Hokies Tread Water Against Florida State, Setting Up Important Test vs. Wake Forest
Hokies Tread Water Against Florida State, Setting Up Important Test vs. Wake Forest
Virginia Tech played as expected on Saturday vs. Florida State. But a similar performance vs. the Demon Deacons would have different implications.
While this past Saturday vs. Florida State may have been Virginia Tech’s toughest test on the field, this coming Saturday’s exam against Wake Forest is far more important.
The Hokies played at a talent disadvantage in Tallahassee, and it showed. Tech hung around through the first two quarters and after a 99-yard kick return touchdown from Bhayshul Tuten to open the second half, it seemed like Virginia Tech had a shot at earning high marks. As expected, however, Florida State rattled off 17 straight points to close out the Hokies on their way to a 22-point win.
Virginia Tech didn’t move the needle on Saturday. Their plucky performance for the first 30 minutes and 13 seconds was largely offset by offensive stagnation and defensive ineptitude for the remainder of the game. The outcome did not positively nor negatively impact my view on the rest of the Hokies’ season.
The same cannot be said for this coming Saturday, when Tech takes a different kind of exam. The Hokies will once again be on relatively level footing with the Demon Deacons in terms of talent, and Wake is reeling from consecutive losses to Georgia Tech and Clemson. To Wake’s credit, that 17-12 defeat in Death Valley was a respectable showing, but a loss nonetheless.
I preached consistency after the Hokies’ win over Pittsburgh. Virginia Tech needed to, and still needs to, be able to duplicate positive performances from week-to-week. The Hokies’ failed to do that on Saturday against the ‘Noles.
Kyron Drones was mostly ineffective on Saturday — he threw for just 104 yards but did add 80 yards on the ground. One week removed from his masterful five-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh, Drones must refocus and deliver against a defense that has allowed 30 points just once this season. The same can be said for Tuten and his offensive line, as Tuten followed up his 146 total yards against the Panthers with just 54 yards on offense against Florida State.
Saturday also presents a chance for Virginia Tech’s defense to atone for another round of defensive miscues. Florida State nearly crossed the 300-yard mark on the ground, with Trey Benson scampering for 200 yards and two scores. The Seminoles averaged a staggering 7.4 yards per rush, aided by 62-yard and 85-yard scores from Benson in the second half.
Tech fans can forgive the Hokies for faltering in the second half against Florida State — LSU did the same thing in Week 1 and the ‘Noles are firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation at 5-0. But failing the Wake Forest test on Saturday will illicit much different reactions and rightfully so.
Wake Forest is eminently beatable. Dave Clawson’s offense continues suffer from Sam Hartman’s departure, meaning the Hokies shouldn’t need to light up the scoreboard on Saturday. They’ll face a competent but unremarkable defense on the other side. This isn’t the same test as last week.
Instead, this assessment means much more in Brent Pry’s overall performance in Year Two. Virginia Tech better hit the books, or else their sterling score against Pittsburgh will start to look fraudulent.