Vanderbilt hasn’t won a bowl game since 2013 and doesn’t appear to be on the verge of much success anytime soon. They host Virginia Tech in Week 1 on Aug. 31, their first matchup since Virginia Tech won 18-0 during the 1989 season. Vanderbilt will look to rely on quarterback Diego Pavia, a transfer from New Mexico State. Pavia was one of the nation’s best rushing quarterbacks last year, falling just 72 yards shy of 1,000 yards.
Being in the SEC, Vanderbilt will have a tougher schedule than the Hokies, which is why Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt are polar opposites as franchises: one franchise playing an incredibly tough schedule that feels like never-ending decline, while the other franchise is trying to bring their program back to its glory days with one of the easiest schedules in the ACC.
The Hokies have had wins over the Commodores in recent years and are 6-3 all-time against Vanderbilt, who have not won the series since winning during the 1982 season.
Virginia Tech Offense vs Vanderbilt Defense
The return of Virginia Tech’s offensive line has been one of the big talking points heading into the season. The Hokies return most of their starters, but lost starting tight end Dae’Quan Wright in the process. Notably, Virginia Tech returns quarterback Kyron Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten, and all of its Week 1 starting wide receivers and offensive line.
But it hasn’t all been perfect for the Virginia Tech offense, and there is certainly room for improvement, especially when it comes to closing out games. Virginia Tech ranked 88th in the FBS in points allowed per fourth quarter, averaging just 6.2 points per quarter. This is to be expected given the nature of the Virginia Tech offense, which clearly wasn’t fully focused on the pass, which could cause problems late in games where the Hokies are losing.
Before Kyron Drones replaced Grant Wells as quarterback, Virginia Tech’s offense was even more stagnant. In two games, they averaged 3.0 points in the fourth quarter. Since Kyron Drones took the reins, it’s been a breath of fresh air. In 13 games (11 starts), Drones has passed for 2,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Perhaps Drones’ biggest impact has been his rushing ability. Drones has recorded 818 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Vanderbilt’s defense has struggled against the run, to be honest, and it hasn’t looked good. Vanderbilt’s rushing defense is 108th, allowing an average of 179 rushing yards per game. Vanderbilt’s defense struggles in many ways, and it’s not just against the run. Vanderbilt ranks 130th in points allowed per game, 132nd in yards allowed per game, and 129th in points allowed per play.
Vanderbilt’s defense doesn’t have many true stars, but linebacker Langston Patterson best fits that description. Vanderbilt bolstered its defense in the offseason through the transfer portal, signing a number of players in the secondary. Notable new additions in the secondary include Landon Fontenette (TCU), Colby Taylor (Wyoming), Mark Davis Jr. (Southern Illinois), Maurice Hampton (Memphis) and Micah Bell (Notre Dame).
There is plenty of room for improvement for the Vanderbilt defense, which was destroyed on both pass and rush plays. For the Vanderbilt defense to make a big impact in this game, the secondary and pass rush will need to take big steps forward.
Vanderbilt offense vs. Virginia Tech defense
Despite their struggles, Vanderbilt’s offensive line is arguably the team’s strongest unit. It may look completely different than it has in years past, as Clark Lea fired offensive coordinator Joey Lynch and hired Tim Beck from New Mexico State to overhaul the team.
Diego Pavia is expected to lead the offense at quarterback and it will be an option-heavy attack, with Vanderbilt planning to rotate its tackles and guards in a way that will have a weak side and a strong side, something we’ve seen early on at the FBS level, let alone an SEC team.
Vanderbilt’s offense will be trickier than it is excellent, to be honest. This unit wasn’t great last year either, as the Commodores averaged 20.6 points and 307.5 yards per game and struggled on third and fourth down plays.
Virginia Tech’s defense is not weak. The school ranks 15th nationally in yards allowed per game, adding another boost to an already excellent defense. Most notably, Duke transfer Aeneas Peebles could make a big impact in this game. Peebles is a 290-pound All-ACC defensive tackle who led Duke in TFLs last season.
Stopping Vanderbilt at the line of scrimmage will be key if Virginia Tech wants to gain an advantage against Vanderbilt’s unique offensive line.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, to win against Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech needs to do two things well: be aggressive in the passing game and find ways to get playmakers like Ali Jennings open, and limit the damage on defense. Sure, big plays can happen on Vanderbilt’s offense, but unless things get rough, Virginia Tech should be well on its way to a win against Vanderbilt.
