Virginia Tech Football: Can Hokies keep hot streak alive at Pitt?

Virginia Tech football travels to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at Heinz Field. Can the Hokies keep their incredible hot streak alive?

It’s winner take all as the Virginia Tech Hokies travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at Heinz Field in ACC Coastal action.

The Panthers (7-3, 4-2) and the Virginia Tech Hokies (7-3, 4-2) are part of  a three-way tie atop the division. The winner of this game keeps pace with the Virginia Cavaliers (7-3, 5-2). The loser is all but eliminated from championship game contender in the ACC.

No one really knew what to make of the Hokies after their 45-10 loss to the Duke Blue Devils a month and a half ago. They were 2-2, struggling to find both their identity and their chemistry with head coach Justin Fuente. Since that game, they’ve won 5-of-6 and sit tied atop the always interesting ACC Coastal. They are doing it with a one-two punch of running back Deshawn McClease and quarterback Hendon Hooker and a defense that is young, but steadily improving.

Pitt is, well, Pitt. The Panthers do it with defense and a volume passing game. If we’ve learned anything this season about the Panthers it’s that they have no problem playing close games, and winning them. Seven of Pitt’s 10 games have been one-possession affairs. The Panthers have won five of those seven games. Who could forget the “Pitt Special” against UCF?

This one won’t disappoint as we flesh out the Coastal.

Here’s more information about the game:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Heinz Field
Location: Pittsburgh, Penn.
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

The Pittsburgh Panthers have one mission in this game, get to the quarterback. Pitt has four players with at least five sacks this season. Their bread is definitely buttered with the pass rush; they lead the nation in sacks this season. Pitt has no issue mucking up the game, and playing close deep into the fourth quarter.

Conversely, the Hokies have to protect their quarterback. Hendon Hooker has to have time to throw the ball; they don’t want to be one-dimensional. The Hokies didn’t run the ball particularly well against Georgia Tech — save two explosive runs, they averaged only 3.4 yards per carry.

The Hokies need offensive balance. Defensively they need turnovers. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett will turn the ball over. He has eight interceptions. The Hokies can get after the quarterback as well; they are tied for 11th in the country in sacks.

Prediction

This game is going to be tight. Both the Hokies’ and Panthers’ defensive fronts will give the opposing offenses fits all games. Neither the Hokies nor Panthers will have issues getting to the quarterback. Close games usually favor Pitt, but the Hokies will send the “Pitt Special” back to the cook because the hash browns were under-cooked. Kenny Pickett throws the critical interception and the Hokies win a close one at Heinz.

Final Score: Pitt 21, Virginia Tech 24