Behind Enemy Lines: Virginia Tech
Andy Backstrom (
@andybackstrom)
Publisher
Virginia Tech dropped its season opener in horrific fashion, committing 15 penalties and five turnovers in a loss to Old Dominion.
But the Hokies did do some good things last week. The performance wasn't exactly indicative of what kind of team Boston College will be facing Saturday night in Lane Stadium.
So, here at Eagle Action, we reached out to
HokieHaven publisher Tim Sullivan to learn more about Virginia Tech.
Q: How much does quarterback Grant Wells' interception rate concern you this season?
Sullivan: If we're talking a scale of 1-5, probably just like a 2. Of the four interceptions, one was a Hail Mary (which might as well be credited to "team"), and one went directly through a receiver's hands to a defensive back. The other two have some culpability for Wells—a miscommunication with a receiver where the throw went into an area with only defenders on a corner route, and a pass behind a receiver that was undercut by a DB. For the most part, they're things that the first live action with a new team should be able to clear up pretty quickly.
Q: How important is Kaleb Smith to the wide receiver room? And who steps up if he can't go Saturday?
Sullivan: Smith's importance is hard to quantify. He's historically had the dropsies, and physically is not the same sort of explosive player as a lot of the other guys in that room. But his leadership and willingness to do the little things have always been factors that endear him to his coaches and teammates. If he's out? Someone who's perhaps more talented on the physical side steps in. But it's the respect he commands that'd be tough to replace. Temple transfer Jadan Blue was limited with injury last week and played sparingly against Old Dominion, but is working back to full health. He likely splits snaps with (or overtakes) Smith as the possession guy over the course of the year anyway. Beyond that, it's a number of unproven freshmen.
Q: Is Keshawn King good enough to remain RB1 when Malachi Thomas returns? Was last week a sign of things to come, in terms of his production?
Sullivan: King has talent, he's just had horrible luck with injury over the past two years (and as a true freshman, didn't have the size to be an every-down guy). There's a big role for him—and for sixth-year senior power back Jalen Holston—even when Thomas returns. But there's no question that Thomas has the best combination of skills, even if he's not elite in any one category like some of the other guys might be. More situational play and true rotation are likely when the room is fully healthy.
Q: Generating pass rush was an issue for Virginia Tech last year. Do you expect that to be the case again this season?
Sullivan: Yes. Amare Barno was a guy who looked and ran like a million bucks, but didn't have the goods when it came to position-specific skills. The guys who are going to play in his absence are the ones who were stuck behind him on the depth chart last year as he failed to produce much of anything after an impressive season-opening game against North Carolina. The bright side is that TyJuan Garbutt (who spent most of 2020 away from football dealing with an ill father) and Cole Nelson/Eli Adams are going to be more technique-sound and better able to make the most of their athletic ability. But there's no question that they don't have that athleticism that Barno brought to the table. The Hokies will likely feature significant blitzing to get pressure against better lines.
Q: Who are three players to know on Virginia Tech's defense and why?
Sullivan: Dax Hollifield is the biggest one: he's going to be a four-year starter and five-year major contributor by the end of the year (thanks to the Covid eligibility freeze in 2020), and has the sort of "lunch pail" mentality that was all-too scarce during the Justin Fuente era. He's a good-not-great athlete and is prone to forcing things to try to make a play, and therefore getting caught out of position. We saw less of that against ODU, so if it was a matter of improved coaching under a new regime (rather than a strength-of-opposition mirage), he could be in line for a monster year. Safety Chamarri Conner racked up huge numbers as a hybrid defender in a 4-2-5 over the past few years, and should do the same as he becomes the extra body in the box this year. Cornerback Armani Chatman has flown under the radar a bit because he's not always making the flashy play, but he's a good cover corner, with a hunger for the ball.
Q: Finish the following sentence, Virginia Tech will win this game if…
Sullivan: They take care of the ball. Friday evening's game was a blowout everywhere but the scoreboard. But when the quarterback throws four interceptions and you have a 10-point swing on a special-teams play, suddenly doubling up the opponent on yards per play doesn't turn into success on the scoreboard.
Q: Prediction for the game and why?
Sullivan: Virginia Tech wins, 21-17. The Hokies looked bad if you just glance at the scoreboard last weekend, but a look at the box score tells you they treated Old Dominion, well, like Old Dominion on a down-to-down basis. They're angry and frustrated about the way last weekend turned out, and want to have a similar performance without The Big Mistake this time around. A gameplan to protect Wells a little bit more means fewer explosive plays, but also a team that can move the ball in spurts and prevent the opponent from doing the same.
