For the first time in what feels like forever, North Carolina is ranked in the top ten. The Tar Heels (2-0) check in at No. 8 this week following their 26-22 win over Boston College last week. That might be reaching a bit, but Heels fans will take it. UNC puts that ranking on the line when they take on Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon on WBT and part of ABC’s nationally-televised lineup.
The 19th-ranked Hokies (2-0) picked up wins over NC State and Duke to remain undefeated, and that was in spite of the fact that they were missing at least 21 players and multiple coaches in each game due to coronavirus quarantines. They're expected to get most of them back this week, including starting quarterback Hendon Hooker. That will be a boost for Tech's passing attack, which has been anemic behind backup Braxton Burmeister, who has passed for just 269 yards with one touchdown and an interception. Hooker has some solid receivers in Tayvion Robinson, Tre Turner, along with tight end James Mitchell, who has two scores.
But this Hokies offense revolves around the ground attack. They rank third in the nation averaging 319 yards per game on the ground. VT stud running back and Kansas transfer Khalil Herbert leads the nation with 156 rushing yards and 276 all-purpose yards per game, and a whopping 12 yards per carry. Herbert set a school record with 357 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns last week, including three kickoff returns for 150 yards. He teams with fellow transfer Raheem Blackshear. The pair will be a huge challenge for UNC's defense, which has actually been really good against the run so far this season. After years of having an awful run defense, the Tar Heels are ranked number one among FBS schools allowing just 54 yards per game on the ground.
Virginia Tech's defense isn't faring so well in 2020. Longtime coordinator Bud Foster took his lunch box and went home to retire after last season. What makes the situation more difficult is new defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton has been in covid quarantine along with most of the secondary. As a result, the Hokies are allowing nearly 400 total yards per game, most of those through the air against the thinned out backfield. They're expected to get almost everyone back this week including star safety Devine Deablo.
The front seven is led by All-ACC linebacker Rayshard Ashby, who led the league in tackles last season Defensive lineman Emmanuel Belmar has three of the team's 13 sacks. Tech's biggest weakness, though, has been red zone defense. The Hokies have allowed opponents six touchdowns in six trips to the red zone. And the Tar Heels are 7-7 for in the red zone with five touchdowns and two field goals. Hard to beat those stats for Sam Howell and Co. going into week three.
VT has won the last four games in this rivalry, and the last two matchups have featured epic finishes. In 2018, UNC fumbled at the 1-yard line and allowed Tech to put together a 18-play, 98 yards game-winning drive capped off by a touchdown for the 22-19 victory. One of five Tar Heel losses by seven points of fewer that season. Last year was the infamous six overtime game in Blacksburg, which the Hokies outlasted UNC for a 43-41 win. A heartbreaker most Tar Heel fans still haven't gotten over. VT is 13-3 all-time against UNC in ACC play, so it's high time the ball bounced UNC's way in this rivalry.