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By: @kburke90 on

Who: #6/4 Virginia Tech Hokies (10-1, 6-1 ACC) vs #24/25 Virginia Cavaliers (8-3, 5-2 ACC)

Time: 3:36 PM

TV Coverage: ABC/ESPN2 (Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore, Lisa Salters)

Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA (61,500 – Grass)

Series History: Virginia Tech leads 50-37-5

  • Last Meeting (2010): Virginia Tech 37, Virginia 7
  • The Hokies have won seven consecutive meetings with UVA, winning by an average score of 32-11.
  • Tech has won 11 of the last 12 meetings, with the lone loss being a 35-21 defeat at UVA in 2003.
  • The Hokies hold a 6-2 advantage when both teams are ranked. However, this is just the third time since 1999 that UVA has been ranked.

Injury Report

  • OL David Wang – Out (Foot)
  • Alonzo Tweedy and C Andrew Miller – Expected to Play

The Opponent: There’s really not much to be said about this game that hasn’t already been said. Plain and simple, this is for all the marbles. A Tech win equals another ACC Championship berth and the potential for an Orange Bowl appearance. A Tech loss probably sends Tech to either Atlanta or Orlando and sends UVA to the ACC Championship in Mike London’s second year. UVA has closed the gap in London’s tenure and this is their test to truly see how close they are to Virginia Tech.

  • On Offense: The key to UVA’s turnaround has been their success on offense. Ever since Michael Rocco (6-3, 225, SO) was named the full-time starter after the NC State game, the Cavs have taken off. UVA is 4-0 with Rocco being the full-time signal caller, and the sophomore has seven touchdowns to just one interception against Miami, Maryland, Duke, and Florida State.

    Now, Rocco’s play has been great, but the improvement of UVA’s offensive line has been the most staggering improvement. The ‘Hoos running game has benefitted from an experienced and athletic offensive line. At right tackle, Morgan Moses (6-6, 335, SO) has the best NFL potential and is one of the youngest of the group. As a unit, they’ve allowed just six sacks in ACC play this year.

    As a result of the experience up front, the UVA running game has prospered. Perry Jones (5-8, 185, JR), Kevin Parks (5-8, 195, r-FR), and Clifton Richardson (6-0, 215, FR) all contribute to the ‘Hoos running attack. Jones leads the team with 870 yards as the veteran leader of the group, while Parks provides a burst off the bench with eight touchdowns to lead the squad. Richardson has about half as many carries as the other two, but still averages around five yards per carry. Jones and Parks are shifty backs that UVA will also use in the passing game. Jones is the second-leading receiver on the squad with 416 yards and three touchdowns.

    UVA will attempt to establish the run in hopes of creating play action. In the passing game, Kris Burd (6-1, 200, SR) is the Cavs’ biggest threat. Burd is the far and away statistical leader with 710 yards, but has just one touchdown. Tim Smith (6-0, 185, SO) starts at the other receiver spot and has 31 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns. UVA will use its tight ends sparingly, as they’re used more in run protection.

  • On Defense: The ‘Hoos bring a good amount of size and experience that’s been relatively average statistically in the ACC. The calling card for this unit has been stopping opponents on third down and keeping them out of the end zone in the red zone. UVA holds opponents to 32% conversion rate on third downs, second in the conference to Tech. Their red zone stats may be more impressive, as opponents score only 69% of the time, the best rate in the ACC.

    Up front, the Cavs’ D-line is led by end Cam Johnson (6-4, 270, SR). He doesn’t have a lot of tackles (25), but 10.5 of them have come for loss. Of those, 4 have been sacks. Johnson loves playing in the backfield and teams up with Jake Snyder (6-4, 275, SO) to provide a formidable combo. Matt Conrath (6-7, 280, SR) starts at defensive tackle and ranks third on the team with 61 tackles, 10 of which are for loss. Another senior, Nick Jenkins (6-3, 275, SR) rounds out the starting lineup. A key reserve, Bill Schautz, was lost late in the FSU game due to a broken leg. He’s been regarded as one of UVA’s best pass rushers despite not starting.

    The linebacker unit is full of talent and is one of the best in space. Steve Greer (6-2, 225, JR) leads the team in tackles with 94 from his middle linebacker position and also has six for loss and two sacks. LaRoy Reynolds (6-2, 230, JR) is the weakside linebacker and has seven tackles for loss and 74 overall. Ausar Walcott (6-4, 240, JR) and Aaron Taliaferro (6-2, 230, SR) share time at the strongside position and have combined for 64 tackles and seven for loss.

    In the secondary, Chase Minnifield (6-0, 185, SR) is the defensive leader at cornerback. He’s one of the better cornerbacks in the ACC and has three interceptions to his credit. Expect a physical matchup with him and Jarrett Boykin as the game progresses. At the other corner, Demetrious Nicholson (5-11, 165, FR) presents a matchup problem for the Cavs against the Hokies’ experienced receiving corps. Expect Tech to target the young Nicholson early and often. At safety, Corey Mosley (5-10, 200, SR) and Rodney McLeod (5-11, 180, SR) like to be active in the run game, which makes the play action game effective if the running game gets going.

Players to Watch:

  • Virginia Tech
    • QB #3 Logan Thomas
      • Last Week vs North Carolina: 19/32, 195 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 13 carries, 32 yards, TD
      • This Season: 180/293 (60.4%), 2,338 yards, 16 TD, 7 INT; 118 carries, 387 yards, 9 TD
    • FS #1 Antone Exum
      • Last Week vs North Carolina: 12 tackles, 5 solo, 1 forced fumble
      • Last Year vs Virginia: 2 tackles, 2 solo, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup
      • This Season:65 tackles, 30 solo, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 10 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
  • Virginia
    • QB #16 Michael Rocco
      • Last Week @ Florida State: 22/31, 238 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
      • This Season: 180/298 (60.4%), 2,148 yards, 11 TD, 9 INT
    • CB #13 Chase Minnifield
      • Last Week @ Florida State: 5 tackles, 5 solo, 1 for loss
      • Last Year @ Virginia Tech: 3 tackles, 2 solo
      • This Season: 47 tackles, 31 solo, 6.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, 1 blocked kick

Matchups to Watch:

  • UVA Power Running Attack vs Virginia Tech Defensive Line
  • Virginia Tech Wide Receivers vs UVA Secondary
  • Logan Thomas vs Michael Rocco
  • Virginia Tech Offensive Line vs UVA Defensive Line
  • Third Down Conversion Rates
  • Red Zone Success Percentage

Keys to Victory:

  • Virginia Tech
    • Create the Balance on Offense
      • Especially in a rivalry game, Tech can’t rely on one person to win the game. Both Logan Thomas and David Wilson need to have good games for Tech.
    • Stop the Run, Eliminate Play Action
      • Just like UNC last week, the ‘Hoos are going to try and run the ball down Tech’s throat. Stopping that will make things a lot easier for Tech.
  • Virginia
    • Establish Your Offense
      • UVA runs the ball, and as much as they won’t want to admit, they don’t want to put a rivalry game in the hands of a first-year starter. Working Rocco into the game a little bit at a time could be a successful strategy for the ‘Hoos.
    • Make The Game Ugly
      • The Cavs won last week at FSU by shortening the game and really making it unwatchable. When they needed to, they got the big plays and were in the game because their defense held their ground and made the opposing offense play ugly.

Projected Score: Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 14

Projected Uniform: White helmet, White jersey, White pants