On Saturday, November 15th, the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-6, 2-3 ACC) travel to Tallahassee, Florida to take on the Florida State Seminoles (4-5, 1-5 ACC). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm on the ACC Network.
This is an interesting game for a few reasons. I’m curious to see what kind of environment is present inside Doak Campbell Stadium. Will the fans show up despite being in the midst of Florida State’s second disappointing season in a row? If so, how will the Hokies respond?
I believe there are several factors on both sides of the ball that could play a major role; let’s take a look at those:
Offense
1. Quarterback: Make the Easy Play
As has often been the case this season, the Hokies will need Kyron Drones to be on point Saturday, especially given that Florida State’s defensive weakness is against the pass. Florida State is giving up 204.9 yards per game through the air (11.53 yards per catch) which ranks ninth in the ACC. For comparison, the Seminoles rank third in total defense with 1,013 rush yards, 1,844 pass yards, 22 touchdowns, and 317.44 yards per game; their rush defense ranks seventh in the league with 3.04 yards per carry and 112.56 yards per game. Drones has recorded 1,592 yards on 152/260 (58%) completion, 15 touchdowns to six interceptions, and 176.9 passing yards per game. He is also second on the team in rushing, tallying 499 yards on 127 carries, eight touchdowns, 3.9 yards per carry, and 55.4 yards per game.
I believe the Hokies rushing attack will have opportunities Saturday to be successful against Florida State’s 4-2-5 defense (if you are new to football terminology, this is a defensive scheme utilizing four ‘down’ defensive linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs of any combination- three defensive backs and two safeties, etc.). That success will in turn open things up through the air for Drones.
To be successful in this game the Hokies not only need to run the ball effectively, but will need to throw the ball effectively on the ‘in between’ plays, which is what I call second-and-long, first-and-ten following a first down, second-and-goal, and so on. These plays are crucial to keeping drives alive and, unfortunately, we have seen many promising drives die because of the Hokies’ inability to throw the ball on these downs. Bottom line is Kyron Drones has to be able to make these plays with his arm in order for the Hokies to be in contention this weekend.
