Virginia Tech football must not overlook a seemingly-hapless Duke squad

Virginia Tech football is searching for the start of a win streak as winless Duke is looking to find some sort of hope for the 2020 season.

With how much production returning in 2020, Virginia Tech has high hopes for a deep run for the ACC title. Their first contest against NC State showed promise as the Hokies punished the Wolfpack, 45-24.

Kansas transfer running back Khalil Herbert had an explosive day, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown on just six carries. Herbert was also the second leading receiver, with 46 yards on just two catches.

With original starting quarterback Hendon Hooker a game time decision, Justin Fuente ended up running a two-quarterback system with Oregon transfer Braxton Burmeister and Quincy Patterson II. They combined for 181 yards through the air with two touchdowns. Both touchdowns coming from the arm of Patterson.

Virginia Tech defensively, was sound as they forced two interceptions from sophomore quarterback Devin Leary and sacked him on six separate occasions.

For Duke, we’re just entering October and it is already a season to forget. Optimism was starting to brew after a hellacious effort in South Bend after hanging with top 10 Notre Dame the entire game. Things since then, have started to go downhill.

It was a good start for the Blue Devils as Chase Brice had two first half touchdown passes, to tight ends Noah Gray and Jake Marwede. Until Duke ran out of gas in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 21-0 in the final frame.

Brice ended up with four interceptions and Duke as a whole, turned the ball over an egregious seven times in the contest. Having that many turnovers is never going to have you in the win column.

Virginia Tech has a good chance to spread the field out and target Duke’s weakness, which is their secondary. Virginia Tech has good momentum coming off a resounding win. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils are deflated and are close to full desperation.

This is how you can watch the matchup between the Hokies and Blue Devils.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Durham, N.C.
Venue: Will Wade Stadium
TV: ACCN
Live Stream: ACC Network Live

Keys to Victory

First thing for Duke is to clean up the turnover issues offensively. Very few times does this offense seem in sync consistently and Brice cannot afford to throw four interceptions again.

Finding a true No. 1 target outside is going to be another question. Duke’s tight ends seem to be good options, but no one stands out from the wide receiver position. There are options, like sophomore Eli Pancol and junior Jake Bobo.

Finally, Duke must create some sort of pressure onto whichever quarterback is playing. Duke got to new quarterback Brennan Armstrong just once last week. With mobile guys like Hooker or Patterson under center, it makes their job much more difficult

As mentioned earlier, Virginia Tech just needs to spread the field out offensively and pick their poison. Trae Turner returns after being a big piece to the Hokies offense a season ago. You have the versatility as Herbert as a receiving option out of the backfield, to go with leading pass catcher from a week ago, tight end James Mitchell.

Getting the quarterback in a rhythm would probably be helpful as well. Virginia Tech only ran 58 plays on Saturday, and 41 of them ended up being runs. Getting the quarterbacks comfortable with consistently throwing (whichever one starts), has to be a key. Not only for this game, but games further down the road, where they’ll be needed.

Prediction

Virginia Tech come out of their contest against NC State better than expected. North Carolina State isn’t exactly near the top of the conference, but a respected win, considering the margin.

For Duke, there hasn’t been much optimism, after their trip to South Bend. The Blue Devils have been outscored 64-26 by teams that are near their level, talent wise.

Even with this being a road game for the Hokies, they come into Durham and get a rather comfortable lead. Herbert continues his impressive start as a Hokie and Brice gets picked off multiple times once again.

Final Score: Virginia Tech 35, Duke 17