No. 16 Virginia Tech (4-1, 0-1 ACC) at Boston College (2-3, 0-2), Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET (ESPN2) Line: Virginia Tech by 16 ½. Series record: Virginia Tech leads 17-8. WHAT’S AT STAKE Its loss to second-ranked Clemson has removed all,
No. 16 Virginia Tech (4-1, 0-1 ACC) at Boston College (2-3, 0-2), Saturday, 7:15 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Line: Virginia Tech by 16 ½.
Series record: Virginia Tech leads 17-8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Its loss to second-ranked Clemson has removed all, or most of, Virginia Tech’s margin for error going forward with No. 13 Miami and Georgia Tech both still unbeaten in league play and in the Hokies’ Coastal Division. Virginia Tech will play both of those rivals on the road, too, so it likely can’t afford an unexpected loss.
KEY MATCHUP
WR Cam Phillips against the Boston College secondary. Phillips is one of the top receivers in the country with 41 catches for 597 yards and five touchdowns, while the Eagles are fourth nationally in pass defense efficiency, 12th nationally in passing yards allowed per game, yielding just 154. They have also allowed just three passing touchdowns. Hokies QB Josh Jackson throws for 275.6 yards per game and has thrown 12 scoring passes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Virginia Tech: Jackson. The Hokies’ quarterback has not only been effective throwing the ball — his 12 TDs come against three interceptions — but also running it when necessary. He’s third on the team with 157 rushing yards, and 101 of those came in his college debut, Virginia Tech’s season-opening victory against No. 23 West Virginia.
Boston College: WR Michael Walker. The junior does a bit of everything for the Eagles and is averaging 130 all-purpose yards per game. Besides 13 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, he’s ninth nationally with a 18.1-yard punt return average and 45th nationally with a 23.4-yard kickoff return average.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Hokies have won seven of the last nine meetings, including a 49-0 victory last year in Blacksburg, Virginia. … Phillips needs five receptions to pass Isaiah Ford (210) as the school’s career leader. … The Hokies are 4-0 in games immediately following a loss under Justin Fuente. … The Eagles are last in the ACC in scoring, averaging 17.6 points. … They are 12th in scoring defense, allowing 29 points per game. … Boston College has a 52-3 disadvantage in points scored off turnovers. … The Hokies have a 27-14 edge in the category.
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