2010 Virginia Tech Football: What to Watch at Boston College

The Team

• This is the first true road game for a lot of players, especially on defense. I'm interested to see how they'll react to unfamiliar surroundings and a hostile crowd.
• With Ryan Williams out, look to see how the offensive line rallies around David Wilson, Darren Evans and Tyrod Taylor. I wonder if they feel extra pressure on them now that Williams is out and will fold or if they'll rise to the occasion like they did in the second half against and admittedly weak ECU defense.

Virginia Tech Offense vs. Boston College Defense

• When you watch the Eagles play defense, they're going to look a lot like how the Hokies play defense. They play a very similar cover-two scheme to the one used by Bud Foster.
• While the Eagle defensive line isn't nearly as hulking as we saw two years ago with B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, it's still very stout. Defensive end Alex Albright will be a big test for Tech's tackles. If they can't handle Albright, we're going to be in for a long game.
• The Hokies have had a 100-yard rusher in each of their last three meetings against BC, but the last time they traveled to Chestnut Hill it had to be Tyrod Taylor picking up the slack for an offensive line that was still finding its identity. He scrambled for 110 yards that night and I have a feeling he might be required to do the same Saturday.
• With the return of Mark Herzlich to outside linebacker, Luke Kuechly has been shifted to middle linebacker. He's helped make BC's run defense dominant as it gave up less than two yards per carry against Weber State and Kent State.
• The Eagles will probably try to load the box against the Hokies to shut down the run game. If this happens, Tyrod will obviously have to have a big game with his legs, but there are also a few way the Hokies will be able to take advantage of the Eagles defense.
• In BC's cover-two scheme, its cornerbacks, DeLeon Gause and Donnie Fletcher play off the line of scrimmage in soft coverage. The screen passes Tech runs could be effective against the BC secondary, especially with the speedy Dyrell Roberts. Gause and Fletcher aren't extremely physical corners, but can definitely play pass coverage.
• Herzlich, Kuechly and BC's other linebacker, freshman Kevin Pierre-Louis, are all solid against the run. However, Pierre-Louis can be a liability in pass coverage. He plays on the weakside of the field, so look for Tech to try and create mismatches in coverage by motioning David Wilson out of the backfield.
• The keys to the passing game will be finding the holes in BC's cover-two. The middle passing game, something we have not seen the Hokies utilize almost this whole season, could be a big weapon for the Hokies if they can get it done. If we run up the middle and throw nothing but down-field, long-developing routes, we are playing right into the strength of BC's defense.
• The last time the Hokies played at BC they were atrocious on third down, especially on third and short. It's imperative we convert on third down in this game to sustain drives and keep the defense on the sideline. The more they have to go against BC's big offensive front, the better BC's offense will be late in the game.