Boston College Eagles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 17th 2024

Preview and Prediction

After a mutual week off, two Atlantic Coast Conference rivals will go head-to-head when Virginia Tech welcomes Boston College for a Thursday night game in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The Hokies (3-3, 1-1) are coming off a win against new ACC member Stanford, their first regular-season game in California, on October 5th.

"There's a lot to look forward to on Thursday night - a sold-out crowd, national television on ESPN, and the Orange Effect," said Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry.

Boston College (4-2, 1-1) will be a tough opponent for the Hokies, as they are seeking their first win in Blacksburg since 2018. In their last game against Virginia, the Eagles allowed 24 unanswered points and suffered a 24-14 loss.

In their win against Stanford, Virginia Tech's Kyron Drones had a three-touchdown game and Bhayshul Tuten scored his league-leading ninth touchdown of the season. However, it was the Hokies' strong defensive effort, with five players recording sacks, that ultimately secured the win.

One standout player on the Hokies' defense is first-year Kaleb Spencer, who has been making an impact with eight tackles, four for loss, one sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in the last two games.

Boston College also prides itself on its defense, allowing the fewest points per game in the ACC this season (17.2). Despite their recent loss to Virginia, first-year coach Bill O'Brien is confident that his team will bounce back in this important game.

"This is what college football is all about - big games like this," O'Brien said. "It's a big challenge to go down there, but our guys should be excited and ready to play."

Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku has been a standout for the Eagles, leading the ACC with nine sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has also been a key player for Boston College, but he struggled in their last game with three turnovers and negative rushing yards for the first time in his career.

Despite his recent struggles, Castellanos is determined to lead his team to victory against Virginia Tech's strong defense.

"I feel like I've done a good job as a quarterback, but I haven't been as explosive as last year," Castellanos said. "But I'm focused on showing that I can throw the ball and lead my team to success."

Virginia Tech's defense will certainly be a challenge for Castellanos and the Eagles, as they are tied for the ACC lead with 20 sacks.

PREDICTION

Boston College Eagles

Virginia Tech Hokies

Boston College Eagles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

Quarterback Hendon Hooker rushed for three touchdowns and 164 yards Saturday night as No. 23 Virginia Tech pulled away from Boston College in the second half for a 40-14 Atlantic Coast Conference victory.

Making his first start of the year, Hooker also completed 11 of 15 passes for 111 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown to Khalil Herbert on a perfectly executed screen pass with 2:49 left in the first half that lifted the Hokies to a 17-7 lead at the intermission.

Herbert, the transfer from Kansas who entered the night as the top rusher in FBS, gained 143 yards on the ground -- the fifth time in as many games he has topped the century mark. Herbert carried 18 times as Tech (3-1, 3-1) pounded out 350 yards rushing.

For Boston College (3-2, 2-2), Phil Jurkovec completed 28 of 51 passes for 345 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Eagles also lost three fumbles, two of which stalled promising first quarter drives.

Brian Johnson initiated scoring for the Hokies with a 41-yard field goal late in the first quarter. Jurkovec soon gave BC its only lead by connecting with Jaelen Gill on a 12-yard touchdown pass, but the lead was short-lived.

Just two minutes later, Hooker erased BC's advantage by dashing seven yards off right tackle to give Tech the lead for good, 10-7. And with 2:49 left in the first half, the Hokies extended the lead to 17-7 when Herbert f0ound Hooker with a 29-yard touchdown pass.

The Eagles drew within 17-14 midway through the third quarter when Jurkovec found tight end Hunter Long for a 20-yard scoring strike.

Yet, Herbert ripped off a 57-yard run, one of six runs of 20 yards or longer that the Hokies created on the night. Hooker cashed it in four plays later with a 5-yard run and Tech had a 24-14 cushion.

Johnson connected on a 27-yard field goal later in the quarter, and Raheem Blackshear ended the game's competitive phase with a 28-yard touchdown run early in the fourth period.