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News bits:
The Band is Ready
Take a look at the hype video for the Marching Virginians.... It’s their last big event for the school year, so they are ready.
Hey @belkbowl are you ready for us??? pic.twitter.com/jo91USGaHk
— The Marching Virginians (@SpiritOfTech) December 30, 2019
Gotta Love Belk’s Twitter presence... These guys have been fun, we are going to miss them.
We love Star Wars and telling you tomorrow's schedule of events.
— Belk Bowl (@belkbowl) December 30, 2019
cc: @HokiesFB @UKFootball pic.twitter.com/2OQIR8CGLw
This is Bud Foster’s Last Game Old Players are telling us how important it is to win this one because of what he’s meant to them and to Virginia Tech.
One More For Bud
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 30, 2019
More of our former players express their appreciation for @CoachFosterVT#Hokies | #LPD pic.twitter.com/jgAMnu7LWn
Hendon Hooker is awarded the Hokies’ MVP Award. He turned the season around. There are lots of great performers including Caleb Farley, Rayshard Ashby, and Chamarri Conner, but NOBODY affected this team like Hendon Hooker did. Congratulations young man. The maximum respect from your teammates is the best that anyone can say about someone.
The there was that Lean Mean Interception Machine in the defensive line. Dashawn Crawford made is presence felt.
@underated54 is the Outstanding Defensive Lineman #Hokies | #LPD pic.twitter.com/4aD7jCJdxh
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 30, 2019
Then there is the Leg from Down Under... And the Legs from the Beach:
Boomin' Bradburn (@oscbradburn) is the Outstanding Specialist #Hokies pic.twitter.com/MaidHjRpMU
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 30, 2019
And another North Carolina talent, the very returning (Yay!!!!) Caleb Farley gets DB of the year, along with the very consequential Damon Hazelton getting the Wide Receiver of the Year. In other awards we have: Dax Hollifield, Dalton Keene, Reggie Floyd, and Rayshard Ashby
Paul Frederick Cobb Award - @DanielGriffy12
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 30, 2019
Lawrence R. White Award - Jarrod Hewitt
Wes Worsham Award - @ish_seisay7
Edward G. Ferrell Award - @DeabloDivine pic.twitter.com/C5gUv9p8ir
Christian Darrisaw nabs the respect of his team for O-Line and Rayshard Ashby gets another big nod for outstanding linebacker.
Up front, the Outstanding O-Lineman, @Bigdawgchris1 #Hokies pic.twitter.com/2e0YAZtY8T
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 30, 2019
AND Place Kicker Brian Johnson gets the #25 for the first time and the final game of the season.
Bowl Game 2️⃣5️⃣
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 29, 2019
K @Brian15Johnson earns honor for the first time!
https://t.co/NpYpLoyYdS #Hokies | #27Straight pic.twitter.com/VKVCOy92A6
Predictions
Nathan Reynolds
First of all, it’s a bowl game. You want to play well, win, and represent your school, but at the end of the day it’s end of year celebration, unless you are one of four teams competing for the national championship. If you look across the web, most expect a close game, with predictions falling within a seven point range for either school. As you’ll know by now Kentucky has found success with a run-first quarterback (and run-second, and run-third). (Side game: Will the Wildcats throw the ball more than 10 times the entire game?) Bud Foster has plenty of experience stopping a run dominated offense, i.e. Georgia Tech, but struggled against UVA’s Perkins - however, he had the threat of connecting on the deep pass. Hendon Hooker and the offense should be able to move the ball with relative ease, in what will turn into a high scoring game. The questions comes down to can Bud, in his last game with the Hokies, draw up a plan to stop Kentucky’s QB?
Virginia Tech 35 Kentucky 24
John Schneider
There is just no telling on this one. The defensive structure and reactions to running quarterbacks is iffy at best. We finally stopped Bryce Perkins but not before he killed us for the winning margin against UVA. The difference is that there is almost no passing game for Kentucky. Stop the run and it’s all over for them. But that’s easier said than done. The Hokie Offense also needs to put the hammer down and score points as fast and as often as possible. That means moving the ball in chunks, getting quality series starts with a reasonable 5+ yard first down schedule. The Wildcat defense is pretty good, but if it throws away the timidity this Tech offense is more than a match for them.
35-24 Hokies
Poll
What's going to happen in the Belk Bowl?
This poll is closed
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20%
The Hokies break from, come out with all stops gone and blow Kentucky's doors off. O/U 50+
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20%
Kentucky's QB/RB gets the best of us and the defense just can't slow him down. Hokies get run over.
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35%
Hokies corral the Wlidcats' wildcat but it's still a struggle. the Tech O is inconsistent but a low grade shoot out happens. Tech by a FG. O/U 50
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23%
Tech and Kentucky both big down to a nearly mo offense condition. Kentucky just grabs the last TD to nab a win. O/U 30.