100th meeting of Virginia Tech and UVa finds Cavaliers in good position to snap slide against rival Hokies
Battle for the Commonwealth Cup
Virginia (7-4) at Virginia Tech (4-6), 3:30 p.m. ABC
Has anyone told you that Virginia Tech has beaten Virginia 14 times in a row? Yeah probably. UVa fans are tired of hearing it, and the players probably are, too. UVa coach Bronco Mendenhall gave his players the choice to be available to the media this week or not, and they chose not to be, instead focusing solely on the game. This rubbed some in the media the wrong way, but if UVa wins, no one is really going to care, even if a few journalists do ask about it after the game. If Virginia is victorious, the players will be happy to oblige and say we focused just on the game, and it paid off.
Virginia (7-4) at Virginia Tech (4-6), 3:30 p.m. ABC
Has anyone told you that Virginia Tech has beaten Virginia 14 times in a row? Yeah probably. UVa fans are tired of hearing it, and the players probably are, too. UVa coach Bronco Mendenhall gave his players the choice to be available to the media this week or not, and they chose not to be, instead focusing solely on the game. This rubbed some in the media the wrong way, but if UVa wins, no one is really going to care, even if a few journalists do ask about it after the game. If Virginia is victorious, the players will be happy to oblige and say we focused just on the game, and it paid off.
"The Streak" has taken on a life of its own, and despite the fact that the Cavaliers have been playing better than the Hokies for much of the season, it is a reason many UVa fans can't believe a win over Tech will happen until they see it and aren't feeling confident this week. It psychologically weighs on the 'Hoos, but hopefully just the fans more so than the players.
Despite Tech's dominance since 2004 -- Virginia's last win in the series came in 2003 in Charlottesville by a score of 35-21 -- some of the games in The Streak have been competitive,
particularly 2004, 2007 (for about three quarters), 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2015. Even last season was just 10-0. UVa had a shot with a more competent offense. For various reasons, whether it be luck, poor play calling, bad game management, or questionable refereeing, Virginia just hasn't come out on top in these close games. In 2007 and 2011, the game was for the division title. The first one was fairly competitive, and Virginia led 13-7 before a late first-half pick thrown by Jameel Sewell turned into a 14-13 Tech lead at the half. Tech won, 33-21. The second one was not close at all. The Hokies crushed the Cavaliers, 38-0. Both games were in Charlottesville, which makes those contests doubly frustrating.
Today, Virginia has a really good chance to end The Streak in what happens to be the 100th meeting between the longtime rivals. The 'Hoos are favored for the first time in the series for God knows how long. As I'm writing this, UVa is listed as a 4.5-point favorite on ESPN.com. Interestingly, the site's predictor favors Tech, but microscopically: 50.1 percent to 49.9.
Virginia Tech is really struggling. The Hokies have lost four straight games and five of six. In that time frame, the offense has been up and down, averaging 21.7 points. But the defense is what has really let the team down. Forever the Hokies' cornerstone, Tech's defense has flopped this year under the weight of injuries and inexperience. In the same six-game stretch, Bud Foster's unit is giving up 39 ppg. For the season, the Hokies' defense ranks 90th in points per game allowed (Virginia is 23rd), 64th in passing yards per game allowed (UVa 15th), 107th in rushing yards allowed per game (UVa 47th), and 99th in average total yards allowed (UVa 22nd).
Virginia QB Bryce Perkins briefly exited last week's loss to Georgia Tech with an injury but came back. That was the hardest moment of the game for me. He looked like he was really in pain, and it seemed as if in that instant there would be no way he'd come back for this week. The one thing I didn't want to have happen happened. Even more important than winning the game was keeping him healthy. Pittsburgh had beaten Wake Forest earlier in the day, which meant it had clinched the division title, so the game was really only being played for pride and for both teams to try to improve their chances at a good bowl. But Perkins came back and looked pretty good. He ran and passed well. It's worth noting that true freshman backup Brennan Armstrong looked very good, too, leading the Cavaliers on a TD on his only drive. He continues to impress in the times he's seen the field this year.
