Running back Ezekiel Elliot is an explosive weapon for Ohio State. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
KICKOFF: Monday, 8 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/7/15
SITE: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
TV: ESPN
SERIES: This is the second meeting between Virginia Tech and Ohio State. The Hokies won 35-21 last season in Columbus, Ohio.
RANKINGS: Ohio State 1st
KEYS TO THE GAME
One of the great mysteries in college football going into the season remains a secret.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said during his weekly news conference that the question on everyone’s mind — Will J.T. Barrett or Cardale Jones start at quarterback in the opener? — won’t be answered publicly until game time.
“We’ll announce the starter when the first guy takes the snap,” Meyer said. “It’s still very close. Both guys are performing well.”
Meyer said he has seen little separation between the two since the start of fall camp. He hinted that the coaching staff would likely zero in on a starter when the top-ranked Buckeyes begin game preparation for the Hokies.
“I imagine if one of them was way ahead I probably would announce it, but they’re not, and it’s more for our team than who we’re playing,” Meyer said.
Meyer also raised the possibility that both quarterbacks could play against Virginia Tech and that the competition could continue into the season.
Virginia Tech is looking to fill in a void among the accomplishments of a program that has bowl wins over Texas and Alabama and significant road triumphs over Clemson, Nebraska and Texas A&M.
“But the one thing we’ve never had is beating a No. 1 team in the country. And we’ve had our chances,” coach Frank Beamer said. “We’ve played like eight times maybe, but we haven’t gotten it done. So certainly there’s a challenge, and I don’t know that there’s ever been a No. 1 team in the country that is as far No. 1 as this crowd is.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Buckeyes
–QB J.T. Barrett had a record-setting first season as a starter for Ohio State in 2014 before he sustained a broken ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. He is fully recovered and contending with Cardale Jones to be the starter for the opener against Virginia Tech.
–RB Ezekiel Elliott is listed as one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy after his romp through the postseason last year with 696 yards rushing on 76 carries and eight touchdowns in three games that netted a Big Ten and national championship. Elliott is primed for a new season and could reach the 2,000-yard plateau behind an experienced and talented offensive line.
–LB Joshua Perry is one of six team captains and a leader on defense of a strong linebacking corps. Perry’s 124 tackles last season led the team and ranked second in the Big Ten and 19th nationally.
Hokies
–QB Michael Brewer was much maligned for his struggles last season, but he led the Hokies to their biggest win in recent history at eventual national champion Ohio State. With a better understanding of the playbook and more experience in the offense, Brewer could be in for a strong senior season.
–TE Bucky Hodges had quite the breakout season last year with 45 catches for 526 yards and seven touchdowns. The converted quarterback has a better understanding of the position now that he has a year of experience.
–LB Deon Clarke was one of the catalysts in the Hokies’ strong effort in last year’s win at Ohio State. He had 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack in the win at the Horseshoe and finished the season with 74 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
Scouting the running game: Running back Ezekiel Elliott enters the season as one of the best running backs in the country based on his 2014 production. He is the nation’s leading returning rusher after ripping off 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was named the offensive MVP in both the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff wins. But he rushed for only 32 yards on eight carries against Virginia Tech’s defense last year. The Buckeyes were confounded by the Hokies last September in Ohio Stadium and managed only 108 yards on the ground in a 35-21 loss, the only blemish on their record.
Scouting the passing game: Cardale or J.T.? One of the two — Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett — will start at quarterback against Virginia Tech on Labor Day night in the opener. Coach Urban Meyer doesn’t plan to disclose the starter until the game begins, but either way, the Buckeyes will be in good hands. Barrett proved to be a dynamic dual threat last year before getting hurt in the regular-season finale against Michigan and Jones came off the bench to lead the Buckeyes to three straight wins that resulted in a national title. In Barrett’s second career start last year against Virginia Tech, he struggled in the loss, throwing three interceptions and completing just 9-of-29 passes. Virginia Tech’s defense confused Barrett in that game, but Ohio State figures to be better prepared this time around.
Scouting the run defense: Ohio State has a couple of holes to fill upfront, but the linebackers are seasoned, quick and big playmakers. OLBs Darron Lee and Joshua Perry are two of the best in the country, and MLB Raekwon McMillan received significant playing time last year. The Buckeyes will be without All-American Joey Bosa at defensive end on Monday night, but Adolphus Washington is a returning starter and pro prospect and senior Tommy Schutt has stepped up to fill one of the tackle spots. Last year, the Buckeyes gave up 121 yards on the ground to Virginia Tech in their only loss of the season.
Scouting the pass defense: The secondary returns three of four starters from a year ago, including arguably the best safety tandem in the country. SS Vonn Bell finished second on the team with 92 tackles in 2014 and had six interceptions, including one against Virginia Tech. FS Tyvis Powell is a team captain who was the defensive MVP in the College Football Playoff championship game against Oregon after making a game-high nine tackles. One of his four interceptions last season came in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama. CB Eli Apple started 14 of 15 games last year and also had one of his three interceptions last year against the Hokies. Ohio State’s pass defense is made even better by defensive end Joey Bosa, one of the top pass rushers in the nation the past two years, but he won’t be available for the opener because of a one-game suspension.
