No. 24 Virginia Tech (8-3, 4-3 ACC, CFP No. 25) at Virginia (6-5, 3-4), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Virginia Tech by 7.
Series record: Virginia Tech leads 56-37-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Bowl positioning, state bragging rights and, in some cases, a recruiting advantage. Virginia Tech has won 13 in a row in the Commonwealth Cup series, and if Bronco Mendenhall can lead Virginia to a victory, it could make a big statement to blue-chip targets in Virginia and surrounding states that the Cavaliers are back on their way up.
KEY MATCHUP
Virginia QB Kurt Benkert against the Virginia Tech defense. When Benkert has been good, he has been very good, and that often is a reflection on the amount of pressure being applied. Hokies defensive coordinator Bug Foster is a master at providing disruption that can leave a quarterback rattled and rushing his throws.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Virginia Tech: QB Josh Jackson. The redshirt freshman has good numbers with 18 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, but he’s irked coach Justin Fuente with some decisions of late in the Hokies’ biggest games. In his last three games, he’s thrown one touchdown pass and three interceptions.
Virginia: WR Andre Levrone. Big, physical and fast, he’s Benkert’s primary target on deep balls and leads the Cavaliers with seven touchdown catches. At 6-foot-3, he can be a tough cover for smaller defensive backs. His touchdown catches have covered an average of more than 42 yards per play.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Hokies have won 17 of the last 18 meetings and have never lost to Virginia since joining the ACC in 2004. … Their 52-10 victory last season matched the most points they have ever scores against the Cavaliers. … Quarterbacks are completing just 46.6 percent of their passes against the Hokies. … Virginia is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011. … Benkert needs 101 passing yards to set a Virginia single-season record, passing Matt Schaub’s 2,976 in 2002. … Benkert has TD throws of 81, 75 and 73 yards, each to a different receiver. … Virginia’s Olamide Zaccheaus (76 catches, 794 yards) and Doni Dowling (46-614) have each caught five touchdown passes.
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