Virginia Tech Hokies

UNC vs. Virginia Tech: Preview, Game info and more

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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UNC and Virginia Tech do battle in Chapel Hill on Saturday

It’s almost time for more North Carolina Tar Heels football, folks.

The Tar Heels are back at home in Chapel Hill as they will host the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The winner will be in first place in the Coastal Division and depending on what Miami does, could have a bigger lead.

UNC is coming off two comeback wins against Pitt and Florida State, propelling them atop the ACC Coastal Division.

Meanwhile, the Hokies are coming off a bye week and have won two-straight.

The quarterback battle…

This game could very well come down to both team’s defenses. The Hokies have a solid defense that will look to slow down UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky, as well as the Tar Heels rushing attack.

Trubisky enters the game without a turnover this season and has completed 76 percent of his passes. He’s in the middle of a hot stretch in which he has 9 total touchdowns in the last two weeks.

He’s not the only quarterback playing well.

Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans has 13 touchdowns and just one interception on the year, doing a great job of protecting the football.

UNC’s defense vs. Virginia Tech’s offense..

It will be up to UNC’s defense to stop Evans and the Hokies offense. The Tar Heels defense has struggled to stop the run, nothing new, but will this finally be the game where they shut it down?

The Tar Heels defense will have to have a big effort, much like the one they had in the first half against Florida State on Saturday. If they do so, they could put the Hokies offense in some frustrating situations and in a early hole.

Expect Virginia Tech to get out and run against the UNC defense. Running back Travon McMillian has 212 yards on 48 attempts, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The Tar Heels defense better be alert when McMillian has the ball, otherwise he can make you pay.

Tar Heels running early…

Look for the Tar Heels to run the ball early and often, trying to set up the playaction and rollouts for Trubisky. With the two-headed monster of Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan in the backfield, UNC has big play potential every time they snap the ball on offense.

If UNC can open up the offense a little more, getting the running game going will only help Trubisky. Let’s see if UNC can continue their hot play offensively.

What you need to know

WHAT? Virginia Tech at UNC
WHEN? Saturday, October 8, at 3:30 p.m. ET
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ABC/ESPN 2. Dave Lamont (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst) and Alex Corddry (sideline).
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell (play-by-play), William Henderson (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline)
WEATHER? High of 70 degrees in Chapel Hill with rain throughout the day.
ALL-TIME SERIES? Virginia Tech leads 20-11-1.
LAST MEETING? UNC def. Virginia Tech 30-27.
BETTING LINE? UNC – 1.5
PREDICTION? UNC wins 31-23.

Some Keeping It Heel Coverage

Check back with Keeping It Heel for more coverage on the game as well as in-game coverage from our Twitter account!