Fresh off a much-needed bye week, Duke football is rested and ready to make a run at the top of the ACC standings with a home matchup against Virginia Tech on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3 ACC) enter the game looking to keep their momentum going after a strong start to the season, while the Hokies (5-5, 3-3) are fighting for bowl eligibility after heavy. losses to No. 17 Clemson and Syracuse.

Even though Virginia Tech returns 22 starters from a team that won a bowl game last December, according to 247 sportshe still hasn’t hit his stride with just two games left in the regular season.

Now that the Blue Devils are back at home, they look to take advantage of the Hokies’ two-game losing streak. Virginia Tech has had solid conference wins this season, including wins over Boston College and Georgia Tech. However, it has struggled to keep up with top-tier competition. A Nov. 9 matchup with Clemson exposed inconsistencies, especially on offense. The Tigers stymied the Hokies with aggressive defense and strong play from quarterback Cade Klubnik, holding them to a season-low 228 yards. Virginia Tech’s offense also went a staggering 2-for-14 on third-down conversions, further highlighting their offensive struggles.

The Hokies have leaned heavily on their ground game this season with Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten as key contributors in the backcourt. The ability to set the run has been key in many of Virginia Tech’s wins, allowing it to control the clock, support runs and take pressure off drones in the pocket. The Hokies’ rushing attack has been particularly effective at opening up opportunities for passing plays, which helps keep the defense off balance.

Drones, a dual-threat quarterback, added a new dimension to Virginia Tech’s rushing attack. While his primary role is as a thrower, Drones’ ability to post the ball and run at it has turned him into an additional weapon in the ground game. So far this season, Drones has rushed for 336 yards on 98 carries for an average of 3.4 yards per carry. He also racked up six rushing touchdowns, showing his ability to run the ball in short-yardage situations. This allows head coach Brent Pry to use the drones as a multi-faceted offensive weapon.

While the Hokies’ rushing offense is strong, if Duke’s defense can shut down the run game and force the visitors into predictable passing situations, it will limit their offensive options and create numerous scoring opportunities.