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#6 Notre Dame vs. #24 Virginia Tech: Stream, keys, and predictions

By Eric Robinson

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Khalil Ladler #9 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after a tackle for loss in the first quarter of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Khalil Ladler #9 of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts after a tackle for loss in the first quarter of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 22: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 22: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on September 22, 2018 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Keys To Victory

Halt The Hokies: Many viewers know that the Virginia Tech Hokies usually churn out a physical defense led by their stout defensive lines. The Irish lost a key starter on the offensive line in guard Alex Bars, who tore his ACL/MCL last week against Stanford. That loss led to a bunch of reshuffling on the line and Virginia Tech’s defensive line is 23rd in the country in tackles for loss and averaging nine per game. On the flip side, Notre Dame is 73rd in FBS in tackles for loss allowed and allow 5.80 TFLs per game. This is a factor that much be handled by the Irish offensive line or this will be a long evening against an aggressive defensive unit.

Calm The Nerves Of Book: So far, he has looked very stellar since being inserted as a starter two games ago. However, for the redshirt sophomore, this is Ian Book’s first big road test of his career. Book has taken command of the Irish offense by throwing for 616 yards and seven touchdowns in two games of work. It will be up to head coach Brian Kelly to ease Book into the environment and manage what will be thrown at him by a veteran defensive coordinator in Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster. Everyone around him must do their part. From receivers hauling in catchable passes to the offensive line keeping him upright and in control.

Getting Off The Field: It has not been a true deficiency this season but with the Notre Dame defense being set to take on a Virginia Tech offense that has a redshirt junior playing in the biggest game of his career, winning on third down defense will be significant. The Irish defense is 82nd in FBS in opposing third down conversions at a 39.7% rate. Against Stanford last week, the Irish held the Cardinal offense to just 3-of-13 on third downs but against Wake Forest, the defense allowed 11-of-21. Without their top quarterback, the Hokies offense will look to sustain drives in what is expected to be a close knit game. Getting them off the field on third downs will lead to inefficiency.

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