The world of college football is abuzz with excitement as two of the most storied programs in the nation prepare to face off in a rivalry renewed. The Tennessee Volunteers are set to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in a matchup that promises to be an instant classic. With a rich history of competition between the two teams, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming battle.
The Tennessee-Virginia Tech rivalry has a long and storied past, with the two teams having met on the gridiron 11 times since 1896. The Volunteers hold a slight edge in the series, with a 7-4 record against the Hokies. However, the two teams have not faced each other in over a decade, and the rivalry has been rekindled in recent years.
The History of the Rivalry
The Tennessee-Virginia Tech rivalry has its roots in the early days of college football. The two teams first met in 1896, with the Volunteers emerging victorious 5-0. The series has been marked by periods of dominance by both teams, with the Volunteers holding a 5-1 edge from 1962-1987. However, the Hokies have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, winning three of the last four meetings between the two teams.
Recent Matchups
The last meeting between the two teams came in 2016, when the Volunteers traveled to Blacksburg and emerged victorious 45-24. The game was marked by a dominating performance by Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns. The Volunteers also got a strong performance from their running back, Jalen Hurd, who rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown.
In their last meeting at Neyland Stadium, the Hokies came away with a 27-24 victory in 2013. The game was marked by a strong defensive effort by Virginia Tech, which held the Volunteers to just 248 total yards.
Top Players to Watch
As the two teams prepare to face off, there are several players who will be worth keeping an eye on. For the Volunteers, quarterback Harrison Bailey is expected to be a major factor, having thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. Running back Ty Chandler is also expected to play a key role, having rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
For the Hokies, quarterback Braxton Burmeister is expected to lead the charge, having thrown for over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Running back Raheem Blackshear is also expected to be a major factor, having rushed for over 900 yards and 5 touchdowns last season.
Coaching Matchup
The coaching matchup between the two teams is also expected to be a major factor in the game. Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt is in his third season at the helm of the Volunteers, and has led the team to a 17-9 record during his tenure. Pruitt is known for his strong defensive background, having served as the defensive coordinator at Alabama and Georgia before taking the head coaching job at Tennessee.
Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente is in his fifth season at the helm of the Hokies, and has led the team to a 32-21 record during his tenure. Fuente is known for his strong offensive background, having served as the offensive coordinator at Memphis and TCU before taking the head coaching job at Virginia Tech.
Game Predictions
As the two teams prepare to face off, several experts are weighing in with their predictions for the game. ESPN's David Hale predicts that the Volunteers will emerge victorious, citing their strong defensive performance last season. "Tennessee's defense was one of the best in the country last season, and I expect them to be just as strong this year," Hale said.
CBS Sports' Jerry Palm disagrees, predicting that the Hokies will come away with the victory. "Virginia Tech's offense was one of the most improved in the country last season, and I expect them to be just as potent this year," Palm said.
Who is the all-time leader in passing yards for Tennessee?
+Tyler Bray is the all-time leader in passing yards for Tennessee, having thrown for 7,444 yards from 2010-2012.
Who is the all-time leader in rushing yards for Virginia Tech?
+Lee Suggs is the all-time leader in rushing yards for Virginia Tech, having rushed for 3,425 yards from 1999-2002.
What is the largest margin of victory for Tennessee in the series?
+The largest margin of victory for Tennessee in the series is 45 points, which came in a 49-4 victory in 1963.
As the Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech Hokies prepare to face off, fans are eagerly anticipating the renewed rivalry between the two teams. With a rich history of competition and several key players to watch, this matchup promises to be an instant classic.