to do this and not the Hokies. Also Duke has the benefit of playing at home and not trying to do this at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.
Date: November 15
Time: 12:00 PM
TV: ESPNU
Venue: Wallace Wade Stadium
Last Time: 2013
Duke defeated the Hokies to continue its quest for the Coastal Division last year. In good Hokie football tradition, Duke was forced to out-Beamer the practioners of Beamerball by picking off quarterback Logan Thomas four times during the game. The Hokies responded with four picks of Anthony Boone and the combined quarterback rating of both teams was 38.6. Duke did their scoring in the first three quarters and then rode the defense to survive 13-10.
Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer reacts in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Virginia Tech Hokies (4-5)
The Hokies have been the odd man out in the coastal division bloodbath. They have only a victory over North Carolina to show for their conference record. They did most of their dirty work in the non-conference, with their most victory over Ohio State. That one win has managed to keep the Hokies in the conversation deep into the year.
Here is a paraphrased version of what I said about the Hokies earlier this year:
This year has not quite gone to plan. The Hokies have an offense with a lot of new pieces, and they have been hurt by turnovers from their offense. However, some of these pieces are really good. One only has to look at freshman wideout Isaiah Ford, who is something like a track star.
Nov 1, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Michael Brewer (12) looks to pass in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Attacking the Hokie offense will probably mean bringing pressure to Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer from the left side of the defense against the younger linemen on the right side. Coach Frank Beamer prefers a conservative power running attack when he can get it, so don’t be surprised if the Hokies simply try to pound the 4-2-5 defense of the Devils.
Hokie running back injuries will take some of Beamer’s preferred attack out of play. This should not be a concern to Michael Brewer, who came from a pass heavy offense at Texas Tech. The Devils secondary has hung tough enough, but Pittsburgh managed to find ways to crack it for big plays down the field.
Ultimately I think this will be a closer game than the records suggest, and Duke would be wise not to sleep walk into this one. The Hokies may lack experience on offense, but they are not short of talent.