After taking care of business against Marshall and Old Dominion, Virginia Tech wraps up their non-conference with a fascinating clash against Rutgers where the Hokies have lots to prove ahead of their massive ACC opener next week at Miami. Meanwhile, Rutgers has done what they're supposed to against a weak opening slate with a chance to set the tone for their season this week.
So with that said, let's dive into our picks along with all our pregame coverage for the Hokies and Scarlet Knights.
- Four Hokies to Watch
- Inside the Enemy: Rutgers
- DT Kelvin Gilliam Taking Massive Strides
- Breaking Down Virginia Tech's Week 4 Depth Chart
- A Look at Pierson Prioleau's Safety Room
Tim Thomas
This is a fascinating matchup between a Virginia Tech team that has been wildly inconsistent and a Rutgers team that is a complete wild card having played one of the worst teams in FBS in Akron plus a middling FCS team in Howard. The Hokies are the more talented team at their peak on paper but there are questions whether Tech can reach that peak for four quarters while Rutgers seems to have the higher floor because of Kyle Monangai and their offensive line.
This sets up to potentially be a fairly high scoring game between the blend of Monangai for Rutgers and a Tech offense with loads of options facing a banged up Rutgers defense that is getting healthier but is far from 100%. Then again, the Hokies' offense hasn't actually been in rhythm and has a big offensive line issue, while Rutgers has a major question mark at QB with Athan Kaliakmanis who was a below average QB at Minnesota and not a running threat either.
One thing that helps for the Hokies is the fact that Rutgers is banged up at linebacker especially and runs a lighter 4-2-5 box that could be favorable for Bhayshul Tuten and Tech's rushing attack. Tuten has found his greatest success running between the tackles this season especially last week against an Old Dominion defense that also had a lighter box with their 3-3-5 defense. Now, Tuten is technically questionable but I would be stunned if he didn't play and put on a show in this game as well.
This is a game where it feels like Virginia Tech could win whether they start well or not while Rutgers isn't built to make comebacks happen given their question marks with their passing game. I expect the Hokies to load up the box in this game and trust their secondary's advantage over Rutgers' receivers in an effort to contain Monangai.
In the end, I do think Monangai will have a big game but the Rutgers offense has a lot of questions around him. The concerns at QB with Athan Kaliakmanis will come to fruition as Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten power the Hokies to an important home victory right before they kick off ACC play against league favorite Miami.
Pick: Virginia Tech 27, Rutgers 21
Tucker Terry
For the second year in a row, Virginia Tech faces Rutgers in their non-conference part of the schedule, early in the season. If the Hokies have any chance of a revenge game on their home turf, they’ll have to do a better job limiting star running back Kyle Monangai, who ran all over the Hokie defense to the tune of 143 yards and three touchdowns a year ago.
The task will be tough, as Monangai has started the season on a tear, and Virginia Tech’s run defense has been far from stout. This game will likely come down to which team can control the ball in a pound the rock style game, between the fourth ranked rushing team in the country in Rutgers, and last year's 23rd ranked rushing offense in Virginia Tech.
Another point of emphasis, specifically for the Hokies, will be starting the game out strong. On the season, Virginia Tech has 27 first half points and 68 second half points. This inconsistent play was enough to cruise by Marshall and Old Dominion, but it won’t be enough to beat Rutgers.
However, I think this is the week Virginia Tech will finally put all their talent together for 60 minutes of good football. Monangai and Rutgers rushing attack will be a handful, but Bhayshul Tuten and Kyron Drones will match that with a dangerous rushing offense of their own, and the Hokie defense will make enough timely plays to pick up a narrow 34-31 win.
