Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech Game Day Primer
By J.P. Scott
Everything you need to know about the Notre Dame football game against Virginia Tech.
Tonight, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg, VA. Here’s what you need to know:
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Line: Notre Dame -6.5
Weather: 70 degrees, scattered thunderstorms with a 35 percent chance of rain at kickoff.
Top Storyline: Notre Dame looks to take down a ranked opponent for the second consecutive weekend and third time overall in 2018. A road win against the Hokies on prime time national television would establish Notre Dame as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender outside of the fishbowl of the Irish fan base. A Notre Dame loss would send the Irish tumbling down the polls and out of the playoff conversation due to the remaining strength of schedule.
Key offensive player for Virginia Tech: Ryan Willis, QB
Willis stepped into the starting role when Josh Jackson went down with a season-ending injury against Old Dominion. He is a capable passer and an underrated runner. He has the ability to give the Irish some problems all night.
Key offensive player for Notre Dame: Dexter Williams, RB
If you want to win on the road, you need a solid defense and a dependable running game. The Irish have the defense. Williams needs to step up and rip off consistent chunk runs in order to sustain drives and keep the raucous Hokie crowd out of the game.
Key defensive player for Virginia Tech: Houshun Gaines, DE
Gaines is a capable edge rusher who can disrupt the timing of Notre Dame’s passing attack if he is not held in check. A big game from him likely means trouble for the Irish.
Next. Staff Predictions for Notre Dame-Virginia Tech. dark
Key defensive player for Notre Dame: Drue Tranquill
The Irish are going to get interior penetration on the defensive line. It’ll be up to Tranquill to clean up the plays that are forced to the outside and prevent explosive plays on the edge.