A contrast of seasons is on display tonight as a struggling 2-5 Virginia Tech prepares for their best chance to pick up a win the rest of the season while California looks to reach bowl eligibility tonight after a 5-2 start.
So with that said, let’s get you ready for this showdown between Virginia Tech and California
Keys to the Game: You can check out Chris Payne’s keys to the game here. One of Chris’ keys for the Hokies’ offense is to do a much better job protecting Kyron Drones. Offensive line struggles have been at the core of Tech’s offensive issues this season and while Cal doesn’t have a fearsome pass rush, VT’s OL has been subpar. If VT can give Drones the time he needs to succeed, the Hokies could have one of their best offensive performances of the season.
Hokies to Watch: You can check out Josh Poslusny’s Hokies to Watch feature here. Tech’s young defensive backs will certainly be tested tonight by a Cal offense built around its star true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and a talented group of receivers. Young DBs like Sheldon Robinson and Jojo Crim will need to deliver quality play tonight alongside older DBs like Isaiah Brown-Murray and Tyson Flowers if Tech wants to contain Cal’s offense.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: One position group that Virginia Tech is well above-average at nationally is kicker with John Love. He’s proven himself to be one of the best kickers in the country and could easily follow in the legacy of former Hokie kickers like Shayne Graham, Joey Slye, and John Parker Romo in finding himself in the NFL very soon. In the interim, Tech may need Love to deliver some big kicks tonight in a game that has all the potential to be a four-quarter battle decided by the slimmest of margins.
Matchups to Watch: Mason Mini is one of the ACC’s most productive tight ends and will test the Hokies’ linebackers in coverage in this game. The good news is that Tech’s linebackers largely have a pass coverage background with Kaleb Spencer starting his collegiate career at safety and Caleb Woodson making the move from safety to linebacker once he got to Blacksburg. For a young QB on the road, having a good TE as a safety valve can be quite valuable and if Spencer and Woodson can take that away from Sagapolutele, it could help VT force some turnovers especially off a QB who already has seven interceptions this season.
Availability Watch: The Hokies are still without Quentin Reddish while offensive line starter Montavious Cunningham is still recovering from injury. However, the Hokies are looking as healthy as they’ve been in weeks with Terion Stewart and Thomas Williams among those who are good to go. Check out the full availability report here.
Predictions
Tim Thomas
California is a pesky team but also wildly inconsistent as shown by how they started off strong against Duke before proceeding to get blown out by them. Meanwhile, the Hokies have some talent and the benefit of playing at home, though the Golden Bears have come across the country and delivered a win when they beat Boston College earlier this season.
I do think this will be a tricky game for the Hokies but having extra time to prepare will certainly prove beneficial. Tech is also as healthy as its been in weeks and will be able to get things going on the ground earlier to maximize their best offensive performance. In the end, I think VT will be able to get what they need on the ground and force the turnovers off a talented but turnover-prone freshman QB in Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to take down the Golden Bears. However, I wouldn't be surprised if this game goes in just about any direction either.
Pick: Virginia Tech 23, California 17
Chris Payne
This game feels like it will either be an offensive shootout or a rock-fight. The biggest two questions I have are a) can the Hokies defensive secondary play well against multiple talented weapons and b) can the offense take advantage of turnovers, three and outs, or any sort of positive momentum to consistently put points on the board? I think if Tech is able to just do those two things, the game will be close.
However, I’m not so sure. I think Cal wins the game handily, but I would not be surprised if the game was actually close until the middle of the fourth quarter.
