Virginia Tech vs. Boston College Preview

It’s here. Other than a to-be-expected loss in the home of the nation’s 2^nd ranked squad, both Virginia Tech and Boston College have survived every hurdle leading to their October 25^th battle in Blacksburg. Both teams are relatively healthy. Both teams have 12 days to prepare. BC is 7-0; VT is 6-1. Let’s get it on.

Boston College (#3; 7-0, 3-0 ACC)

Offense: From the Old News file, BC’s offense is led by Matt Ryan, a probable first round NFL draft choice and an outside candidate to earn a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist. Ryan is off to a great start this year, with 192 completions of 304 attempts for 2148 yards, and 17 scores to just 6 picks. Ryan is a big-body, strong-arm thrower, at 6’5, 218 lbs., he already reminds some scouts of the Patriots’ Tom Brady. Ryan’s biggest improvement since last year is cutting down on the interceptions. Last year, Ryan threw 15 TDs to 10 picks. He’s being more careful with the ball this year, and BC’s offense has become more efficient, accordingly.

Lost a bit in all the joyous hubbub over Ryan is the improvement of Andre Callender. The senior back has been able to handle a great load this year; his 128 rushes for 627 yards are pretty close to last year’s full season totals of 146 rushes for 633 yards. Callender has also found the end zone 8 times, compared to last year’s 3, and already has more catches and receiving yards than he did all of last season. Senior L.V. Whitworth has taken a smaller role in the offense with Callender’s development. Whitworth is on pace for just 483 yards this season. But after three straight years of between 140 and 190 carries with a yards per carry of 4.4, 4.3 and 4.5, its clear that Whitworth is a stable back that can be relied on in crunch time.

The throwing game is not only difficult to defend because of Ryan’s accuracy, but because there are several targets with an ability to step up and catch balls. Five Eagles ar snagging 3.4 balls or more per game, and all of the above (Rich Gunnell, Brandon Robinson, Kevin Challenger, Callender and Ryan Purvis) are among the ACC’s top 15 ball catchers. That’s distribution and dominance. With all the passing, it’s pretty amazing that the offensive line is 9^th nationally in sacks allowed. The BC big bodies are giving up just .86 sacks a game, and only Oklahoma and Minnesota above them could really be called passing teams.

Defense: The BC D is a ball hawking unit with experience in every unit that will feast on any mistakes by either Tyrod Taylor or Sean Glennon. BC is 4^th in the nation in turnover margin, at +1.57 per game, and with the efficiency of Ryan & Co., it will absolutely paramount that VA Tech not turn the ball over, especially inside their own 50. Turnovers will turn in to points.

The defensive effort all starts up front, where the Eagles have three very good linebackers that can make plays in coverage and in the backfield. Sophomore Alex Albright is having a break out year in his first season of extended duty. Albright’s tackle totals are meager, at just 19, but he has 6 sacks in the last four games. Senior Jolonn Dunbar has 53 tackles, 4 TFL and an INT return for touchdown on the year. Dunbar has 195 career tackles in the BC scheme, and can deliver a big hit. Sophomore Mark Herzlich is delivering on the promise he showed last year as a freshman; Herzlich has 43 tackles, 6 TFL and a pick this year.

BC’s pass D numbers are pretty bad on paper, but the main reason the pass defense is giving up a lot of yards is because the Eagles have been ahead basically start to finish all year, and teams have been throwing constantly. You can see this at work in BC’s 105^th rated pass D; however, if you look at pass efficiency D, the Eagles are 16^th nationally, 3^rd in the ACC. Senior DB Jamie Silva is 3^rd in the nation in INT. Silva’s picked five balls this year, but that’s 2 against NC State and 3 against Bowling Green. The scary thing with Silva is that he can really run with the ball if he gets his hands on it. Silva’s returned his 5 picks for 107 yards, and has 55 tackles to go with his interceptions.

Special Teams: BC Kicker Steve Aponavicius has been pretty accurate on his career, with 15 of 20 field goals and 51 of 55 extra points. Aponavicius kicked in college for the first time against the Hokies last year, so VT fans should remember him. The punting game is solid hands, with Johnny Ayers averaging 41 yards a kick.

Prediction: I’d love to pick the Hokies here, especially with Frank Beamer and the staff sure to make the most of 12 preparation days. However, BC just looks too good on both sides of the ball. The #1 rush defense in the country will dare the Hokies to throw, and what results this year indicate they’ll be able to do it well enough to win the game? VT leads at half, BC pulls ahead in the third and puts it away with a late Ryan-led drive. Boston College 21, Virginia Tech 16.