Virginia Tech (7-2 5-0) vs. North Carolina (6-3 3-2)
Chapel Hill - 3:30 ABC/ESPN
Let me start off my pregame thoughts with a message to my good friend Troy Douglas the Defensive Backs Coach for the North Carolina Tarheels...
While working at a golf course this summer a man came up to me with a North Carolina hat on. He immediately started the conversation off with, "awful hat you got on there, son" (Referring to my Titleist Hokies hat). Biting my lip and being friendly, I responded with the courteous "Yea you got us this year, good game man." However, this man was relentless, talking non-stop about how they (UNC) came into our place on a Thursday night and whooped our ass. I shrugged it off time after time, but when he wouldn't let up, I finally let him have it, disregarding the possibility of getting fired. After a couple jokes about choking at the Meineke Car Care Bowl every year, his blood began to boil (Luckily for him, the suspensions as a result of their cheating team and gift giving had not come out yet). This just shook the Hornets nest and Mr. Douglas was right back at me. We went off and on for over 10 minutes telling each other what was on our mind. Finally he got in his car and left Virginia for good. I have never met a more arrogant, egotistical man in my life. He wouldn't let up about his "Number 1" defense and All-American secondary. Let's just say I have had this game circled on the calendar for some time. I will be in Chapel Hill this Saturday and hopefully we can come out with a big win against the Heels. I just don't want to win, I want to embarrass this team. I want Tyrod to go ham on their secondary and throws for 500 yards... I will love every minute of it. So Hokies I will see you down in Chapel Hill, meet me at Franklin St after a win. Let's hope the North Carolina secondary takes after their coach on the golf course (he shot a 99) and the Hokies come away big with the W.
Now that I got off my chest onto my Pregame Thoughts
North Carolina-
North Carolina comes into this game after a 4th quarter thriller against Florida State. Once again with a chance to win the game, Florida State missed a 40-yard field goal wide right (sound like a broken record... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYTp7IbZ2uY). What a turnaround for North Carolina Senior Quarterback T.J Yates. Last year he had a 60% completion rate and passed for 2136 yards along with 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Lets just say Yates got the same amount of grief that Glennon did his senior year. UNC fans were calling for Paulus to start, but Butch Davis held firm and kept him as a starter. The dividends for staying true to his starter have paid off this year. Yates have improved his completion rate to 66%. He has already surpassed his passing yards from last year, throwing for 2312 yards and 15 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions. The play of Yates this year is the only thing keeping the Heels successful after losing up to 31 starters due to injury or suspension throughout the season. Without his play the Heels would not be 6-3.
Virginia Tech-
The big story for the Hokies is injuries. The injury report this week informs that David Wilson is out with Mono, Chris Drager is still recovering from a hit against GT and Dyrell Roberts suffers from Compartment Syndrome.
These losses for the Hokies are huge but they open up doors for young players who haven’t recieved the chance to fully shine this year. Ryan Williams and promising running back Tony Gregory will take over the kick return duties. The redshirt freshman Gregory will look to take this as a second chance opportunity after 2 fumbles in late game blowouts. Marcus Davis a redshirt sophomore will be needed to take Dyrell Roberts spot as a reliable target for Tyrod Taylor. Davis has 11 catches for 115 yards on the year, but keep your eyes open for a break-out game. James Gayle and J.R. Collins will take over the end position for Drager with Gayle getting the majority of the snaps. This might affect Foster's whole-sale Defensive Line substitutions now that he can't bring in Gayle and Collins off the bench. While it was not a very deep defensive line in terms of depth before, the loss of Drager does not help at all.
Look for the Hokies to rely on Tyrod Taylor like they have all year. The emerging presence of Senior Tight End, Andre Smith will give Taylor another target with Roberts out. With a strong running attack from Ryan Williams and Darren Evans and bend but don't break defense, the Hokies should be successful.
Prediction
Virginia Tech 24 - North Carolina 14
Players To Watch
North Carolina - Dwight Jones - The Junior Wide Receiver has burst onto the scene recently with 602 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns in the last four games. With the loss of big time player Greg Little (NCAA Investigation), Jones has come alive as Yates favorite target and the two have been on a tear the past couple of games. The Hokies need a big game from Roc Carmichael and Jayron Hosley to help slow down the passing attack of the Heels. If the Hokies can get some pressure on Yates and force him into some bad throws, it will make the jobs of the Hokies secondary easier.
So stock up on your bourbon, take a load off onto your favorite chair, and get your popcorn ready. This game's a big one Hokies...
Cue Enter Sandman, walk down the tunnel, its time to hit the stone
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