Editor's note: Christian Alexander has a pair of winners in tonight's pick pack!
#2 Boston College (7-0, 3-0 ACC) at #8 Virginia Tech (6-1, 3-0 ACC)
Thursday, October 25
7:30 PM ET on ESPN
Lane Stadium (Natural Grass)
I’m sure Rutgers fans were thrilled with the coaching performance of Greg Schiano last Thursday night as the Scarlet Knights took down the #2 team in the nation, South Florida. Schiano pulled out all kinds of tricks in order to beat the Bulls, using a fake punt just six plays into the game that eventually led to a field goal and then faking a field goal in the third quarter, a play that resulted in a touchdown.
Those 10 points were ultimately the difference in the game as Rutgers prevailed 30-27. Unfortunately, those 10 points were also key in the game going over the 52.5 total. That made me a loser last week and so my three game Thursday night winning streak was halted and my season record now stands at 5-3.
Speaking of the #2 team in the nation, they play on Thursday night again this week. Of course, the #2 team in the land is no longer South Florida, but Boston College of the ACC.
And just as the undefeated Bulls faced a very stern road test at Rutgers, the undefeated Eagles will also get all they can handle this week when they travel to Blacksburg, VA to face Virginia Tech.
And if you’ve ever been to Blacksburg on an October night you know how it got the name. Its cold, its dark…it’s black. And on a football night it’s loud. Very loud.
And so the obvious question is, can Boston College avoid the string of upsets that have recently befallen highly ranked teams – and specifically teams ranked #2 in the nation.
To do so they will have to contend with a stout Hokies defense – what else is new? – and some playmakers on special teams – again, what else is new? Led by linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall, along with DE Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech has the 13th ranked defense in the nation.
The good news for BC is they won’t have to deal with a stellar offense. The Hokies offense has been the polar opposite of their defense this season, ranking 112th in the nation. Sean Glennon, the starting QB to begin the season for Virginia Tech, struggled and took most of the blame for the poor offense and finally was pulled from his job after a 48-7 loss at LSU.
At that point coach Frank Beamer turned to Tyrod Taylor, a freshman who brings a great deal of athleticism to the position, something Glennon lacked.
However, the bad news for Virginia Tech is that Taylor is nursing a right ankle sprain and appears to be a gametime decision for Thursday night's tilt. Undoubtedly Beamer would love to be able to use Taylor, who has started in five consecutive victories for the Hokies, but he may be forced to go back to Glennon.
Meanwhile, there is no such confusion about who will be under center for Boston College. QB Matt Ryan was predicted by many to be the top signal caller in the league this season and he has proved to be just that…and more.
Ryan has already thrown for over two thousand yards and 17 touchdowns and is a large part of the reason why BC is not only undefeated but have yet to win a game by less than double digits.
And unlike Virginia Tech’s differential between their offense and defense, the 16th ranked BC offense is only slightly ahead of the Eagles’ 29th ranked defense.
No one disputes that there is much more balance to the undefeated and 2nd ranked visitors this Thursday night. However, at the same time there is also no question that Lane Stadium on a Thursday night presents a huge homefield advantage, one that Virginia Tech has made opponents fear for years. And don’t forget about Beamer’s special teams – they have been known to swing a game or two.
Virginia Tech will also have revenge on their mind for last year when they traveled to Boston on a Thursday night and were drilled 22-3. The story of that game was the walk-on kicker for BC, Steve Aponavicius, who got the start against the Hokies and made both of his field goal attempts (36 and 20 yards) and both his PATs in the win. It was the first time Aponavicius, a former soccer player, had ever played in an official football game – at any level.
At this point in the season, national offensive and defensive rankings start to take on more and more meaning for me as I break down the games. Below you will see a listing of not only Virginia Tech and Boston College’s national rankings among the 119 Division 1-A programs, but also the current rankings of all their opponents. It certainly gives you an accurate idea of the level of competition each school has faced and is a valuable handicapping tool for me.
Thursday Night factoid:
Virginia Tech beat Boston College 30-10 the last time they played in Blacksburg (2005). Overall, the Hokies are 8-2 against the Eagles since 1995.
BOSTON COLLEGE
Offense:16 Defense:29
Sep 1 - Wake Forest (Won 38-28)
Offense:83 Defense:50
Sep 8 - N. Carolina St. (Won 37-17)
Offense:103 Defense:76
Sep 15 - @Georgia Tech (Won 24-10)
Offense:63 Defense:9
Sep 22 - Army (Won 37-17)
Offense:116 Defense:70
Sep 29 - Massachusetts (Won 24-14)
N/A D 1-AA team
Oct 6 - Bowling Green (Won 55-24)
Offense:52 Defense:88
Oct 13 @Notre Dame Won 27-14
Offense:119 Defense:58
Average opponent offensive ranking:89.3 (Best 52, Worst 119)
Average opponent defensive ranking:58.5 (Best 9, Worst 88)
VIRGINIA TECH
Offense:112 Defense:13
Sep 1 - East Carolina (Won 17-7)
Offense:94 Defense:103
Sep 8 - @LSU (Lost 7-48)
Offense:29 Defense:2
Sep 15 - Ohio (Won 28-7)
Offense:75 Defense:96
Sep 22 - William & Mary (Won 44-3)
N/A D 1-AA team
Sep 29 - North Carolina (Won 17-10)
Offense:90 Defense:42
Oct 6 - @Clemson (Won 41-23)
Offense:30 Defense:10
Oct 13 - @Duke (Won 43-14)
Offense:111 Defense:98
Average opponent offensive ranking: 71.5 (Best 29, Worst 111)
Average opponent defensive ranking: 58.5 (Best 2, Worst 103)
