VT-Maryland Preview
Playtime is over for the 6-0, #3 Virginia Tech Hokies this week as they head for College Park to take on the 4-2 Maryland Terrapins on Thursday night at 7:45 (ESPN/XM 191). Last year, Maryland went into Blacksburg expecting to put up a fight, despite a mediocre season to date; instead they were mauled 55-6, and that embarrassment has stuck with them as they prepare for this one. Both teams took last week off; two weeks ago, the Hokies’ last game was a lackluster 41-14 pounding of Marshall, while the Terrapins won a 45-33 slugfest with Virginia in College Park.
Maryland brings a balanced offensive attack piloted by junior QB Sam Hollenbach, who has ascended from third/fourth string last year to become one of the top QBs in the ACC this year. His favorite target is senior TE Vernon Davis. Defensively, their line is nothing special, but the linebacking corps is upper-half in the ACC, led by senior D’Qwell Jackson, and the backfield is of similar quality.
The run game remains a question mark for Tech; senior Mike Imoh returns after skipping the Marshall game due to injury, but the change-of-pace RB now becomes freshman Branden Ore after Cedric Humes broke his arm on a first-half block against Marshall. Ore may not be much of a dropoff from Humes; against Marshall he ran for over a hundred yards in the second half alone, and showed power after contact that Humes has lacked this season. Maryland may want to force VT into the run if possible; Marcus Vick lit up a good secondary at WVU, while Imoh isn’t likely to be 100%.
Maryland will come out firing. If the Hokies can weather the emotional storm through the first quarter, they’ll be in good shape; if they can convert that excitement into forced turnovers and defensive or special teams scores, it’ll be a long night in Terptown for everyone but the fire department.
20 October 2005 / 0 Comments / Tags: football