Virginia Tech Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Kentucky in Belk Bowl

1. Win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball

Both Ashby and Conner are going to crucial players for the Hokies’ defense. The entire defensive line, led by defensive end Emmanuel Belmar and nose tackle Jarrod Hewitt, will be crucial to stopping the RPO offense. Playing in a 4-2 defense, defensive linemen can close gaps that can make running the ball in the interior difficult. This type of defensive front will be beneficial to stopping a run focused Kentucky offense.

Defensive tackle Dashawn Crawford leads the line with six tackles for loss. The entire Hokies defensive line can have a huge impact on the game if they can stop key third downs. In key passing situations, the defensive line can’t afford to overshoot the quarterback in the pocket. This will create extra running room for Bowden to potentially get the first down and more.

The offensive line for the Hokies will be at their best when playing against a very efficient Wildcats defense. Throughout the season, their offensive line has given up 28 sacks and faced some inefficiencies in their run blocks. This defensive line of Kentucky can crash into the opposing backfield and create chaos. The Hokies’ line will need to push their blocks and open for Hooker and McClease. They will have more success against the Wildcats’ defense if they run more plays to the edge.