Virginia Tech doesn't have a game on the last Saturday in October, but don't expect the Hokies to have the day off. Tech hosts Georgia Tech on Thursday night in a crucial ACC matchup.
The Hokies toughest opponents lie ahead in November and it all starts with the Yellow Jackets. Virginia Tech is the only undefeated team in ACC conference play and are at a huge advantage heading in to the final month of the season.
Georgia Tech already has two conference losses and so does North Carolina. Miami is the only team the Hokies play in November that currently has only one conference loss. Basically, Georgia Tech has to win Thursday to have any shot at defending their ACC title, but coming out on top is going to be hard to do.
Both the Hokies and Yellow Jackets have the same amount of time to prepare for the Thursday night matchup. Georgia Tech will come in to Blacksburg with the nation's second leading rushing attack, but the Hokies rank 16th in that category and they can actually throw the ball.
Georgia Tech's passing attack has been pathetic this year, in fact so pathetic that they rank last in the FBS averaging 84 yards per game. That being said, the Yellow Jackets completed only one pass against the Hokies last season and still found a way to win.
But that was last year. The Hokies are far more formiddable on offense in 2010, and Georgia Tech's defense is far less intimidating. You can also add Ryan Williams to the mix who will return at full strength for this matchup.
The Hokies biggest problem in this one will be their defense. Their secondary has struggled at times this year, and their rushing defense has had some gaping holes, which won't work well against the Yellow Jackets triple-option threat.
However, Bud Foster has been preparing for Georgia Tech's rushing attack since the offseason. Foster actually went to the University of Iowa in the offseason to look at film and discuss with coaches about how they stopped the Yellow Jackets triple-option offense, for the most part, in the Orange Bowl.
Even if the Hokies do give up a number of yards on the ground, their offense should make the score unreachable. Tyrod Taylor, Darren Evans and the return of Williams will be too much for the Yellow Jackets to handle. Add to the mix David Wilson and breakout defensive back and punt returner Jayron Hosley and the Hokies will take the sting out of the Yellow Jackets.
Expect to see a lot of offense in this one, opposed to past years, and a decent amount of scoring. Hosley will provide a spark on special teams, and the Hokies will punch the Yellow Jackets defense in the mouth with their own three-headed rushing attack.
Virginia Tech will score early and often, and they will run away and hide in the second half.
Virginia Tech 45, Georgia Tech 31
