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Virginia Tech Football: Hokies look to keep bowl streak alive

By Dana Becker

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Ryan Willis #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball while being pursued by cornerback Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Ryan Willis #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies carries the ball while being pursued by cornerback Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half at Lane Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Virginia Tech football pulled off a miraculous victory last week to set the stage on the final Saturday of the season for a must-win contest with Marshall.

The Hokies need a victory over the Herd to secure their sixth win and become bowl eligible. Virginia Tech has qualified for the postseason every year since 1993 when they won the Independence Bowl over Indiana.

Since that time, they have played in the Sugar, Orange, San Francisco, Gator and most recently Camping World Bowl. The streak is currently the longest in the nation and fifth longest all-time.

But to make it 27 in a row, they will need to handle a Marshall team that has won three straight to get to 8-3 on the year. The Herd are coming off a 28-25 victory at Florida International, averaging 28 points and almost 380 yards per game. Freshman Isaiah Green is back at quarterback, racking up over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Hokies counter with Ryan Willis, who has stepped in as a replacement for Josh Jackson. Willis has 2,185 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, with Steven Peoples adding 682 yards and five scores on the ground.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Marshall and Virginia Tech:

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: Noon ET
Location: Blacksburg, Va.
Venue: Lane Stadium
TV: ACC Network
Live Stream: ACC Network | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

How Green responds to what the Virginia Tech defense throws at him will be important. A freshman, Green returned to the lineup after missing three games last month. He has since thrown for six touchdowns with three picks, including a 387-yard showing vs. UTSA.

More importantly, Marshall is 3-1 since his return under center and 6-2 with him as starting quarterback, including a loss to NC State. In that game, Green was 22-for-43 for 270 yards with a touchdown and two picks. For the Herd to pull the upset, he’ll need to do better through the air.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Point Spread: Virginia Tech -3.5
Over/Under: 51.5

Next. Picks for every conference championship game. dark

Prediction

This is such a huge game for both teams. Virginia Tech had to front the cash and agree to a future home-and-home with Marshall to secure an extra game and a chance to become bowl eligible. For the Herd, they can earn a huge ninth victory with the upset and keep the Hokies from going bowling.

Final score: Virginia Tech 21, Marshall 20

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