Hokie ClubLooking to secure arguably its biggest victory in the Brent Pry era, Virginia Tech eyes knocking off No. 19 Clemson inside Lane Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN.
Premium Takeaways
When looking at what goes into knocking off a top-25 team, the emphasis on winning the turnover battle remains as important as ever when the Tigers roll into town.
Luckily for the Hokies, they’ve forced their fair share of takeaways so far this season, having generated 16 turnovers over the course of the campaign. That’s tied for fourth in the ACC when it comes to turnovers imposed, with Tech also creating a takeaway in its last eight games.
Saturday won’t come without a challenge, though. Clemson’s only turned the ball over a mere four times in 2024, a mark tied for second nationally, and an impressive feat accomplished throughout the year.
That sets up an intriguing matchup on Saturday, with the Hokies needing to generate some takeaways and ride the momentum to a signature win.
Looking In The Mirror
Though still questionable, running back Bhayshul Tuten has willed Tech into one of the more potent rushing offenses in all of college football. In eight games, Tuten amassed 951 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns en route to his most productive season as a Hokie.
Tack on what the combination of Malachi Thomas and Jeremiah Coney did on the road last week against Syracuse, and the Hokies have solidified themselves as a prolific group that can threaten any opposing defense week in and week out.
After Thomas and Coney combined for 169 yards and a touchdown against Syracuse, Tech finds itself ranked 26th nationally when it comes to the ground game, averaging just over 201 yards per game and 5.21 yards per carry.
On the flip side, the Tigers are pretty good there, too. Clemson leads the ACC in rushing offense with nearly 203 yards per game and 5.71 yards a run. That’s good for 22nd in the country, with the ground game having carried the Tigers on the offensive side of the ball.
Bowling On Deck
With a win on Saturday, the Hokies would earn the right to go bowling for the 30th time in the last 32 seasons.
It would also mark the first time in the Pry era that Tech clinched the right to go to the postseason in back-to-back years, with the Hokies having participated in the 2023 Military Bowl a season ago.
There’s still lots of football to be played and still larger goals ahead, but a victory this weekend would allow Tech to both check off another mini-milestone and secure its first ranked win inside Lane Stadium since taking down No. 10 North Carolina in 2021.
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