Top-10 foes collide in Blacksburg on Thursday
Blacksburg, VA (Sports Network) - A top-10 ACC showdown with possible national title implications takes place this Thursday night in Blacksburg, as the second-ranked and undefeated Boston College Eagles take on the eighth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies.
The Eagles are enjoying their highest ranking since 1942 and have really been impressive under first-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski, rolling off seven straight wins, their best start since that 1942 season when they started 8-0.
The Hokies have been impressive in their own right in 2007. With the exception of a disappointing performance in Baton Rouge against LSU early on, Frank Beamer's squad has been flawless and currently brings a five-game win streak into this game. Both teams have been idle for 12 days. The Eagles topped Notre Dame 24-17 last time they were on the field, while the Hokies routed Duke, 43-14. This is the 14th all-time meeting between these two programs, with Virginia Tech holding a 9-4 advantage. However, BC has won two of the last three meetings, including a 34-27 decision in Lane Stadium in 2003.
The Boston College offense has been somewhat overshadowed by the defense this year, but that does not mean that this is not a potent unit. In fact, led by Heisman hopeful Matt Ryan, the Eagles are rolling up over 450 yards of offense per game. Ryan of course, has been phenomenal, leading a passing attack that is netting just over 310 yards per outing. The senior signal-caller has completed a solid 63.2 percent of his passes thus far, for 2,148 yards with 17 TDs and six interceptions. He has certainly enjoyed spreading the ball around, with seven different receivers hauling in touchdown grabs. Brandon Robinson (30 receptions, for 402 yards and four TDs), Rich Gunnell (30 receptions, for 333 yards, three TDs), Kevin Challenger (27 receptions, for 313 yards and three TDs) and Andre Callender (26 receptions, for 266 yards and three TDs) provide more than enough targets downfield. Callender has also been outstanding in his efforts on the ground, with the veteran tailback averaging 5.0 yards per carry and scoring eight of the team's 12 rushing TDs to date.
The offense has been superb for BC this year, but still takes a backseat to the defensive unit. The Eagles have been downright scary on this side of the football, leading the nation in rush defense (46.4 ypg) as well as interceptions (18). The unit has been generous in terms of passing yards allowed (272.9), but that is due in large part to foes abandoning the ground game early on. The secondary is truly the strength of this defense, led by All-American candidates in seniors Jamie Silvia (team-high 55 tackles) and DeJuan Tribble (24 tackles). The pair have combined for nine picks this season. Fellow senior Jolonn Dunbar headlines the play in the linebacking corps (53 tackles, one INT) and sophomore Alex Albright (17 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) has been a force along the defensive front.
If forced to play in a shootout, Virginia Tech will certainly be out-manned in this game. The Hokies have relied on great special teams and timely defense to produce points more often than not this season and a stagnant offense has been left off the hook at times. The team is averaging a solid 28.1 ppg in 2007, but the offense is only responsible for a mediocre 298.8 yards per game. Inconsistent play under center has been the primary culprit, as Beamer has used both freshman Tyrod Taylor (640 yards passing and three TDs) and junior Sean Glennon (583 yards and three TDs). The lack of a bona fide threat downfield is evident, in the fact that WR Josh Morgan is the leading receiver, with just 22 catches, 275 yards and two TDs on the year. Another area of disappointment has been the play of tailback Branden Ore, who has seemed to take a step or two back in his progress this year. A talented runner for sure, Branden Ore has struggled in 2007, averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and 52.9 yards per game.
Virginia Tech has relied on strong defensive play under Frank Beamer and this season is no different. The team is yielding just 16.0 ppg, on 302.1 yards of total offense, showing the ability to stop both the run and the pass at times. This is a defense with star power, led by a trio of All-American candidates in linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi and shutdown cover corner Brandon Flowers. Hall currently leads the team in tackles with 61, adding 5.0 TFLs and two sacks to his statline. Adibi is right behind (59 tackles), with 8.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks. Flowers has good size (5-11, 200) and is not afraid to come up and deliver a hit. He is third on the team in tackles (46), with 7.0 TFLs. The defense as a whole has gotten upfield all season long, amassing 60 TFLs and 26 sacks, led by rush end Chris Ellis, who has five sacks on the year.
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