VTScoop Game Predictions: Purdue vs. Virginia Tech

Week 2 is upon us. The Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0, 0-0 ACC) will continue inside Lane Stadium against an out-of-conference opponent in the Purdue Boilermakers (0-1, 0-0 BIg Ten). The Hokies and Boilermakers last met in 2015, where Virginia Tech dismantled Purdue, 51 to 24. Purdue lost their season opener against Fresno State in a shootout, 35 to 39. Virginia Tech will look to continue winning ways on Saturday afternoon. The game will kick-off at 12 P.M. EST and be broadcasted on ESPN2. 

Ahead of the contest, VTSCOOP’s EvanGWatkins, Doug Bowman, Andrew Alix, Kolby Crawford and Matej Sis put together their predictions for the game.

Evan G. Watkins

Virginia Tech will be looking to start off the season 2-0 on Saturday after an opening weekend win over Old Dominion while Purdue will be looking to get into the win column for the first time after falling to Fresno State in the opening contest.

Last weekend, Purdue’s defense left a lot to be desired, giving up 487 yards of offense. The Hokies also had some pretty bad defensive play in the opener, giving up 295 yards despite forcing three turnovers in the game. While Purdue’s defense was bad, the offense showed some promise against Fresno State with Hudson Card at quarterback.

Virginia Tech goes into this game as the favorite, and pre-season, I predicted this as a win for Virginia Tech, and I still see this as a winnable game though I expected Virginia Tech's run game to be further along than it was last weekend. Purdue’s secondary appears weak and Wells seemed to make better decisions against Old Dominion. If Virginia Tech can limit turnovers and force a few on defense, this game should go their way.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Purdue 23

Matej Sis

I might be in the minority, but I don't see this game as a wild-west style shoot-out. Purdue looked capable against Fresno State with Texas transfer Hudson Card at the helm and a standout performance by Deion Burks (Mansoor Delane/ Dorian Strong will have their hands full). Otherwise, they struggled the effectively run the ball or find complimentary receivers, though they have capable talent in that department. I was mainly impressed with Purdue's big-play ability and prowess on special teams. I think Virginia Tech's defense is able to neutralize a lot of what Purdue did well on offense against Fresno St, though I'm more concerned with how the unit is able to contain the inside-run game and special teams.

Offensively for Virginia Tech, I was impressed with Grant Wells (mainly second quarter and third quarter) display through the air against Old Dominion. Purdue replaces a bulk of their secondary, so there should be some openings for Wells once again to link up with his Transfer WRs. I do question how long it will take Wells to settle into the game. I also heavily question the ability for the offensive line to create for the Virginia Tech running backs. I'm worried that a combination of Wells starting slow and the inability to run the ball will limit the possessions VT has to match Purdue. It always comes down to turnover differential, but it just feels like on even footing, Virginia Tech is at a slight disadvantage and will have to rely on their run game to ice Purdue out of the game, which I'm predicting against.

Prediction:Virginia Tech 24, Purdue 28

Doug Bowman

I think this is going to be a tight one. It seems like both teams have a little bit of offensive ability, especially at receiver, with some legitimate concerns elsewhere. Neither is close to a finished product. This is going to be a much tougher test for the Hokies than ODU was and I’m not sure they are consistent enough at this point to hang. I think it gets a little shootout-ish for a bit before Purdue pulls away. 

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27,Purdue 36

Andrew Alix

Saturday marks a big opportunity for the Pry regime. Tech hasn’t beaten a non-conference Power 5 opponent at home since “Tyrod did it, Mikey”. For those keeping track at home, that was 14 years ago. Excuse me for being a little pessimistic (Editor's Note: Are we surprised?). I don’t think Purdue is a world beater by any means. They are in a year of transition, just as the Hokies were last season. That being said, the reigning Big Ten West champions still have a decent amount of talent on the roster. In a tight matchup, it’s the battle in the trenches that stands out to me. Can the Hokies O-Line handle Purdue up front? Can the Hokies stop the run? If the answer is yes, then my prediction will be wrong.I have my doubts.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Purdue 33

Kolby Crawford

The Boilermakers roll into Blacksburg as just a shell of the squad that contested in the B10 Championship a season ago. However, first-year head coach Ryan Walters, like Coach Pry, also dipped into the transfer portal and found himself a gunslinger in former Texas quarterback Hudson Card. Paired with the Iowa transfer, and super senior return specialist Tyrone Tracy Jr., as well as returning skill position stars Deion Burks and Devin Mockobee, this squad is not to be taken lightly.

Still, I believe Grant Wells and the Hokies keep the momentum rolling and defend their home turf in Lane. However, I do believe the Hokies secondary gets challenged much more in this game as compared to the ODU contest. It will be interesting to see but I think the Hokies squeak out a win in an offensive-jam-packed shootout.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 41, Purdue 38