Perkins should have plenty of
opportunities to gain yardage through the air and on the ground against the Hokies. Jordan Ellis, Olamide Zaccheaus -- all of Virginia's weapons have chances for good games. I hope offensive coordinator Robert Anae doesn't complicate things. Sometimes you think you need gimmicks to win a big game, or that Virginia would definitely need to throw the kitchen sink at Tech to beat it. But I don't know if that is the case. Yes, Foster has dominated the 'Hoos for years. In The Streak, UVa has yet to score more than 21 points, and Foster has directed three shutouts. But this Tech defense just looks different, and with Perkins running the offense, it has been dynamic at times. Just play a good, solid game, don't turn the ball over or commit a ton of penalties, take what have been the best plays this season, and just run them. And for goodness' sakes, keep it simple if backed up on the goal line. Don't make the situation unnecessarily dangerous for Perkins. Some of that is on Perkins. He needs to learn to get rid of the ball more quickly and/or escape trouble more swiftly.
At QB, Tech has had Kansas transfer Ryan Willis filling in for Josh Jackson, who injured his leg during Old Dominion's big upset of the Hokies in September. Willis has played decently, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,986 yards (7.25 yards per attempt), 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He can run, too, and is second on the team with 295 rushing yards and three scores. Steven Peoples leads Tech in rushing with 586 yards (5.1 ypc) and five scores. Ball State transfer Damon Hazelton paces the receiving corps with 45 catches for 745 yards and eight TDs, with Eric Kumah close behind with 34 receptions for 437 yards and five scores.
This game has been the entire focus of UVa's season. Each week after a win, Mendenhall, with the help of the team, has selected a player of the game to "Break the Rock." The team has 12 slabs of rock, each with an opponent's logo on it. But each rock has Virginia Tech's "VT" logo on it as well. The other main goal for 2018, besides beating Tech, was winning a bowl game. That opportunity will come later. Many prognosticators, including yours truly, didn't think the team would even get back to a bowl game, and it did. So kudos to the 'Hoos for clearing that hurdle a month ago, easily.
Positive signs abound for the Cavaliers in this contest. They've just been better than the Hokies for a while now. The offense has been more explosive, the defense stingier. Mendenhall has Virginia headed on an upward trajectory, strictly looking at wins, while Justin Fuente, also in his third season,
is certain to lead the Hokies to their fewest victories in his tenure since they won 10 in 2016 and nine last season. The most games Tech can win this year is seven, if it beats UVa, then Marshall next week in a tacked-on game where the Hokies hope to attain bowl eligibility, and then a bowl, if they get to one.
But we've all seen how seriously Tech takes this game. It is as if the players' lives depended on the outcome. Too often, it didn't seem like a big deal to the 'Hoos. But the emphasis has been real this year. This will not be an easy game. It's in Blacksburg, and it'll be cold. At least it won't be raining (UVa's offense sputtered in water against Indiana and Pitt). Other years, the game has appeared even going in, and then the Hokies invariably play their best game of the year, or close to it, while the 'Hoos fail to rise to the occasion. I said a while back I would not pick UVa in this matchup until it actually wins one against Tech. Just one. So I'm sticking to my guns. But Virginia certainly has a great chance to end the misery. Anyone paying attention the past few weeks has noticed that. Now it is time for the players to go out and prove it. To themselves, the Hokies, and the naysayers. I'm ready to eat a heaping portion of crow, or rather turkey this Thanksgiving.
Virginia Tech 29, Virginia 27
Other picks for Friday games
War on I-4
No. 9 UCF (10-0) at South Florida (7-4), 4:15 p.m. ESPN
UCF 45, South Florida 28
No. 6 Oklahoma (10-1) at No. 13 West Virginia (8-2), 8 p.m. ESPN
Oklahoma 41, West Virginia 38
Apple Cup
No. 16 Washington (8-3) at No. 8 Washington State (10-1), 8:30 p.m. Fox
Washington State 31, Washington 27
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| Tight end Heath Miller was one of the Cavaliers' stars when UVa last beat the Hokies in 2003. |
Today, Virginia has a really good chance to end The Streak in what happens to be the 100th meeting between the longtime rivals. The 'Hoos are favored for the first time in the series for God knows how long. As I'm writing this, UVa is listed as a 4.5-point favorite on ESPN.com. Interestingly, the site's predictor favors Tech, but microscopically: 50.1 percent to 49.9.
