Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Move to 4-1 Against Feisty Wake Forest
Virginia Tech got back on track last week, beating Boston College 40-14 and forcing five turnovers defensively in the rout. Now, the Hokies face the upstart Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who at 2-2 have scored over 40 points in three out of the first four games.
Can the #19 Hokies move to 4-1 on the season? We seem to think so.
Pat Finn
Virginia Tech 51 Wake Forest 17
Offense: Score early, keep running the ball and good things will happen. Defense: Limit big plays early and get pressure on the quarterback - this Wake OL allows 4 sacks per game. I see a big game coming from the Herbert/Blackshear combo - and a breakout game from Tré Turner.
Billy Ray Mitchell
Virginia Tech 45 Wake Forest 31
Can't see a repeat of last week with the lackadaisical start. I think we see improvement on the defense and more consistency offensively. I also like Tré Turner to find the end zone this week.
Mike McDaniel
Virginia Tech 49 Wake Forest 35
Shootout. Expect a big day from the Hokies' rushing attack, but a balanced game through the air as well. Count me among the several in this group who believe this is a big day for Tre Turner, who I also believe will find the end zone. The defense for Tech will continue to make strides forward, making a couple of stops in the second half to help the Hokies pull away. Tech wins.
Adam Rothe
Virginia Tech 35 Wake Forest 21
Until Tech's defense proves that they can do anything besides let opposing teams pick them apart I am not sold on this unit. Yes, BC turned it over 5 times last week, but before the turnovers the Eagles were torching our defense due to poor tackling and terrible coverage. Wake's QB Sam Hartman loves to throw the ball around and I foresee them scoring multiple times unless something changes for the Tech defense. Still, the Hokies' run attack should be too dominant for Wake to handle. Tech wins, but not by a lot.
Ryan Hartman
Virginia Tech 52 Wake Forest 24
The run game continues to win the day for the Hokies and the 'Deacs can't stop the three-headed monster of Hooker, Blackshear, and Herbert. Hartman is able to throw it around a bit but the D-Line needs to have a wake up game here and we get after him back there. Hokies BIG.
Justin Cates
Virginia Tech 35 Wake Forest 14
I took the average scores from Tech and Wake's ACC games over the years — subtracting the upsetting statistical outlier that was the double overtime game which shall not be named. The Hokies could easily score more if the offense stays firing like it has and unless something dramatic happens on Tech's defense, Wake should put up more points. Still, this is my pick.
Robert Irby
Virginia Tech 51 Wake Forest 24
IS THAT A 50 BURGER I SMELL?? The Hokies' offense is clicking on all cylinders, and this may be the worst defense they have faced all season. The Deacons, led by one of the most efficient QB's in the country, Sam Hartman, are certainly no joke on offense. I believe they will score some points, but the Lunch Pail Defense will be at full strength and able to get a few stops as the Hokies cruise to another victory this week.
Sam Jessee
Virginia Tech 41 Wake Forest 17
Wake Forest is a better pass defense than rushing defense, and neither of those are too special. I think Tech exploits that and tries to control the game with a dominant OL. The key matchup will be Wake Forest RB Kenneth Walker III vs Jerod Hewitt and Dashawn Crawford, who should be playing Saturday for the first time this season. Having Jermaine Waller back at corner should get guys in their right positions for really the first time all season, and I think you see a better overall defensive performance as a result.
Chris Himes
Virginia Tech 31 Wake Forest 24
This game is a matchup between VT’s rushing attack and Wake Forest’s ability to grind out long methodical drives, which probably leads to each team chewing up time of possession that minimizes scoring opportunities. Expect Tech to be up 31-17 in the 4th quarter, since they are the better team, with the Deacons scoring late to cover the double digit spread.
Brett Smith
Virginia Tech 49 Wake Forest 20
This team is extremely fun to watch with Hooker under center and Herbert behind him. I expect more of the same this week on the ground, but I think Hooker will air it out more than a few times as well. With the defense (hopefully) back fully healthy, I expect them to keep improving. As I said on the Lock$ of Saturday article, please give Herbert the ball in the first quarter!
Ed Williams
Virginia Tech 38 Wake Forest 24
While the defense continues to work out the kinks, the offense will have to carry the Hokies. Fortunately, the duo of Hooker and Herbert are up to the task.
Ryan Wilkes
Virginia Tech 45 Wake Forest 28
The Hokies' offense will continue to produce with Hendon Hooker at the helm. With a full group of DBs back (hopefully), the Hokies should deliver a similar performance to what they did against BC. Walker will be a problem on the ground, but Tech's explosive offense will likely keep the Deacons at arm's length all day.
Preston Huennekens
Virginia Tech 42 Wake Forest 30
Virginia Tech is finally (knock on wood...) healthy again. Although the game was closer than the final score indicated, the Hokies took care of business against a talented Boston College team. They will do the same against the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest handled Virginia in last week's contest, dropping 20 points on the Cavaliers in the second half after going into the locker room tied 20-20. They can clearly make the adjustments needed to keep this game competitive. The Vegas line of -9.5 for the Hokies is spot on. Hokies win a competitive game 42-30. (Shoutout to my sister Kendall, a '17 Wake Forest grad. Go Hokies!)
