The Boston University football program will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, in Week 8 of the 2024 college football season to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Both teams are looking to continue their improvement from last season, going 7-6 in 2023 after struggling in 2022. The Hokies are led by third-year head coach Brent Pry while the Eagles are led by first-year head coach Bill O'Brien.
Coming into this matchup, Virginia Tech is riding a two-game winning streak against Boston College, a 48-22 victory in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts in 2023 and a 27-10 win in Blacksburg in 2022.
attack
Offensively, Virginia Tech retained redshirt junior Kyron Draughns as the starting quarterback. In 2023, Draughns completed 166 of 285 passes for 2,085 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing 166 times for 818 yards and five touchdowns. The Pearland, Texas, native finished the season completing 58.25 percent of his passes and had a QB rating of 137.28.
As for weapons, the Hokies kept their leading rusher, senior running back Beischul Teuthen, who rushed 173 times for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns. The team also has graduate transfers Daquan Felton and Jaylin Lane, last season's top two wide receivers, who combined for 1,205 yards and 14 touchdowns between them in 2023.
defense
Defensively, the Hokies retained two of their top three tacklers in the class of 2023, senior safety Jaylen Stroman and redshirt junior linebacker Kelly Lawson, but lost second-leading tackler Alan Tisdale, who was a redshirt senior last year. Stroman and Lawson combined for 130 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, an interception and a forced fumble.
schedule
Both the Eagles and Hokies will be well-rested coming into this matchup as they will both be enjoying their first off week of the year before the match. This will be Boston College's second game at Virginia, as they play the city in Week 6 before their off week.
Outlook
Both teams are closely matched and both are looking for their second consecutive winning season. I expect it to be a close game and the team that gets the most third downs and wins the turnover battle will be the winner.
Boston College Virginia Tech:
BCCentral is breaking down each of the Eagles' upcoming opponents this season in detail, including their Week 8 matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies.
game
date: October 17
time: 7:30pm ET
tv set: ESPN
position: Worsham Field at Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia.
series: Virginia Tech leads with a 21-11 record
Last meeting: The Hokies defeated the Eagles 48-22 on Nov. 11, 2023 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
team
coach: Brent Pry.
Offensive Coordinator: Tyler Bowen.
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Marve.
2023 Record: 7-6.
Players to watch: QB Kyron Draughns, RB Beischul Teuten, WR Daquan Felton, WR Jaylin Lane, S Jalen Stroman, LB Keri Lawson, P Peter Moore, K John Love.
Top Newcomers: Recruit – 4-star LB Gabe Williams, Transfer – Former Alabama DL Curtis Perry.
school
position: Blacksburg, Virginia
Founded: 1872
Registration: 36,383
nickname: Hokies
color: Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange
mascot: Hokibird
program
Last win against Boston College: 2023.
Previous ACC winners: 2010.
National Championships: none.
Playoff appearances: none.
Conference Championships: 11 — 1909; 1916; 1918; 1963; 1995; 1996; 1999; 2004; 2007; 2008; 2010
Bowl appearances: 35 — 14 wins, 21 losses.
Last time they didn't play in a bowl: 2022.
Heisman Trophy: none.
2024 NFL Draft: none.
Ranking the last four recruiting classes: No. 47 of 2024; No. 44 of 2023; No. 43 of 2022; No. 49 of 2021.
schedule
August 31: Vanderbilt
September 7: vs Marshall
September 14: Old Dominion
September 21: vs. Rutgers
September 27: Miami
October 5: Stanford
October 17: vs. Boston College
October 26: vs Georgia Tech
November 2: Syracuse
Nov. 9: vs. Clemson
November 23: Duke University
November 30: vs. Virginia
