The Three Keys to the Virginia Tech - Cal Tilt

After three thousand miles of travel, a near sold out crowd in Blacksburg, Virginia and Enter Sandman blaring over the loudspeakers, this is a game that will come down to three factors.

(1) Can the Bears run defense keep the Hokies potent rushing attack in check?

This isn’t about shutting the run down, it’s about slowing it down enough to force Virginia Tech to have to throw the ball. Kyron Drones is a load as are their two headed RB duo of Hawkins and Stewart. A Cal defense that has been inconsistent and at times undisciplined with its run fits, is not likely to completely stop the Hokies from getting traction on the ground.  Instead, it’s about limiting explosives and getting enough stops to force some 3^rd and uncomfortables.  

If Va Tech can grind clock and yardage leading to points via a primarily ground-based attack, it’s going to be a long night for Cal.  Conversely, if Drones is forced to beat the Bears elite secondary in order to score, the Hokies are likely to lose this game

(2) Cal’s Offense has to get 4+ TDs. This is a bad Virginia Tech defense, particularly in their secondary. They are giving up 33+ points per game in the ACC and have not faced as talented a QB as Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele‍ yet this season.   

If the Bears want to win, they have to get the Offense on track. It was close but not quite there vs the Tar Heels a week ago. To leave Blacksburg with a win, it has to be tonight that this Offense scores 30+ points. A lot fewer drops will help, JKS handling the hostile environment will be important and seeing success from Raphael running the ball as well as JKS passing it is vital.

This is the Offense’s game to win. It’s there for the taking, it’s time to put the pieces together and ring up the scoreboard

(3) Who makes fewer errors? Both teams are penalized far too often and have seen those flags kill or extend drives in desultory ways. Neither has turned the ball over much, however, those turnovers have been killers.   

Keep track of the turnover + penalty battle and know that whichever team can find itself on the better side of that measurement is likely the winner.  When a team is 2-5, it doesn’t know how to win football games and can lack the belief in itself needed to overcome adversity. The Bears have to create doubt in the Hokies and playing a clean game and grabbing a turnover or two will go a long way to keep Virginia Tech from finding itself.