Virginia Tech's season has been a disappointment, but the Hokies still have a chance to improve on last year's regular season record of 6-6 if they win the final two regular season games. Meanwhile, Duke is looking for their third-straight 8+ win season for the first time since 2013-15.
So let's dive into our quick preview first and foremost.
Keys to the Game: Miles Jordan dives into the keys to the game for the matchup, which you can read here. The Hokies have to get pressure on Maalik Murphy in this game, especially with Duke struggling to run the football at times and being a little one-dimensional. Tech has the best pass rusher in the ACC in Antwaun Powell-Ryland along with the best interior pass rusher in Aeneas Peebles, the Duke transfer. Both those guys could have a big impact on the outcome of this game.
Hokie to Watch: Jeremiah Coney seems poised for a larger role this week whether Bhayshul Tuten goes or not. Coney should have gotten some opportunities against Clemson with Tuten clearly being far from 100%. He’s also shown plenty of potential with nine carries for 96 yards just three weeks ago against Syracuse including a pair of 20+ yard carries in that game. Even if Tuten is limited, Coney can provide the Hokies with a strong rushing attack in his absence.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: Mansoor Delane has been a turnover-forcing machine this season with three interceptions and two forced fumbles this season. Meanwhile, Maalik Murphy has throw eight interceptions this season including at least one interception in six of Duke’s 10 games. With Duke struggling to run the football this season, Murphy’s arm will play a big role in determining the outcome with Delane having a chance to be a difference maker himself.
Duke X-Factor: In our Inside the Enemy piece with Rivals’ Conor O’Neill, he mentions former starting RB Jaquez Moore who suffered an injury early in the season but may be making his return this week. A healthy Moore could give the Hokies a problem, having averaged over 5.5 yards per carry in 2022 and 2023.
Key Stat: Duke is averaging only 3.2 yards per carry with their RB duo of Star Thomas and Peyton Jones both averaging 4.2 yards per carry or next. Now having Moore back likely will help Duke a little bit on the ground, but VT has the opportunity to make Duke one-dimensional which could be crucial in what may be a low-scoring game.
Injury Watch: Brent Pry said earlier this week that Kyron Drones, Bhayshul Tuten, and Malachi Thomas were all questionable before following that up with announcing that Thomas will be out on Wednesday. Drones has been in and out of practice this week and I wouldn’t be holding my breath on him playing, even if Pry says he is questionable. Tuten seems more likely to play with Pry saying on Wednesday that Tuten is as healthy as he has been seemingly since when he suffered this injury against Georgia Tech.
ACC Championship Game Race Update: SMU is one win away from securing an ACC Championship Game bid while Miami is in if they beat Wake Forest and Syracuse. If Miami slips up, Clemson will secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game.
With all that in mind, let's dive into the prediction segment.
Tim Thomas
With Duke ranking 81st in the country in points per game and Virginia Tech having Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten still banged up, this game has the making of a low-scoring battle.
Duke has forced their fair share of turnovers this season, and whoever is at the helm of Tech's offense will have to be sharp at protecting the football. Personally, I think it's more likely that it's Collin Schlee than Kyron Drones given how in and out of practice that Drones has been.
If there is encouraging news, it's that Bhayshul Tuten is getting healthier and if he is more like his knee-brace self early in the season rather than the limited Tuten against Clemson, then Tech should be a force on the ground. Even if Tuten is limited, Tech has a competent option in Jeremiah Coney as he showed with 96 yards including two 20+ yard carries against Syracuse.
Meanwhile, Duke QB Maalik Murphy has shown signs of growth as the season has gone along, but he's also had at least one interception in six of 10 games including three against Miami. Duke will need Murphy given the fact that they have struggled to run the football, only averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Duke is the type of offense that even if they get things rolling, Tech could derail them and lean again on some bend but don't break defense to hold them to field goals rather than touchdowns in key moments.
It's a gamble betting on Virginia Tech to win a close game given the well-documented one-score struggles under Brent Pry. However, the Hokies feel due to break through and in a low-scoring affair where their defense can drive the way, especially the star CB duo of Dorian Strong and Mansoor Delane, that feels like it can be the difference. In the end, VT wins a tight one with defense and John Love leading the charge.
