Virginia Tech Looks to Avoid a Trap Game at Wake Forest

Well, for the first time since the Western Michigan game, you have to feel pretty good about the Hokies' chances Saturday. Wake Forest has been in perpetual rebuilding mode since a surprising run to the Orange Bowl under former head coach Jim Grobe. Wake Forest is 2-7, with their only wins coming against Gardner-Webb and Army. Despite the Tech coaching staff's assertion that Wake is dangerous, it is easy to look ahead to the Commonwealth Cup matchup with Virginia next Friday.

However, Wake does present some challenges. The bad offensive numbers belie a talented young quarterback, and overconfidence could cause a letdown for a defense that looked better against Duke, but still gave up some big plays. The Hokies have struggled with hot reads and blitz protection on offense all season, and Wake Forest's quick, blitzing defense backed by two outstanding cornerbacks are a matchup nightmare. Much like the Hokies' greatest strength matched up perfectly with Ohio State's biggest weakness, the Deacons have a similar matchup advantage against a Hokies pass blocking scheme that has had difficulty identifying blitzes all season.

Great Design and Pursuit on Defense

The Hokies offense cannot overlook Wake Forest's strong defensive unit. Using a four-man defensive front and a ton of well-designed blitzes, the Deacons held Florida State without a touchdown until a minute left in the first half of their game. They are a quick group that runs to the football and covers really well, especially senior corners Kevin Johnson (No. 9) and Merrill Noel, Jr (No. 7).

Perhaps most impressive is how defensive coordinator Mike Elko designs their blitz schemes. Eight members of the Deacon's defense has at least 4.5 tackles for a loss and 10 players have sacks, but more importantly, Elko designs those blitzes to get the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly and throw into areas where the Deacons have numerical and leverage advantages. Here is a great example against last season's Heisman winner Jameis Winston.

Wake has forced the Seminoles into a third-and-10. Elko sends the left inside linebacker on a blitz angling to the sideline. The running back goes with the linebacker, which opens up a lane for the safety to delay and then shoot through the gap.

Winston has a receiver breaking open under off man coverage right at the sticks (to the right side of screen). Winston wants to throw behind the blitz, but can't due to the pressure in his face. So, Winston has to slide to his left, where Wake has designed their defense to bracket the FSU tight end on an out route. Elko knows that unless the Seminoles pick up the blitz, Winston will look to the quick check-down route, and has that route doubled. They force a tip, and Noel gets the easy interception.

I was also very impressed with active linebacker 6-1, 245 pound junior Brandon Chubb (No. 48). Chubb has a big stout frame similar to Stephen Daniels from Boston College (who had a terrific game against the Hokies). He can jam things up inside at the point of attack, run sideline-to-sideline and make sure tackles in the screen and short passing game.

On this play, Elko brings Johnson on a corner blitz. Chubb has to show blitz, and then bust his him to cover the short right flat. Winston correctly identifies the blitz and throws behind it, but Chubb gets there and makes a sure tackle for no gain.

Don't Give a Bad Offense Room to Breathe

It's hard to really evaluate what Wake does on offense because they struggle in so many aspects of the game. As bad as the Hokies rushing attack has been, Marshawn Williams, by himself, has rushed for more yards than Wake Forest has as a team this season. But, they won't abandon the running game. Against Clemson, the Demon Deacons ran the football 34 times, but netted only 7 yards (.2 yards per carry). They don't get push up front, and they don't have the speed to get to the edge. Despite the lack of success, offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero will continue to run to try to keep some heat off their talented freshman quarterback John Wolford. Wake's allowed 37 sacks this season. Their hope is that the defense can keep the game close and perhaps they can hit a big pass or bust a big run.

Unfortunately for Deacon fans, pretty much every variety of run play—whether a simple draw, inside zone read or a jet sweep—gets jammed up because their offensive line gets little to no push. Some attempts are pretty woeful. After watching two games worth of film, this play sums up the Wake Forest running game.

From the handoff, to the pulling lineman and H-Back, everything here looks tentative and slow. Wake will attempt to run the football, but solid fundamental play should shut them down.

True freshman quarterback John Wolford (6-1, 205) is the key to the Wake Forest offense. He's taken a beating this season, but he demonstrates remarkable resiliency and competitiveness on film. Wolford has a strong arm, and has some mobility in the pocket. Wolford has completed just 57.5% of his passes, and while he has thrown 13 interceptions against nine touchdowns, he has not thrown an interception since the Boston College game. His receivers struggled to get separation on film, but Wolford does utilize the screen game well and his athleticism and toughness in the pocket allow them to get loose from coverage on occasion.

Cam Serigne, a 6'3, 235lb redshirt freshman tight end from Briar Woods in Loudon County, is tied with graduate student E.J. Scott for the team lead with 42 catches. Serigne has been Wolford's favorite receiver over the last couple of game, and it is easy to see why when you watch him get mugged on his veer release and still catches this touchdown against Clemson.

Wake is coached by first year man Dave Clawson, and he and his staff from Bowling Green are trying to re-establish a winning culture in Winston-Salem. Given how overmatched the Deacons have looked for long stretches, especially when on offense, their compete-level is impressive. Wake Forest has been competitive in all but three games, and if the Hokies let the Deacons stick around, the staff will use trick plays to try and manufacture big plays.

Win the Damn Game

Bowl eligibility is critically important for the Hokies to continue the development of many potentially great young players. The extra three weeks of practice gives the staff a head start on the preparation for next season, and gives more time to evaluate redshirt and scout team guys who could possibly contribute. Without those practices, it is much more difficult to prepare next season's contributors.

Coach Loeffler's offense seemed a little more complex against Duke after a couple of weeks of vanilla football eliminated some penalties, but did little to move the football. Wake's defense presents a challenge and a good barometer to see how they will perform against a more attacking-style defense. Jon Tenuta's more talented, hyper-aggressive defense comes to Blacksburg next Friday. Coach Foster's defense has to play disciplined, but this is a good opportunity to build some confidence against a unit that doesn't have the talent to threaten down the field. With a rivalry game on the horizon, the defense needs to continue to build on last week's improvement. Don't expect a blowout on Saturday, but a Hokie team with a good mindset should pick up another win on the eve of the showdown with Virginia.