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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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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a second quarter touchdown a celebrates with his teammates during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a second quarter touchdown a celebrates with his teammates during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Prediction

This is the second game in a home-and-home series between these two programs. The first took place in South Bend in 2016 where the Hokies mounted a second-half comeback and walked out with a 34-31 victory.

This game expects to be a loud environment with an opportunity for the Hokies to get back on track with their second win in a row over a ranked team. Virginia Tech has a new quarterback in place in Ryan Willis, who transferred to Virginia Tech from Kansas. Willis came in relief of former starter Josh Jackson, who broke his left fibula in the contest against Old Dominion. The first start for Willis came last week against Duke, in which he passed for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad at all.

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However, he will be tested by a better defense in Notre Dame. Linebackers Te’von Coney and Drue Tranquill lead an Irish defense that is 36th in the country in overall defense and also has the nation’s sack leader in defensive lineman Jerry Tillery.

To help Willis, Virginia Tech running backs Steven Peoples and Deshawn McClease will be looked upon to elevate the run game for the Hokies. That will take pressure of the shoulders of Willis but eventually, he will have to make a few plays in order for Virginia Tech to get the upset.

The atmosphere will be electric and it will be up to Book to continue his play the past few weeks and connect with his big receivers in Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool. The Hokies will have to be active in all three phases. The presence of Beamer Ball can turn the game on it’s axis. While the Irish may not have a ton of household names on defense, it has been a tough unit overall and is good enough to weather this tough environment and make life a little easier for their young quarterback.

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Score: Notre Dame 28 Virginia Tech 24

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