Hokie ClubHeading into their 32nd meeting, the Hokies and Eagles each look for a key conference victory when they meet inside Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for noon ET, with the game set to air on the ACC Network.
Rootin And Tuten
Running back Bhayshul Tuten has continued his high level of play ever since taking over in the backfield for Tech prior to the 2023 campaign.
The North Carolina A&T transfer has racked up 535 rushing yards on 121 carries so far this season, finding the end zone on four separate occasions and utilizing his speed on the ground when needed.
That's not even mentioning his threat in the passing game. The junior back has caught 24 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, showcasing his ability to produce in a multitude of ways since transitioning to the Power Five level.
Though always a threat, regardless of the competition, this weekend presents a nice opportunity for Tuten to excel. The Eagles rank 100th nationally when it comes to stopping the run, giving up nearly five yards a carry and almost 170 yards a game.
That's the third-worst in the ACC, only in front of Virginia and Georgia Tech, and it lends itself to big-game potential for Tuten on Saturday afternoon.
Tuck Taking Over
With much to talk about surrounding Tech football the past few weeks, something that hasn't garnered enough attention is the season sophomore receiver Tucker Holloway is putting together as a punt returner.
The Andrews, North Carolina native has averaged a whopping 18.5 yards per return so far this season, good for the highest in the ACC and the fifth-best in all of college football.
Lauded as one of the best punt returners the Hokies have seen in recent memory, Holloway has a chance this weekend to put up some decent production. Boston College finds itself in the middle of the pack when it comes to defending on returns, giving up over eight yards a play when booting the ball away.
The Eagles haven't allowed a touchdown this season, though, in that particular situation, making it an interesting matchup against a dynamic playmaker in the punt return game.
One-Possession Pros
Quietly, Boston College has engineered one of the biggest comeback stories in the ACC in the 2023 season.
The Eagles have won five in a row after beginning the year 1-3 and have already clinched bowl eligibility after sitting out of postseason play a year ago.
That's not to say they haven't had some close calls. In BC's nine games so far this season, only two of those have been decided by more than one possession. The Eagles are 5-2 in those seven matchups, which includes wins over Holy Cross, Virginia, Army, UConn and Syracuse, and losses against Northern Illinois and Florida State.
On the flip side, the Hokies find themselves 0-2 in one-possession games so far this year, and have fairly dominated when they come out on the winning side of affairs.
It's a unique opportunity for a hungry Tech bunch, with the Hokies aiming to win up in Chestnut Hill for the first time since 2017 and inch closer towards a potential bowl berth for the first time in the Brent Pry era.