their QB in the preseason. Having watched the NCS - WF game, I would say if they are as solid if they played vs. Wake, they win for several reasons:

1. They have played for a game and VT hasn't . This matters especially this year because most teams haven't have much practice and/or actual games played this whole year.

2. They have a good experienced O-line from what I saw from the game. They pretty much moved the ball at will most of the game. Although nobody knows how to prepare for VT's defense since no one knows how they will line up, Charley Wiles probably has a good idea how they will line up if anyone knows, having worked with J. Hamilton the past 2 years. I think NCS will be better prepared for the VT defense than anyone else could be.

3. VT seems to be missing the larger portion of crucial returners/starters than NCS, due to covid, draft declarations, or just injuries or personal matters.

4. VT defensive players have ZERO game experience, and more importantly minimal practice experience playing in what is reportedly a different defense, in an off year where this was crucial. Also have a completely unproven 1st year DC, who has never coordinated a P5 game before. We have no clue if he's any good. Given NCS's experienced O-line and running game, it could potentially be a defensive debacle and blowout like GT/Pitt games 2 years ago.

Reasons VT might win:
1. An experienced VT offense and QB may do quite well against a NCS defense that was just porous vs. WF. I have some real issues with predicting a stellar VT offense this year. Cornelson is still a mediocre OC, and despite the RB transfers like Herbert and Blackshear, Fuente has never been known for a prolific or even good running game. Wiles is again the wild card here. After 4 years, he undoubtedly knows Fu's offense and its strengths/weaknesses and this could play a big factor.

2. If the NCS QB's really stink it up, and this is possible since none of them are proven, then VT may have a real chance to win this, but this is true of any matchup. I think 3 or 4 interceptions wins the game for us.

Summary
Like Will and Chris, I just think the odds are stacked against us. I could be wrong, and all 3 of us could be eating crow, but I'll be happy to be proven wrong.