The Even Particulars

Before we get to predictions, let’s get to a few important pieces of information. Comcast viewers are going to need to get to some place with another cable service or satellite because y’all are going to have to take in the game with Jon Laaser and Mike Burnop over the Hokie broadcasting network. Supposedly the game will be available through WatchESPN but we all know how those sorts of things go.

Hokie Sports put up an unusual page for their Game Day event schedule. The kick-off is at an unusual 4:00 PM for a mid-day college match up. That means the game will conclude after dark but before everyone is exhausted, too.

Reports coming from campus are that the usual Friday build up of traffic and the crowds is not materializing early. Folks might be coming later in the evening, but it’s relatively quiet for a pre-Game Day.

Event Preparations

It looks like the uniform of the day will be Maroon Jerseys with White pants and White helmets. You never know what might change, though. Tracking down that information has been tough this season. VTEquipment hasn’t been tweeting much since the 4th.

The Beamerball Jersey

Devon Hunter has earned the privilege of wearing the #25 this weekend.

Some More Kudos from the League

Rayshard Ashby was named ACC Linebacker of the Week for his outstanding work in the Miami Game.

And now we get to the main event. It’s predictions time.

Bryan Manning

I am not going to spend much time on this one. Hokies are expected to win. Hokies will win. What I am afraid of is predicting a score as the games where we expect to blow someone out, well, it doesn’t happen. So, here we go.

Hokies 41 Rhode Island 10

Joshua Warner

The Hokies offense should focus on making Hooker sit in the pocket and throw the ball. This is a game to give him confidence and chemistry. Knowing the Hokies offense though, it’ll be read option heavy and minimal throws for Hooker.

Hokies 38 Rams 14

Nathan Reynolds

This should be the Hokies easiest win of the season, and one they need to keep bowl hopes alive. And I say that fully aware of the team’s struggles this season. They are at home and Rhode Island have given up at least 24 points in each of their five games so far this year, including 41 to Ohio and 44 to Delaware. I expect Virginia Tech to dominate on the ground and take control by half time. The lead should allow the team to experiment with Hendon Hooker in the passing game. Enjoy the match because then it’s straight into six ACC games to close out the season.

Virginia Tech 45-10

John Schneider

This season has been strange, to say the least. We lost a narrow one to BC on mistakes (the game should have been a win). We beat ODU for some measure of revenge, but performed like a bucket of warm water. We beat Furman but basically played down to them and had to rally to win. We didn’t show up for Duke. Then there was 2/3rds of a game of magic and we beat Miami by a touchdown. This week the Rhode Island Rams come to Lane for the first time in 39 years. This is largely an exhibition game because RI is the 2nd FCS team that we play. There is a danger in that; however. Tech needs to play the game against Rhode Island that they should have played against Furman. I think that some new blood and a different attitude born of embarrassment and frustration will make the team determined to produce a better outcome. Rhode Island does have some offensive players who could make something happen, but I don’t seen them doing much more than scoring once or twice. I also don’t see them stopping a fully functional Read/Option Spread with Hendon Hooker at the helm. The over/under might be north of 50, and mostly for the Hokies.

49 - 10 Hokies

It’s all up to the players and the coaches. This game shouldn’t be in question.

GO HOKIES!!!