Three keys for Va. Tech
1 Handle North Carolina's defensive front. Tech coach Frank Beamer said the Tar Heels' four defensive linemen might be the best the Hokies have played this season. Carolina ranks seventh nationally in yards allowed per game (266.3) and 23rd in rushing yards allowed (102.6). The Hokies' tailback, redshirt freshman Ryan Williams, is seventh nationally in rushing yards per game (119.1). Carolina's most disruptive defensive lineman: sophomore end Robert Quinn, who has 11 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks (tied for ninth-most nationally).2 Buckle down on defense. Through seven games, the Hokies rank 31st nationally in yards allowed per game (317.4) and 28th in points allowed (19.1). They finished in the top nine in both categories for the past five seasons. But through seven games last season, Tech ranked 33rd in yards (312.3) and 37th in points (19.9). It finished seventh and ninth in those categories, allowing 279.4 yards and 16.7 points. The Hokies' numbers should improve this season. North Carolina ranks 114th in yards per game (289.4). Tech's first seven opponents average 380.2 yards per game. Its final five, starting tonight, average 324.6.
3 Don't dwell on past mistakes. The Hokies' last game, Oct. 17 at Georgia Tech, was a crushing loss that essentially knocked them out of the national championship hunt. But they can't afford to remember their errors that night, because they still have a lot to play for, including their sixth consecutive 10-win season. Just five other teams in the modern era have accomplished that, though teams do play more games now than they used to.
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