Virginia Tech Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2020
By James Bowers
Week 9: Virginia Tech football at Louisville (Oct. 31)
Scott Satterfield put the wheels back on Louisville’s football program with a strong 8-5 record in 2019. The losses were pretty painful, but the team showed that there is life after Lamar Jackson with a victory over Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl.
The Cardinals will be happy to have redshirt sophomore quarterback Micale Cunnigham and receiver Chatarius Atwell returning. The former was often injured but did well when he did play. Sophomore Evan Conley played remarkably in relief of Cunningham, leading drives for game winning scores against Boston College and Wake Forest. He is certainly a nice option to have on the bench if anything should happen to Cunnigham.
Defensively, CJ Avery and Rodjay Burns come back to lead Louisville’s linebacking corps. The secondary is a bit of a liability and the right receiving corps can exploit it.
Virginia Tech last played Louisville in the 2006 Gator Bowl. Marcus Vick keyed a 35-24 win for the Hokies. This will be the first Hokie-Cardinal meeting as ACC foes. Honestly, Louisville looks good, and a defense that adds some great newcomers like Yaya Diaby. The return of Javian Hawkins gives them a nice option offensively.
Louisville’s depth and home field gives them the momentum here.
Prediction: Louisville 31, Virginia Tech 24 (5-3, 2-2)