Virginia Tech is really struggling. The Hokies have lost four straight games and five of six. In that time frame, the offense has been up and down, averaging 21.7 points. But the defense is what has really let the team down. Forever the Hokies' cornerstone, Tech's defense has flopped this year under the weight of injuries and inexperience. In the same six-game stretch, Bud Foster's unit is giving up 39 ppg. For the season, the Hokies' defense ranks 90th in points per game allowed (Virginia is 23rd), 64th in passing yards per game allowed (UVa 15th), 107th in rushing yards allowed per game (UVa 47th), and 99th in average total yards allowed (UVa 22nd).
Virginia QB Bryce Perkins briefly exited last week's loss to Georgia Tech with an injury but came back. That was the hardest moment of the game for me. He looked like he was really in pain, and it seemed as if in that instant there would be no way he'd come back for this week. The one thing I didn't want to have happen happened. Even more important than winning the game was keeping him healthy. Pittsburgh had beaten Wake Forest earlier in the day, which meant it had clinched the division title, so the game was really only being played for pride and for both teams to try to improve their chances at a good bowl. But Perkins came back and looked pretty good. He ran and passed well. It's worth noting that true freshman backup Brennan Armstrong looked very good, too, leading the Cavaliers on a TD on his only drive. He continues to impress in the times he's seen the field this year.
Perkins should have plenty of
 |
| Bryce Perkins was banged up last week against Georgia Tech, but he came back into the game and played well, which should be a good sign for his availability today. |
At QB, Tech has had Kansas transfer Ryan Willis filling in for Josh Jackson, who injured his leg during Old Dominion's big upset of the Hokies in September. Willis has played decently, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,986 yards (7.25 yards per attempt), 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He can run, too, and is second on the team with 295 rushing yards and three scores. Steven Peoples leads Tech in rushing with 586 yards (5.1 ypc) and five scores. Ball State transfer Damon Hazelton paces the receiving corps with 45 catches for 745 yards and eight TDs, with Eric Kumah close behind with 34 receptions for 437 yards and five scores.
This game has been the entire focus of UVa's season. Each week after a win, Mendenhall, with the help of the team, has selected a player of the game to "Break the Rock." The team has 12 slabs of rock, each with an opponent's logo on it. But each rock has Virginia Tech's "VT" logo on it as well. The other main goal for 2018, besides beating Tech, was winning a bowl game. That opportunity will come later. Many prognosticators, including yours truly, didn't think the team would even get back to a bowl game, and it did. So kudos to the 'Hoos for clearing that hurdle a month ago, easily.
Positive signs abound for the Cavaliers in this contest. They've just been better than the Hokies for a while now. The offense has been more explosive, the defense stingier. Mendenhall has Virginia headed on an upward trajectory, strictly looking at wins, while Justin Fuente, also in his third season,
But we've all seen how seriously Tech takes this game. It is as if the players' lives depended on the outcome. Too often, it didn't seem like a big deal to the 'Hoos. But the emphasis has been real this year. This will not be an easy game. It's in Blacksburg, and it'll be cold. At least it won't be raining (UVa's offense sputtered in water against Indiana and Pitt). Other years, the game has appeared even going in, and then the Hokies invariably play their best game of the year, or close to it, while the 'Hoos fail to rise to the occasion. I said a while back I would not pick UVa in this matchup until it actually wins one against Tech. Just one. So I'm sticking to my guns. But Virginia certainly has a great chance to end the misery. Anyone paying attention the past few weeks has noticed that. Now it is time for the players to go out and prove it. To themselves, the Hokies, and the naysayers. I'm ready to eat a heaping portion of crow, or rather turkey this Thanksgiving.
Virginia Tech 29, Virginia 27
Other picks for Friday games
War on I-4
No. 9 UCF (10-0) at South Florida (7-4), 4:15 p.m. ESPN
UCF 45, South Florida 28
No. 6 Oklahoma (10-1) at No. 13 West Virginia (8-2), 8 p.m. ESPN
Oklahoma 41, West Virginia 38
Apple Cup
No. 16 Washington (8-3) at No. 8 Washington State (10-1), 8:30 p.m. Fox
Washington State 31, Washington 27
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