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Time to get ready for Week 3 vs Nebraska! I’ll do my best to set the game up for you and make a few predictions for the action on Sat. Probably not going to have a running diary of the game again this weekend because, unlike against Marshall, you have no excuse to not watch this one! I guess unless you live in London… But still, no excuse!
VT had a big win over Marshall last week running all over the Thundering Herd. Take that irony! The combined running attack gained a total of 444 yards. Ryan Williams got 164 on the ground with 3 TDs and David Wilson got 165, both averaging over 10 yards a carry. The passing game started cold, but heated up going into halftime, so Tyrod might have finally gained a little confidence after a rough start to the season. The defense dominated but gave up two big plays setting up both of Marshall’s score. And the special teams were solid, returning a punt for a TD and not giving up any big plays the other way.
Nebraska has started the season off with two softies, and beaten both handedly. They are averaging about 300 yards a game passing and 200 yards a game rushing in those two games. First year starter, Zac Lee, has completed over 70% of his passes and has thrown 6 TDs and just 1 INT. At RB, they have Ryan Helu Jr. who is a 2 year starter and ran for 154 yards and 3 TD in their opener against Florida Atlantic. So the bad news is they seem to be explosive on offense. And they have only given up 12 points this season on defense. But the good news is that it was against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas St. Both were 6-6 teams in the Sun Belt Conference.
So what does this season tell us? How will we match up?
Nothing and who knows… One thing of note, Nebraska gave up 122 yards rushing to Florida Atlantic, and 143 yards to Arkansas St. Both of their starting RBs averaged around 4 or 5 yards a carry. Of course you could flip it to the other side of the coin and see that Alabama ran for 268 yards against us and Marshall even put up 126. But here’s the difference: Nebraska basically split time of possession with its opponents (lesser opponents at that). Alabama controlled the clock, and I mean controlled the clock, and their running game was mostly held in check until the 4th quarter till at last our defense collapsed in exhaustion. Marshall’s running game was completely stopped aside from a single run for 60 yards. Just looking at the stats, Nebraska was giving up chunks of running yards all game.
But still, the best we have to go by is the matchup last year, and maybe Nebraska’s bowl game vs Clemson. But lets be honest, Clemson was a complete shit show last year and who knows why that game turned out the way it did. So, how did our game shape up last year? VT win 35-30, season high passing yards for Tyrod (171) last year, held Nebraska to 55 rush yards on a 2.2 average, kicked 4 field goals all inside the 25, and had a 10 min advantage in time of possession.
So what’s the difference between the two teams from last year to this year? To start, Nebraska only had 13 starters return, and lost key people at QB and WR. Their offense is young, with only Helu and tight end, Nike Mcneil, returning at skill positions. Both had TDs last year against the Hokies. So from an experience stand point, you can argue that the Nebraska offense took a step back from last season. But if they stepped back in offense, they stepped up in defense. They return NFL talent, Ndemkong Suh, at NT. This kid is a freak, he lead the team in tackles (76), sacks (7.5), and tackles for a loss (11.5), plus he got 2 INT, and even caught a TD pass. King Kong will be a force in the middle, but hopefully our work against Terrence Cody has prepared our line for this. I assume King Kong is his nickname, and if not it should be and shame on you Nebraska fans. They will also get good play from their safeties, but their linebackers might be the weak spot, as they lack experience starting two redshirt freshmen.
So how bout them Hokies? The offense is better this year than last year regardless of what happened in the Alabama game. With the only real loss being Glennon (and come on, is that really a loss?), the Hokies have taken a huge step forward this year. To put it in perspective, last season the Hokies scored over 30 a single time last season, and it was not against East Carolina, Furman, Western Kentucky, Duke, or UVA. You remember who it was against? Of course you do! It was Nebraska. This year we put up 52 already, and if we remember the recipe on how we did it we’ll probably run up a few more scores by seasons end. And that recipe is, of course, give the ball to playmakers. And those playmakers are Ryan Williams and David Wilson. I would also like to see Roberts get some more touches, but we’ll get to that. So last season we put up 35 points, scoring 8 different times, against Nebraska. And yes I said their defense is better, but our offense made more of an improvement than their defense. So how does our defense look? Does Bud Foster still coach it? Yeah? Its good then, top 10 in the country.
So here’s how it all shakes out. Nebraska will be tossing it all over the field, so they will get their first downs. It’s just how our zone works. But with a new QB and new WRs who haven’t faced a road game or a big time opponent, can you think of a worst test than Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. This will likely lead to 2 or 3 picks and a couple sacks. And I’m sure VT will come out gunning down the field because we never learn, but we’ll settle down as soon as Williams gets a few touches and breaks a big gain. Then we’ll control clock, run the ball and complete short passes and win by a few scores.
And here’s what I personally want to see more and less of, in no particular order: more runs early in the game, more screens to Williams, Wilson, Roberts, and even Coale, less Ogelsby (no offense to the guy), more option, more play action, more short passes, way less deep throws, more sacks (where are you Worilds), more healthy Boone and Virgil (especially Virgil this game), more fans like Nebraska fans and VT fans, less Lou Holtz except when they talk about Notre Dame this weekend, less dramatic and inspiring commercials from oil companies, insurance companies, and IBM, more funny beer commercials, and less arrogant beer commercials. I don’t care that you’re triple hops brewed Miller Light, you still taste like corn and ass!
More Erin Andrews!
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Less Holly Rowe (who we’re stuck with this week).
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And finally, more VT wins!
Just looked up Worilds stats, 7 tackles, 1 sack (4 yards), and 7 hurries. That’s actually pretty good for 2 games, but he still seems quiet. Maybe from the upper deck of the Georgia Dome and on a laptop it’s hard to notice…
Final score: 38-20 VT. This isn’t too far fetched is it? I mean, they don’t play any defense at all in the Big 12 right? I’m such a homer. And I don’t know why I’m doing this, but player of the game will be Tyrod Taylor. I should really say Ryan Williams… Sticking with Tyrod against my better judgment, 3 TDs (2 in the air, 1 on the ground) and over 300 total yards. Yikes, I sound like a lunatic.
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