Following a 20-16 win over Maine, Boston College football (2-1) will have a much tougher test this Saturday as it begins conference play hosting Virginia Tech (3-0) with the hopes of handing the Hokies their first loss of the season. The Eagles, which come in as two-touchdown underdogs, last took down the Hokies on Nov. 5, 2021 in the annual Red Bandana game. Here is an offensive and defensive breakdown of first-year head coach James Franklin’s Hokies.
VT Offense
The Eagles will have their hands full
this Saturday as the Hokies will come into the game with the fourth-best scoring offense in the country, averaging 50.7 points per game. Although their first two games were against mid-major programs, the Hokies looked sharp against Maryland last week with Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer picking apart the Terrapins defense, going for 314 yards and two touchdowns on 80% passing to help secure a 35-26 win in College Park.
The Hokies are not only effective in the air, but also on the ground with running backs Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton both showcasing their playmaking ability in the backfield. This duo, paired with a fierce Hokies offensive line, will be a tall task for the Eagles defensive line.
“Their offense line is very good, Grunkmeyer’s excellent. … Running backs are tough, they do a great job, you’re gonna have to tackle well. … It’s a massive challenge, we’re gonna have to show up ready to play,” BC head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters Tuesday.
BC, six interceptions and eight sacks through three games this season, aims to continue to put pressure on the quarterback and log more takeaways to set up its offense. O’Brien lauded the efforts of his defense, but noted again that VT will be a major challenge across the board.
VT Defense
With Virginia Tech’s defense allowing an 86% red zone defensive success rate thus far this season, BC, which has just a 55% red zone offensive success rate, will have an opportunity to redeem some of its overthrows and running miscues it made in the red area last week.
With BC’s defense bailing out the offense thus far, O’Brien emphasized the importance of being able to connect for touchdowns in those short yardage situations.
Going up against Virginia Tech’s rushing defense, which only allows 61 yards per game, will again pose a challenge for the Eagles’ backfield. BC had a field day running the ball this past Saturday against Maine, logging 186 rushing yards and will look to use this momentum to move the offense down the field.
With a potential nor’easter coming to Massachusetts this weekend, BC will likely have to run the ball more, but will have an optimistic approach to the setting heading into the game, given their experience playing in inclement weather.
“We embrace that, we’re gonna play in any type of weather, whatever it is,”O’Brien said.
