Virginia Tech OC Scot Loeffler lauds Ohio State's Talent, but DT Corey Marshall is confident as ever

Even Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, a self-described football junkie, won't allow himself to catch any of the college football games this weekend. Not with No. 1 Ohio State coming to town on Monday.

"We're playing the No. 1 team in America with 16 or 17, probably, first or second round (draft) grade guys," said Loeffler. "I've seen some good teams on tape, but this (team), there's a reason that they're unanimous No. 1."

But while senior defensive tackle Corey Marshall certainly respects the talent the Buckeyes have, he made it abundantly clear that the Hokies won't be ceding one inch on Labor Day.

"Our mindset's always the same," said Marshall. "We're dogs, through and through. Nothing changes because of the opponent. We attack because they're across the field from us. This isn't a special game. This isn't something we're going to put on a pedestal. When we step on that field, they bleed like we bleed and we're gonna show the world."

And while some national media pundits may suggest that the Hokies' triumph last year was due largely to the unique defensive scheme employed by Bud Foster, Marshall believes that the victory was more than just the bear defense.

"Scheme-wise, it's definitely not going to be a surprise, but anybody that watched film of that football game, there was no magic formula we were doing," said Marshall. "We executed to a lethal level and it showed in the score."

If the Hokies are to pull off a second victory over the Buckeyes, Loeffler knows they'll need to execute at that same lethal level.

"There's no room for error on this one," said Loeffler. "Everything that you do against a great defense is difficult. Getting five yards is hard. And four yards is hard. So you've got to take advantage of every single opportunity you have. They'll be four to five times in this game for an opportunity to make a big play and you've got to make them because they don't come very often."

One of those big play opportunities may arise for Bucky Hodges, the 6'7" sophomore tight end that gave the Hokies a 28-21 lead in Columbus last year with a 10-yard touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter. But while Hodges may be listed as a tight end, he'll line up all across the field on Labor Day.

"I consider myself a football player," said Hodges. "Whatever Coach wants me to do, I'll go out there and do it. I'm dynamic."

But if Hodges grabs another touchdown against the Buckeyes, don't expect a second 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration to follow.

"I'd be running for days," Hodges joked. "He (Coach Beamer) had me running 110's and that's not fun to run during the season."

After Hodges, starting quarterback Michael Brewer will look to Isaiah Ford, Cam Phillips and Ryan Malleck for production on the outside. Questions remain about who will step up as the Hokies' third receiver, and those likely won't be answered until game time on Labor Day.

"We've got a plan at our wideout position and we're going to put the guys on the field that we trust. Period. If it's a backup wide receiver, great. If it's a running back, great. If it's another tight end, great," said Loeffler. "We're going to walk into this game, and you have to walk into this game, with the guys that you completely 100% trust are going to give you a chance to win."

Backup tight end Kalvin Cline could be a potential option, but he was notably absent from the depth chart provided by Virginia Tech on Monday. Hodges admitted that Cline has been banged up during camp, but claimed he looked good at practice on Tuesday.

"He was a little banged up, I think, but he's back full-go right now," said Hodges. "He was out there today, flying around. He made like a crazy one-handed catch. He's out there flying around."

Loeffler, though, seems to want to watch Cline practice a few more times before deciding whether or not to play him against Ohio State.

"I'm not sure where Cline is at right now," said Loeffler. "I'll be able to get back to you later in the week."

Loeffler also continuously stressed the importance of matching up with the Buckeyes physically. And growing up a "Michigan man", Loeffler knows it won't be easy.

"Whenever you're playing an Ohio State team, it's been all the years that I can ever remember, it's an extremely, extremely physical group," said Loeffler. "They always have been, they always will be. They pride themselves on how physical they play."

While the Hokies emerged from last year's matchup with a win, Loeffler admitted that the physical toll of the game wore on his young team throughout the season.

"I've said this many times, our team felt, even though it was a great win and all that other stuff, our team took a beating in that game," said Loeffler. "Our young players last year, they got to experience their real first football game. That's a real game."

But with his freshmen now sophomores and his quarterback a year older, Loeffler expects his offense to come in fully prepared.

"We know what we're walking into," said Loeffler. "Our kids are older, they understand it's a very physical unit. There's no surprises."

Additional Quotes

Scot Loeffler

ON OHIO STATE BEING BETTER PREPARED FOR THE HOKIES TEs:

"They're a very adaptable defense. They can make adjustments. They know that we use multiple sets. We use a bunch of sets. So, obviously they're going to prepare for that. That's what they've seen on tape. Good coaches prepare for what they see on tape."

ON LAST YEAR'S GAMES VS. THIS YEAR'S GAME

"All that stuff was last year. That really doesn't matter. The win was great and all that. So, we're really concentrating on what we got to do this year to stay in this game. They did some really good things last year. We did some good things. But again, last year's game was last year. We're playing a totally different team, in my opinion."

ON MICHAEL BREWER IN LAST YEAR'S GAME:

"He did a good job. There was some things that he did that he would like to take back. What you see now is a guy that knows where all the pieces in the puzzle are supposed to be. Cam and Isaiah, Bucky, Malleck, they're guys that are understanding the 'why's' more importantly than just the 'ins and outs' of where I need to be. Understanding why we're trying to call this, where we need to be, the splits, the spacing and the timing. We're going to need all of that. I've seen some good teams on tape, but this (team), there's a reason that they're unanimous No. 1. They've got a great defense. They've got great offense. Great special teams. No secret why they're number one."

ON HOW MANY RUNNING BACKS AN OFFENSE NEEDS:

"After last year's adventure, the more the merrier (laughs). But it's 3 to 4 backs that you'd want to be able to at least dress for the football game."

ON COMPARING OHIO STATE TO PAST GREAT TEAMS:

"If you're not excited and in to playing the number one team in America, then shame on you. This is as good a football team that I think I've ever opened up with. We've opened up with 'Bama here, that was a really, really good football team, also. This kind of reminds me of the Florida group (in 2009), to be honest with you. They are loaded on both sides of the ball. I was a part of that group. They're very talented and they're extremely well-coached."

Bucky Hodges

ON WATCHING NFL FILM:

"With NFL film, we've got a lot of Patriots film. I watch a lot of (Rob) Gronkowski, I like watching (Aaron) Hernandez film, from when he was at Florida...that's most of the NFL film I watch...I just look at little things they're doing. It's just little technique things they're doing, it's fun watching them. They're really dynamic."

Corey Marshall

ON OHIO STATE NOT NAMING A STARTING QB:

"They're both pretty dynamic, but as far what they do, what their alignments (are) or what they're going to run, it's all going to be the same stuff. It's just who they decide to put back there. I know they named J.T. Barrett captain, for whatever that means. So maybe they're leaning that way. But there's film on both of those guys out there that we're going to be studying leading up. There won't be any surprises."

ON THE NATIONAL MEDIA NARRATIVE:

"I think the narrative last year was so much that we didn't have a chance. It's the same narrative again, it's the same story. They were young and inexperienced, but we were breaking in 8 new guys on defense. Not always freshman, but we're going to stick to our guns. We're not going to underestimate them, definitely not. And I know that they're not going to do that this time around."