EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, September 29^th, the (2-1) Virginia Tech Hokies will be on the road to take on the (4-0) Duke Blue Devils.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Virginia Tech 30.1 – Duke 25.6 with an over/under of 55.7.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Virginia Tech 41 – Duke 35.

Mark is predicting a final score of Duke 38 – Virginia Tech 28.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Virginia Tech 256.7 YPG > Duke 207.8 YPG

Rushing offense: Virginia Tech 245.0 YPG > Duke 219.5 YPG

Scoring offense: Virginia Tech 40.3 PPG > Duke 37.5 PPG

Scoring defense: Duke 15.3 PPG > Virginia Tech 23.0 PPG

Passing defense: Duke 200.0 YPG > Virginia Tech 320.0 YPG

Rushing defense: Virginia Tech 88.3 YPG > Duke 133.3 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Virginia Tech +2.0 > Duke +1.7

Summary:

Virginia Tech is (2-1) to start the season with wins over #19 Florida State and William & Mary.  It was very disappointing to see Virginia Tech get upset 49-35 on the road against Old Dominion.  The Hokies rank 30^th in points per game (40.3) and 54^th in scoring defense (23.0 PPG).  Quarterback Josh Jackson has completed 62% of his passes for 575 yards with 5 touchdowns to 1 interception.  Shaun Peoples is the leading rusher with 255 yards (6.5 YPC) and 4 touchdowns on the season.  Damon Hazelton (283 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns has accounted for nearly half of the team’s receiving production.  The Hokies defense was embarrassed last week allowing Old Dominion to pile up 632 yards and 49 points against them.  Virginia Tech is stout against the run but they have really been burned by the pass. Virginia Tech (+2.0) ranks 5^th in the nation in turnover margin.

Duke is a perfect (4-0) with wins over Army, Northwestern, NC Central, and Baylor.  The Blue Devils rank 37^th in points per game (37.5) and 16^th in scoring defense (15.3 PPG).  Duke is in a state of flux after their star quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a broken collarbone in week two.  Quentin Harris has taken the reigns and completed 49% of his passes for 388 yards with 6 touchdowns to 0 interceptions.  Brittain Brown and Deon Jackson have combined to rush for 505 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Johnathan Lloyd, T.J. Rahming, and David Koppenhaver each have 3 touchdown receptions.  The real surprise has been Duke’s defense which is a top 20 unit this season.  Duke (+1.7) ranks 8^th in the country in turnover margin.

Bottom Line:

Head Coach Justin Fuente and Virginia Tech were embarrassed last week and it’s hard to see them having the same mental lapses again.  If Daniel Jones were healthy this may be a different story but Quentin Harris is not accurate to exploit the weaknesses in the Virginia Tech secondary.  Neither of these teams turn the ball over but I believe Virginia Tech is simply the more talented squad.

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