West Virginia vs Virginia Tech: 3 bold predictions

1. The Hokies will win off a big special teams play

The Virginia Tech Hokies will win this game on a big special teams play. Whether it’s a blocked field goal, a blocked punt, a field goal in the final seconds, the Hokies have a bit of an edge coming in on defense.

In a perfect world, the defense will do more than enough to stifle a balanced West Virginia Mountaineers offensive attack.

The game has the feel of one that the Hokies are made to lose than one where the Mountaineers would beat them soundly, but stranger things have happened.

Virginia Tech had five fumbles in their neutral site game against the Tennessee Volunteers last season. They lost that game 45-24.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs had 14 carries for 106 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also had 91 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.

The Hokies did themselves in with their fair share of turnovers and blunders, but they matured as the 2017 season progressed.

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The maturation process takes a step in the right direction here as the final gamble goes in the Hokies’ favor. Despite their youth, the Virginia Tech Hokies will win this game at the hands of a big special teams play.

Justin Fuente has gotten all the little things right since signing on as head coach at Virginia Tech. It should pay off with a nail-biting victor in Week 1.