Greg’s Grades And Trends: Virginia Tech

Al Groh once told me that the writer the players hated most was the game grade guy. Lucky me! That likely will continue again this week since the news and the grades are not very good – especially for the offense. In what is becoming a habitual “offense” (pun intended), Virginia’s defense does what it needs to do to win, special teams remained average while continuing to allow sudden change plays, and the offense simply can’t get the job done.

The inability of the UVa offense to connect on routine passes, poor play by a youthful group of wideouts, and inconsistent play by a somewhat veteran offensive line again placed the Cavaliers in a position to lose. The offense ran just 56 plays (its lowest total of the season) compared to the Hokies’ 95 and 6 of 12 chartable drives for the Cavaliers ended in three and outs. No drive lasted longer than 7 plays or 3 minutes.

As for the defense, Jim Reid’s bunch continued a high level of play, giving up just 7 points and scoring half of UVa’s 14. The Hoos held the Hokies to their worst offensive output of the 2012 campaign (303 yards), their lowest yards per play (3.19), fewest passing yards (129), lowest yards per attempt (3.4), and lowest yards per play (3.19) of the season while also handing VT its lowest QB rating in its last 24 games (84.58). Tech’s offense also produced the third lowest third down conversion rate and its third lowest completion percentage of the season as well. Reid’s defense forced Tech into 18 second-and-long situations and 13 third-and-long chances. The 17 points allowed by UVa tied for Tech’s second least productive total of the season. Overall, a stellar effort by the D worthy of the championship level grade below.

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