College football version of Big Ten/ACC Challenge on tap in Week 3
By Mark Rogers
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech at Purdue
We know the Big Ten’s best can beat the Hokies. How bout the Big Ten’s worst? Purdue is 1-1 after a 38-14 win over Indiana State following a lost opportunity at Marshall 41-31. Austin Appleby’s pick six on the final drive cost the Boilers a shot at pulling off the mild upset.
Darrell Hazell’s team appears more capable than the past two editions. Appleby threw a pair of pick six’s at Marshall. He now has thrown 15 interceptions to match 15 TD’s since the start of 2014. Highly touted freshman David Blough may get a look soon after competing for the starting job in August. DJ Knox is the main ball carrier with 193 yards.
Virginia Tech lost starting quarterback Michael Brewer vs the Buckeyes. The Hokies were trailing the nation’s #1 team by just four points in the third quarter when Brewer broke his collarbone. Brenden Motley is a dual threat guy who, understandably, struggled against Ohio State. The Furman Paladins were much kinder as Motley hit on 16 of 24 for 233 yards with 2 TD and no picks in a 42-3 win.
The Hokies present a serious challenge on defense. The line is loaded with Luther Maddy, Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem (25.5 combined TFL in 2014). The secondary boasts future NFL corners Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson.
I’m expecting the Hokies to game plan conservatively, control the clock and the line of scrimmage. Purdue will have issues scoring, but may stay in the game.
Line: Virginia Tech by 6
Hokies are too much for Boilers, 26-13
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