Hello Hokies! It’s Gameday!!!!!!!!!!!!
This hasn’t been the season that Virginia Tech hoped for but tonight still provides an opportunity for VT to end this season with a second-straight winning record. They also have a chance to end their non-conference victory drought against a solid Minnesota team that also is without a lot of important pieces but does have their starting QB-RB duo.
Tech is rightly the underdog, but bowl games always can produce weird results and no one should count out the Hokies in this matchup. I personally think it’s very plausible that the Hokies can get the job done with VT having Bud Foster around in the box tonight definitely being an advantage on the coaching front.
So with that in mind, let’s dive into my preview for the first football matchup between Virginia Tech and Minnesota.
Gameday Preview
Keys to the Game: Check out Miles Jordan’s keys to the game here including the importance of Pop Watson to have a big game on a night where the Hokies are underdogs and a little undermanned.
Hokies to Watch: There are plenty of players to start given all the roster turnover. Let’s start with freshman center Tommy Ricard who redshirted this past season, but will get his first start tonight with Braelin Moore and Lance Williams both leaving the program for the transfer portal. This game will provide a stiff test for Ricard but if he is able to provide competent, it could set him up well to push for a starting center job that is wide open at the moment between him and incoming WVU transfer Kyle Altuner.
Quentin Reddish gets his first career start on his return home to Charlotte after a solid freshman season for the Hokies. Tech has been busy in the portal especially at DB with five committed including three safeties. That has Reddish set for a battle for a starting job next year, with the opportunity tonight to prove that he is ready to take that next step and start for the Hokies over some more experienced, older options next season.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: Ali Jennings has plenty to prove tonight as he told me that he’s playing in this game in part because various Senior Bowls were wanting to see him one more time before deciding whether to invite him or not. Jennings finished the season quite well with six catches for 158 yards and a touchdown followed by two catches for 51 yards against UVA. He also had a receiving touchdown against Syracuse in what was a much stronger finish for him to this season. Keep an eye on Jennings who has something to prove.
Minnesota X-Factor: Max Brosmer had a tremendous career at New Hampshire before having a solid season for the Golden Gophers. With the Hokies’ focus likely to be on stopping star RB Darius Taylor, Brosmer could be the x-factor if he can open things up for Taylor with his arm. While Brosmer could definitely be Tech with his arm, containing Taylor rightly should be the first focus for the Hokies especially with the Gophers not having their top WR in this game.
Injury Watch: Kyron Drones will not be playing tonight, but Jaylen Jones’ status is up in the air. If he isn’t able to play as most expect, VT will likely be starting either Devin Alves or Braylon Johnson alongside Quentin Reddish in what will be a very depleted safety room at that point.
Prediction: Minnesota 23, Virginia Tech 17
In the end, I just think there’s too much change for the Hokies to get the job done in this one, especially with an offensive line that will likely be a massive problem. While the Golden Gophers will also be without both of their starting offensive tackles, they should have enough competence to get star RB Darius Taylor going and take down VT. However, don’t be surprised if the Hokies keep this open closer than expected or pull off the upset. Bowl games can always bring plenty of surprises.
