Hokie Football News
The Hokies will be in “All Whites” on Friday evening. White pants, jerseys, and helmets.
Friday Night Whites ❄️#Hokies | #BeatDuke pic.twitter.com/OW3le6tFCO
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 26, 2019
The Accidental Rivalry is No More
The Athletic Department officially announced a full cancellation of the ECU series. We guess the nerves and business issues were rubbed too raw last season, and the Accidental Rivalry will end at this point. The big issue will be finding an FBS Mid-Major or Group of 5 team to fill the slot in the schedule for the next five years. There are those who feel absolutely compelled to want West Virginia, but that’s not what this class of game was for. We’ll see how things work out. It will be the note of interest when they publish the 2020 schedule.
Scheduling Update #Hokies pic.twitter.com/8VCdBV2nfs
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 23, 2019
Oscar Bradburn will be wearing #25 on Friday
Loyalty. 2️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/p1KYys20IS
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 25, 2019
And now for Predictions
Bryan Manning
The Hokies return to action with a rare Friday night contest as they host Duke in Lane Stadium. Duke is a quality opponent that is well coached, however, very beatable. If we’ve learned anything from the Hokies through the first three weeks, though, they are quite beatable as well. Tech has had some moments on both sides of the ball but no consistency. Offensively, quarterback Ryan Willis has been the biggest culprit. It’s worth noting his best game last season came against the Blue Devils.
The Hokies need to set the tone defensively early. Keeping Quentin Harris in the pocket as much as possible would help them immensely. This one is going to be close, possibly even coming down to who has the ball last. In this case, the Hokies will do just enough on offense as Willis takes better care of the football and Tech gets a big game from Tre Turner and the returning Damon Hazelton to pick up an important ACC win.
Hokies 24, Duke 20
Josh Warner
This is a big game in Lane. Prime time on ESPN, White Out, Friday Night...this is a must win for Tech. If Tech isn’t this season could get away. The coaching needs to work with the talent. The Hokies should win, but will they: I don’t know. My best guess:
27-24 Hokies
Nathan Reynolds
Nathan has been out of the Hokie Sports Information stream while living and working out on the west coast. He’s getting up to speed, but gives us his best estimate. -ed.
31-28 Hokies
John Schneider
This game is too critical for the Hokies not to be pulling out as many stops as they can find. Here is hoping that Jerry Kill can help the Fuente/Cornelsen offensive hooptie find some sort of timing and tuning. The Hokies are facing a running quarterback who also has a good arm. Will the Offense score enough points to stay ahead of Duke if a shootout develops? Will the Offense actually develop something akin to a rhythm? Can the defense do what it has done for the last two games, and limit the running quarterback? I do not believe that the defense will completely shut down the Duke offense, and I do not believe that the Duke defense can shut down a Virginia Tech offense that is configured to beat their young secondary. This will be a close game. I have punted a few numbers around, but I still see the prediction from the podcast.
28-24 Hokies
Poll
Now it’s your turn. What do you think is going to happen?
This poll is closed
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21%
Tech still hasn’t solved its offensive stuttering and sputtering. They’ll be good at times but not enough times. Duke takes this by less than a score.
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32%
Tech’s Defense gets a good grip on the game with Duke’s offense working for every drive. The Hokie O grabs what it can, and the Hokies manage a close win.
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34%
It’s #ThirdandPanicsburg all evening. The Offense scores some but not enough. the defense spends too much time on the field. Tech gets handled.
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12%
The offense finally gets its act on the road, moving the ball on the ground, outside, and through the air with the Tight Ends and slot receiver getting the work. Hokies cruise.
So that’s it!. It’s all about what happens starting exactly one play after kickoff. These are two evenly matched teams in transition from player losses. They have 2-1 records, and they also have a real need to get a quality win. Let’s make that a Hokie Quality Win... please... Thank you and as always!
GO HOKIES!!!!