By Jimmy Robertson
BLACKSBURG – Bud Foster will be coaching in his final game at Lane Stadium when Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh square off a 3:30 p.m., and fittingly, the retiring defensive coordinator gave pretty much a consensus preview of what the game will be.
"As good as we played this last week, it's going to be a different game and a different mindset," he said. "It's going to be a physical football game. Pittsburgh is big and physical on both sides of the ball, and we're going to have to get ready for a 60-minute fistfight, so to speak."
The Panthers and Hokies will be squaring off in a game with pivotal Coastal Division implications. Both teams remain in the hunt for the division crown, and both enter the game with identical overall records (7-3) and conference marks (4-2).
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Both teams also come in hot. The Hokies have won five of their past six games, with the lone loss being a a21-20 decision at Notre Dame in a game in which they played without starting quarterback Hendon Hooker (injury). Pittsburgh has won six of its past seven games – a string that includes a 34-27 overtime win over North Carolina on Nov. 14.
The Hokies have blasted their past two opponents, winning by 45 over Georgia Tech and 19 over Wake Forest. Pittsburgh actually hasn't won by more than 10 points in any game this season. The young Panthers – they start just eight seniors – have won games by margins of one, three, three and three points this season.
But that also makes the Panthers dangerous. They know how to play in – and win – close games. And no one expects either the Hokies or the Panthers to blow away the other on Saturday.
So what actually transpires at Lane Stadium? Here are some things to watch:
Tech's offensive line – This was discussed in depth in an article on Tuesday (which one can ready by clicking here), but it bears revisiting. The Hokies start two true freshmen on the offensive line, and the Panthers lead the nation in sacks with 45. Rest assured, talented defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman, who has 9.5 sacks, likes his chances against center Bryan Hudson and guard Doug Nester.
Perhaps more problematic than protecting Hooker, though, is that the Hokies need to find a way to run the ball against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks seventh nationally, allowing just 90.9 yards rushing per game. Tech has rushed for more than 200 yards in four of its past five games – and that rejuvenated rushing attack certainly has sparked the Hokies' recent surge. That needs to continue.
This is the matchup of the game – the Hokies' rapidly improving offensive line versus Pittsburgh's talented defensive line. The winner probably leads the team to a victory.
Hendon Hooker – This feels like a game where Hooker needs to play well and probably needs to make some plays for the Hokies to win.
Hooker has played great for the Hokies in his five starts. He's completing 61 percent of his passes for nearly 1,000 yards, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. He's also rushed for four touchdowns.
But the Hokies have led in most of his starts. They never trailed against Miami, Rhode Island or Georgia Tech. They trailed for the first half of the North Carolina game – and he didn't play in the second half because of an injury – and they trailed for roughly 11 minutes in a 36-17 victory over Wake Forest.
In fact, they've only trailed for six minutes in the second half of Hooker's starts. So if the Hokies get behind by a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh, or say, by 10 points in the second half, can Hooker put together the drives needed to win the game?
Tech's staff and the Hokies' players express the ultimate confidence in Hooker's ability, and for sure, he possesses the talent to bring a team from behind. He just hasn't done it yet.
He may need to Saturday afternoon.
The turnover game – Yes, this seems like a "Captain Obvious" statement considering the importance of turnovers in the outcome of a game. Yet let's consider two things.
First, in two of Pittsburgh's three losses, the Panthers committed a combined five turnovers. Pittsburgh committed three turnovers in the first half of a 16-12 loss to Miami, and the 'Canes scored 10 points off of those. The Panthers committed two turnovers against Virginia in the season opener, and the Cavaliers scored touchdowns off both in a 30-14 victory.
Next, the Hokies have won five of their past six games, and in those five victories, they have turned the ball over just four times – all fumbles.
Turnovers simply matter – and they will matter Saturday.
Special teams – In close games – and this project to be a close game with the Hokies currently favored by 3.5 points – special teams usually comes into play.
Tech has been solid on special teams this season. Oscar Bradburn leads the nation in punting at 48.3 yards per game, and Brian Johnson has made 13 of his 17 field-goal attempts (though just 1 of 5 from beyond 40 yards). John Parker Romo has booted 34 of his 50 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Tayvion Robinson recently has provided a spark on punt returns. The coverage units haven't allowed anything of note.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has been a little inconsistent. Virginia blocked a punt against the Panthers, and that Pittsburgh miscue led to a Cavaliers touchdown. UCF scored on an 87-yard punt return. The Panthers are averaging just 6.6 yards per punt return and do not have a kick return longer than 26 yards. Kicker Alex Kessman is 16 of 24 on field-goal attempts, with three misses from inside of 40 yards.
A big play/score on special teams could turn the game. Of course, Tech has a reputation for big plays on special teams. Hopefully, the Hokies can get one against the Panthers.
In closing: Tech and the Panthers kick off at 3:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN2.