One week from today Boise State and the Virginia Tech Hokies tee it up in the much anticipated season opener at the FedEx Stadium in Washington DC. Both teams are ranked in the top 10. In the Coaches Poll BSU is #5 and VT is #6.
Both schools are known for their offense and both have good quarterbacks at the helm, Kellen Moore guiding Boise State and T.T. or Tyrod Taylor leads the Hokies. Where the biggest difference lies is in the running backs. Boise State returns all of their backs, J.D. Harper returning after a season ending injury in the third game of the season. He brings power and speed to the table, he can get to the corners and also does well as a north south power runner. Doug Martin who converted from the defense to replace Harper is a strong kid and gives the Broncos a much needed inside running attack. Jeremy Avery is the speed merchant if he makes it to the corner, watch out he can and does go all the way.
Virginia Tech may be featuring the best tandem of running backs in the schools history. Number 32 Jr Darren Evans and a 1,000 yard rusher. His freshman year he carried the ball 287 times for over 1,200 yards averaging over 4 yards per carry and 11 scores. He is also part of the good hands people as a receiver he had 17 receptions averaging over 6 yards per catch.
His running mate is just sophomore coming off a stellar freshman season. Ryan Williams #34 had an even stronger freshman year running the ball than did Evans. On 293 carries he collected 21 touchdowns averaging over 5 yards per carry for a total of 1,655 yards.
Add to the mix a new freshman that VT thinks might be better than Williams and Evans and you can see why I have to say the running game edge goes to VT. With Taylor`s ability to scramble and the way he runs Boise State will have its hands full.
Both teams have excellent wide receivers but here I give the edge to Boise State. Titus Young and Pettis are two of the best in the country. Titus is the speed merchant big play guy and Pettis is such a leaper that if the ball is thrown in his area, he will come down with it.
Both teams have a good defense and in Foster VT has one of the best DC's in the business. Boise State only lost one key player on defense, Kyle Wilson who is now with the Jets. They have their entire defensive line back and are making some adjustments at linebacker. Their safeties and corners make it tough to throw on them. VT is replacing several key players on defense. I have to give the edge to Boise State on defense.
What Virginia Tech has to do to win the game.
1, Run the ball and keep the offense in short yardage situations.
2. Wear down the Bronco defensive line.
3. Throw long and short passes to keep the defense honest.
What Boise State must do to win the game.
1. The defense has to give Boise good field position.
2. Slow down the running game.
3. Force two or more turnovers and force VT into three and outs.
In short Boise State's defense must beat Virginia Techs offense. Either way this game goes, it will be a good one, but I expect regardless of the two high powered offenses, it will be a low scoring affair. I think the under will be less than 40 points.
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