With kickoff just hours away, let’s get you ready for this showdown between Virginia Tech and NC State.
Keys to the Game: CJ Bailey is a talented young quarterback, but he is turnover prone at times with four interceptions on the season. If you’re Virginia Tech’s defense, the gameplan has to start with containing Hollywood Smothers who have 503 rushing yards and four touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per game this season to date. Smothers is a difference maker who is well on his way to All-ACC status and if VT wants a chance to pull off the upset, they need to contain Smothers and force Bailey and a solid NC State passing attack to beat them.
Kyron Drones finally found some consistency last week and needs to build on that against a quality opponent. The Wolfpack are vulnerable through the air with opponents averaging over 290 passing yards and a completion percentage over 66% this season. Tech has the receiving talent to give NC State issues too but the question is whether Drones can consistently deliver what VT needs from him. If not, the low odds of an upset become even slimmer.
Hokies to Watch: You can check out Josh Poslusny’s Hokies to Watch feature here. Kaleb Spencer is likely poised for his second-straight start at linebacker this week and will have a big task on his hand facing NC State’s star RB Hollywood Smothers. Spencer is an elite athlete for a linebacker but the question is how well has he learned the linebacker position, especially working at an ILB spot rather than a spot on the edge as he did as a STAR linebacker last season. His athleticism can make up for some mistakes but they can’t make up for all of them and if he isn’t on his game, Smothers will make him play.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: It’s been a quiet start to the season for redshirt junior Benji Gosnell, who only has six catches for 48 yards through the first four games. Gosnell is a matchup mismatch for opponents as one of the ACC’s best receiving tight ends and someone who the Hokies should be finding more ways to get him opportunities to make plays. If Tech can get Gosnell opportunities to make plays, it could help the Hokies find a more sustained offensive rhythm against teams not named Wofford.
Matchups to Watch: Justin Joly is one of the best receiving tight ends in the Power 4 and currently leads the Wolfpack with 18 receptions. Isaiah Cash will have a busy day working at the nickel whether it’s matched up against Joly or one of NC State’s talented receivers, as the Wolfpack have six WRs and TEs with at least nine receptions this season. If Cash and Tech’s linebacker corps can contain the safety valve of Joly, they might be able to force CJ Bailey into some mistakes.
Availability Watch: Virginia Tech’s offensive line remains dealing with lots of injuries while likely redshirts have arisen headlined by LB Caleb Woodson and S Quentin Reddish. Check out the full availability report for the Hokies and what adjustments may be required here.
Predictions
Tim Thomas
At the end of the day, NC State is the better team while Virginia Tech's offense has not consistently shown anything against a Power 4 opponent this season. While I think VT will be able to make some things happen, the Wolfpack have a complete offense that will put up plenty of points as a slightly depleted Tech roster doesn't put up much of a competitive fight against the Wolfpack.
