BLACKSBURG – Everything is on the line for Virginia Tech on Saturday when the Hokies take on Marshall at Lane Stadium in the regular-season finale for both squads.
This game wasn't originally on the schedule, but Hurricane Florence forced several teams to make other scheduling arrangements, and the end result is that for the Hokies to become eligible for a bowl for the 26th straight season, they need to herd the Thundering Herd.
The task won't be easy. Marshall enters with an 8-3 record, having won three straight games and five of its past six. The Hokies snapped a four-game losing streak last Saturday with a 34-31 overtime win over rival Virginia – a win that moved them to 5-6 overall, got them a step closer to bowl eligibility, and resulted in the scheduling of Saturday's game.
It's been a wacky year for the Hokies – one that has included off-field issues, injuries, great moments (North Carolina) and not-so-great moments (Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Miami).
But … Tech has positioned itself for this opportunity.
So what needs to happened for Tech to continue its bowl streak? Here are some things to watch:
Tech's start – The Hokies have gotten off to good starts in several games. In fact, Tech has scored first in eight of its 11 games this season and won five of those. Many fans know the numbers by now, as Tech enters the Marshall game with a 21-5 record under head coach Justin Fuente when scoring first.
There also is another extremely important reason for the Hokies to get on the board first – Marshall struggles to come from behind. In the Marshall's three losses this season, it failed to score first in all three.
The Hokies would do well to follow NC State's model. The Wolfpack jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never trailed in beating the Thundering Herd 37-20 in Huntington, West Virginia.
But scoring first won't be easy. Marshall's defense has held opponents to just 22 first-quarter points this season.
Force Marshall turnovers – This may be the most important part of the game, as it usually is when discussing how to win a game. Marshall enters the game having turned the ball over 22 times in 11 games. That number ranks tied for 98th nationally.
A little deeper dive in this area reveals even more. In its three losses, Marshall has turned the ball over 10 times, including four in its loss to Southern Miss on Nov. 3 – and Southern Miss returned a fumble for a touchdown in that one.
On the flip side, the Hokies' defense hasn't been particularly great at forcing turnovers – just 16 on the season, with five of those coming in the season opener against Florida State. But the Hokies forced three against Virginia last Saturday, so hopefully that represents the start of a trend.
Can Tech stop the run? – The Hokies are allowing 204.2 yards rushing per game this season, a number that ranks 103rd nationally. But the Thundering Herd only average 148.9 yards rushing per game, a number that ranks 93rd nationally.
So what gives Saturday?
Well, statistically, Marshall is not an offensive juggernaut (88th nationally in total offense, 74th in scoring offense). It wins with great defense, which often provides opportunities for the offense. As for Tech, when it stops the run, it usually bodes well. Tech is 4-1 when allowing 165 yards rushing or fewer this season.
But stopping the run is important in this game when one analyzes Marshall. In two of its three losses, it rushed for 55 yards or less.
So this is an area to watch Saturday.
Can Tech run the ball? – Lost amid the big plays and breaks that the Hokies secured in their thrilling, overtime win over Virginia this past Saturday was the performance of their rushing attack.
Tech rushed for 254 yards – its best performance against a Power 5 team this season. In fact, the Hokies only rushed for more yards in a game this season against Old Dominion (318) and William & Mary (305). Steven Peoples led the attack with 96 yards, which marked the second-best performance of his career (156, ODU).
Can it continue? While known for big plays on offense – courtesy of a tradition set by Randy Moss, Chad Pennington, Byron Leftwich, etc. – Marshall has played excellent across the board on the other side of the ball this season. The Thundering Herd rank sixth nationally in rush defense (100.45 ypg) and stand as one of just four teams not to allow a 100-yard rusher this fall.
Who wins the third quarter? – Shortly before the second half of the Hokies' game against Virginia, award-winning columnist David Teel from The Daily Press out of Newport News tweeted the following:
"Now, for the most chilling words in Hokies football lexicon: third quarter."
Tech has been outscored 105-56 in the third quarter this season. The Hokies have outscored just four teams in the third quarter – William & Mary, ODU, Duke and Pitt. Coincidentally, they won three of those. Yet overall, the struggles have been perplexing and inexplicable.
Marshall has been consistent in the third quarter this season, outscoring opponents 82-55. But consider the following: Marshall has been outscored in the third quarter just twice all season – and lost both times.
The game kicks off at noon. For those interested in attending the game, there are tickets still available. Those can be purchased by clicking here.
