The more things change, the more they stay the same for Virginia Tech and Boston College football.
The more things change, the more they stay the same for Virginia Tech and Boston College football.
Despite the Hokies losing 13 players to the National Football League and the Eagles losing five -- including potential offensive rookie of the year Matt Ryan -- both teams turned in 2008 campaigns just good enough to meet for the second consecutive year in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.
Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski appreciates the position the Eagles are in considering the team's low preseason expectations.
"It's been very gratifying as a coach to see this team come together, especially when no one gives you a chance to do what we've done so far," Jagodzinski said. "This is better because no one said that we could do this. Last year it was expected; this year no one expected it and it still happened."
Tech head coach Frank Beamer shares the same sentiment.
"We've had to do some coaching here, but I've enjoyed the players, their attitude, how they work. This is just a very gratifying, very thankful time that we're able to get back to the championship game with all the things that this football team has been through," Beamer said.
Both Tech and Boston College reached the championship game through the same philosophy -- hard-nosed defense.
The Hokies and Eagles rank one and two in total defense, respectively.
Boston College's rushing defense has been especially potent -- allowing 87.3 yards per game, largely in part because of massive All-ACC defensive tackles B.J. Raji and Ron Brace as well as All-ACC linebacker Mark Herzlich.
"I remember that crowd, that crowd up front, those inside people, 94, their linebacker," Beamer said. "We didn't have a lot of success against them up there. They're a hard crowd to beat."
Tech did gain 150 rushing yards against the Eagles in October, but 110 of those came from sophomore quarterback Tyrod Taylor. On 23 carries between redshirt freshmen Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby, the Hokies managed only 40 yards, good for 1.7 yards per carry.
Running the football will be critical this time around for the Hokies.
"They're very, very good up front, and I still think you got to be able to run the football," Beamer said. "And we didn't do a great job of that last time we played them; and when you can run it, it helps you pass it."
Many teams turn to the pass because of a stagnant running game against Boston College, but the Eagles are deadly in coverage, leading the nation in interceptions with 25, returning five for touchdowns. In addition to having the most interceptions, the Eagles have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the ACC.
The Boston College defense also seems to be taking notes from the Tech defense, scoring a defensive touchdown in six consecutive games to cap the regular season.
"It's like Virginia Tech," Jagodzinski said. "They've won a lot of ball games that way."
"It's extremely satisfying," said BC senior strong safety Paul Anderson. "I'm real proud of the way our defense is playing this year. This is the sixth week in a row where we've scored on defense, and when we're out there, we not only see it as an opportunity to stop the offense from scoring but an opportunity for the defense to score as well."
Because of a weak running game against Boston College in October, Taylor only managed 90 passing yards and an interception, but the receivers as well as Taylor have progressed since then.
Still, the Tech offensive line gave up 37 sacks this regular season, good for last in the ACC, while the Eagles' defense produced the second most in conference with 32.
Even if the Tech offense can protect its quarterback and develop a running game, the Hokies must score once they get inside the Eagles' 20-yard line.
"I think getting points when you're down there is always critical, and it'll be critical again this week," Beamer said. "Every play counts in this ball game: Every kicking play counts, every offensive play counts and every defensive play counts, so that certainly is a point of emphasis."
The Eagles rank first in the ACC in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score 70.4 percent of the time on just 27 opportunities inside their 20, giving up only 13 touchdowns and six field goals.
By contrast, the Tech offense ranks 11th in red zone offense, reaching such territory 50 times. This ranks tops in the ACC, but they've only scored 74 percent of the time with 22 touchdowns.
Seventeen of those touchdowns came on the ground, which may be more difficult against the Boston College defensive front.
While the Tech offense may struggle against the Boston College defense, don't expect the Eagles to light up the Tech defense, either.
In October, the Tech defense was still coming together and the Eagles took advantage of that through big plays.
"I remember we had a lot of mental errors up there when we played against Boston College," said senior defensive end Orion Martin. "We had a lot of missed assignments on our part on defense, but also they made a lot of big plays on offense. I think since then we've improved a whole lot in our tackling, our communication on the field. I think overall the defense has really come together and grown into our roles."
In addition to cutting down on big plays since the game in October, the Tech defense will have the advantage of facing redshirt-freshman quarterback Dominique Davis instead of redshirt-senior Chris Crane, who fractured his collarbone against Wake Forest two weeks ago.
Davis may not be as good as Crane, but he led the Eagles on a game-winning drive late against Wake Forest and threw two touchdowns in their victory over Maryland.
In his limited playing time, Davis has displayed a calm demeanor, which should help against a punishing Tech defense.
"Off the field, he's a very laid-back guy," senior wide receiver Brandon Robinson said. "But when we're in practice and game situations, he doesn't get rattled. He's really calm and confident and just stays in control."
Since both teams excel on the defensive side of the ball, special teams will be key.
"There's no question I think when you get into championship games ... when you think there'd be two teams that are fairly close to each other as far as abilities, and whenever you get a game like that, special teams usually decide it, or certainly affect it," Beamer said. "I think that's just a known fact."
Boston College ranks first in punt return average with two touchdowns, while both teams have struggled punting the ball. Tech ranks last in the conference in net punting; Boston College ranks 11th.
Tech does maintain a distinct advantage with redshirt-senior field goal kicker Dustin Keys, who has made 20 of 25 attempts this season. Boston College's Steve Aponavicius has had a hard time this season, making just 13 of 20 field goals.
Regardless of match-ups, meeting for the second year in a row for the championship game has upped the stakes for both teams.
"We played them for a while now, and I guess you can say from the Big East it's turned into a rivalry in the ACC," Martin said. "Every time we get together it's a big game. We're looking forward to it this Saturday. When we face Boston College, we know we're going to be facing one of the top teams in the ACC."
The Eagles are especially hungry to win this game after losing last year's championship to Tech, and they're heading to the table with confidence.
"We definitely don't want to lose to them again, especially in a game like this. We want that ring this year, "Anderson said. "And, like I said, if we just keep doing what we're doing throughout the weeks with practices and stuff like that, we'll win."