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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.
Things to Know Saturday
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 9, 2019
Parking info
Hokie Village
Hokie Walk
@hokiesports app and more
https://t.co/Ab36iARoMX pic.twitter.com/hArYXHDjd3
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.
2️⃣5️⃣ this week @devonhunter11 ‼️
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 10, 2019
Chesapeake, Virginia native earns honor for the first time in his career
https://t.co/cQpav7SzN2 pic.twitter.com/M9O0SAhLqt
Some More Kudos from the League
Rayshard Ashby was named ACC Linebacker of the Week for his outstanding work in the Miami Game.
For the second time this season, @__Lamont named @ACCFootball Linebacker of the week #LPD
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 7, 2019
For more
https://t.co/nWfA5yU4Dd pic.twitter.com/JosnKrnusU
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
Poll
It’s your turn, what’s going to happen?
This poll is closed
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32%
Hokies are overconfident, and come out flat. The offense is predictable and they play down to the Rams. Hokies by 10 O/U is less than 40.
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39%
Hokies are stoked up, there is new life and new energy. The game plan is rather pedestrian though, and the Hokies don’t run up the score. Hokies by 30 but O/U stays south of 40.
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24%
Hokies light the afterburner on both sides of the ball. Rhode Island manages to get into Tech territory once or twice but no further. The Hokie offense cuts up the Rams. Hokies by 40+ and the O/U is north of 40.
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4%
The unthinkable happens. Lane empties by the 3rd quarter. Sobbing can be heard in the direction of Washington Street.
It’s all up to the players and the coaches. This game shouldn’t be in question.