Virginia Tech Football: Virginia Q&A Preview

Just six days ago in South Bend, the Hokies came storming back from a 17-0 deficit to hand Notre Dame yet another loss in their forgettable 2016 season. It was a historic victory, Tech's first triumph on the hallowed grounds of Notre Dame Stadium. But when it's all said and done, Justin Fuente's eighth win didn't mean all that much.

That changes this week. 2-9 Virginia comes limping into Blacksburg on Saturday, desperate to return the Commonwealth Cup to Charlottesville for the first time since 2003. Meanwhile, the Hokies sit atop the Coastal Division, still just one victory shy of a date with fourth-ranked Clemson in next weekend's ACC Championship game. To get the Cavaliers' perspective ahead of this annual post-Thanksgiving clash, I spoke to Caroline Darney of Streaking the Lawn.

JC: Kurt Benkert started the first ten games of 2016 at quarterback for the Hoos, but Matt Johns has since taken hold of the starting position as turnovers became an issue for Benkert down the stretch. Johns proceeded to toss three picks in Virginia's 31-17 loss to Georgia Tech, leaving Bronco Mendenhall in a bit of a pickle under center. Where does Virginia go from here? Which signal-caller do you see giving the Hoos the best shot against the Hokies?

CD: Matt Johns is going to start this weekend, and I think that's the best bet. He's a senior playing in his last game, with one last shot to beat a rival (whether or not we've lived up to our end of the bargain of being 'rivals' is another story). Really, it is going to be a crap shoot under center if the offensive line can't give Benkert or Johns the time to make a play. I like Benkert a lot, and this will be his team next year, but I'm all for giving Johns this shot in his finale. He's been the epitome of teammate and class throughout his time in Charlottesville, so it's nice to see him with this opportunity.

JC: Between starting the season 2-9 and making headlines off the field with severe hazing allegations, it's probably fair to say the Bronco Mendenhall era at Virginia has gotten off to a rocky start. I'm curious as to the general mood in Charlottesville right now: Are fans still confident in the hire, or has this season raised concern over whether Mendenhall is the right man for the job?

CD: The mood is Charlottesville is "it's basketball season". I am still #teamMendenhall. I firmly believe that with the right pieces, he can establish a winning culture at UVA. The problem is the fanbase is - understandably - frustrated about an ongoing decade of underperformance. Mediocrity would be too kind for what Virginia fans have seen on the field over the last 12+ years (minus a season here or there). In order to really give Mendenhall a chance, I think three years is a good amount of time. Waiting will be painful, but Coach Bennett didn't start winning right away...creating a culture that results in continual success takes time.

JC: Versatile tailback Taquan Mizzell has clearly been the Hoos most dangerous offensive weapon this season, but what other skill players should Hokies fans be watching out for Saturday afternoon? And perhaps more importantly, how do you see the Hoos holding up along the offensive line against an aggressive and blitz-happy Bud Foster defense?

CD: Doni Dowling is a receiver to watch out for. He has a good connection with Johns and had nine receptions for 68 yards last week against Georgia Tech. He's only 6-1, so not a matchup nightmare, but he's averaging over 12 yards per completion and has been solid the past couple weeks. The other guy that I'm a big fan of is Olamide Zaccheaus. He's got good hands out of the backfield and has 535 yards and six receiving touchdowns on the season.

Woof. It could be a long day for the offensive line (and by extension, Matt Johns) with Bud's blitzing. On the season, Virginia has given up 35 sacks (for 240 yards lost). If they want to have a chance in Blacksburg they have to give the QB some protection, or at least enough time to dump to guys like Smoke and Zaccheaus and let them try to make moves.

JC: The Hoos have given up 30-plus points in five of their last six, a tough figure to overcome for a struggling football team. Where have the major issues surfaced for Nick Howell's defense? Do the Cavaliers have the horses outside to match up man-to-man with dynamic athletes like Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges?

CD: I wish we had actual horses. Just kidding, they're all stuck on treadmills at Virginia Tech.

As a whole, the defense's major struggle is missing the key guys they need in the right positions. The defense has definitely gotten better from an execution standpoint, but the 3-4 defense that Mendenhall wants to run needs players more suited to that scheme that we just don't have right now. Micah Kiser is the conference leader in tackles with 89 (followed by Quin Blanding in second with 86), so there are talented players, it just isn't forming the whole picture yet. Against Georgia Tech, they honestly were either forcing the Jackets to go three-and-out, or giving up a 75 yard touchdown. No in between. The secondary has been ravaged by injury, meaning young guys like Bryce Hall and Juan Thornhill have had to step up. It's going to take a whole team defensive effort to slow the Hokies.

JC: What would a victory over the Hokies on Saturday mean for this Virginia football program?

CD: I'm going to date myself here, but the last UVA win over Virginia Tech was when I was a first year. I was there, losing my mind as Heath Miller converted fake field goals and told myself that football was awesome and beating your rivals was something normal. Now, here we are. I think I can speak for both sides when I say this matchup has become boring. It's better for the commonwealth when this game is competitive, not to mention more fun for everyone. It's so depressing that it has been so long.

So, a win would be huge. For these guys to close out a rough, trying season with a win over y'all while simultaneously keeping you guys out of the ACCCG? Yeah, that would be awesome. This is our bowl game.

JC: Time to put you on the spot: who wins Saturday, and why?

CD: I actually feel like it's going to be close. The Hoos will toy with my emotions for the majority of the game, but a missed field goal will come back to bite us as I think Virginia Tech wins with a score of something like 31-28.