Scouting the special teams: Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, Ohio State’s leading punt and kick returners from a year ago, are both out for the opener after being suspended during the summer. Former QB Braxton Miller has practiced returning punts in preseason workouts and could be an option. P Cameron Johnston averaged a Big Ten-leading 45.1 yards per boot last year and was second in FCS in punts downed inside the 20-yard line. PK Sean Nuernberger returns but is being challenged by Duke transfer Jack Willoughby.
DRAFT PROSPECTS (includes 2016 NFLDraftScout.com rating as applicable):
–DE Joey Bosa (No. 1 defensive end) — The junior All-American will sit out the opener against Virginia Tech after a suspension in July for a violation of team rules. The Buckeyes will miss his presence on defense. He’s one of the best pass rushers in the country. The Big Ten defensive player of the year led the conference in tackles for loss with 21 and sacks with 13.5.
–RB Ezekiel Elliott (No. 1 running back) — The junior enters the season as one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. He finished the 2014 season with a flourish, rushing for 696 yards and eight touchdowns during the final three games that culminated in a national championship. His season totals were 1,878 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Elliott won the Sullivan Award in April as the country’s top amateur athlete.
–S Vonn Bell (No. 3 strong safety) — The 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior started 14 games a year ago and finished second on the team in tackles with 92 — the highest total for an Ohio State safety since Mike Doss’ 107 in 2002. He also had a team-best six interceptions.
–QB Cardale Jones (No. 3 quarterback) — One of the top NFL quarterback prospects might not even start this year. Jones is in a battle with J.T. Barrett in one of the country’s most-watched position battles. Jones’ stock skyrocketed after stepping in to lead Ohio State to the national championship last year. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Jones has a rocket arm appealing to NFL teams. He was eligible for the 2015 draft but decided to return to the Buckeyes.
–OT Taylor Decker (No. 3 offensive tackle) — The 6-foot-7, 315-pound senior is the leader of an offensive line with four starters returning this year. Decker, voted a team captain, was second team All-Big Ten in 2014 and is on the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists this year. He also started all 14 games a sophomore in 2013.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA TECH
Scouting the running game: The Hokies return four running backs who have rushed for 100 or more yards in a game. Among that group is senior J.C. Coleman, a late-season savior last year, and junior Trey Edmunds, who was the team’s leading rusher in 2013. Sophomore Shai McKenzie is a dark horse. When healthy, he showed great ability to be a viable feature back, but he missed a significant amount of the season and all of spring practice with a knee injury. It is uncertain yet what role Marshawn Williams will have. He suffered a knee injury late last season and is still a candidate for a redshirt.
Scouting the passing game: Senior quarterback Michael Brewer has a much better grasp of the Hokies’ offense heading into his second year as the starter. He had some big moments last season, and he struggled at times as well, but having a better knowledge of the playbook and a full offseason under his belt should make him much better equipped to lead the Hokies’ attack. There are plenty of receiving options available, including returning starting wideouts Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips and tight ends Ryan Malleck and Bucky Hodges. Finding depth at receiver was a focal point during training camp.
Scouting the run defense: Only one tailback rushed for over 100 yards against the Hokies last season (Miami’s Duke Johnson), but quarterbacks seemed to have a field day while on the run. Of the top five rushing performances against Tech last season, four were by quarterbacks. Georgia Tech’s Justin Thomas rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown. Boston College’s Tyler Murphy had 122 yards and a score. Pitt’s Chad Voytik had 118 yards. The Hokies’ aggressiveness up front may have made them more susceptible to big games by running quarterbacks. They won’t lose that go-for-broke mentality, but with their mix of talent and experience, expect them to be better equipped to stop quarterbacks this year when they take off to run.
Scouting the pass defense: Having Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson back to full health could make them contenders for the top cornerback duo in the country. Fuller has first-round NFL potential, and Facyson proved more than capable of making big plays when he recorded five interceptions as a freshman. He missed most of last season with a leg injury but was back to playing with no limitations during training camp.
Scouting the special teams: Sophomore kicker Joey Slye proved to be very trustworthy last season as a first-year starter, and he is working on becoming more consistent from 45 yards and beyond. Punter A.J. Hughes wasn’t at full strength last season because of a herniated disc in his back. Following offseason surgery, Hughes appears ready to regain his form from 2013, when he averaged 44.1 yards per attempt. The return game is in good hands with Greg Stroman (punts) and Travon McMillian (kicks). Stroman made some big plays in the return game last season and McMillian, a redshirt freshman, has the ability to be a home run threat as a runner and returner.
DRAFT PROSPECTS (with 2016 NFLDraftScout.com rating):
–CB Kendall Fuller (No. 3 cornerback) — He earned All-American honors as a sophomore, despite playing the entire season with a fractured hand. He has pronounced himself healthy and ready to play with no limitations this season.
–DE Dadi Nicolas (No. 6 outside linebacker) — The senior is a terror on the edge at defensive end for the Hokies. He was second on the team with nine sacks last season.
–TE Ryan Malleck (No. 7 tight end) — The Hokies have a surplus of playmaking tight ends, but Malleck has the most experience of the group.
–DT Luther Maddy (No. 14 defensive tackle) — Maddy missed most of last season with a knee injury, but he was granted a medical redshirt and is back to team with Nicolas, Corey Marshall and Ken Ekanem on one of the most talented defensive lines in the country.
