Keys to the Game: The Sugar Bowl

Snubbed by the BCS calculators and slide rules, SEC champion and #3 Auburn heads into the Sugar Bowl with a big chip on its shoulder. They will want to start fast and finish faster, looking to steamroll ACC champion and #9 Virginia Tech to show the college football world that they belonged in Miami, not New Orleans. Tech will gladly accept the challenge, playing up the role of the heavy underdog as only the Hokies can do. While Auburn tries its best to shake the distractions and disappointment of the BCS snub, the Hokies return for the third time to their favorite bowl destination, with confidence, karma, and no pressure.

As usual, in this article I will focus on specific factors that will be key for Tech’s success on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. I considered adding a special teams section this time, but I haven’t done that so far and who am I to mess with karma? Plus, I’m a little superstitious when it comes to the Hokies, so offensive and defensive keys it is.

Enough of the fluffy introduction stuff. Let’s get to the details….

Tech Defense vs. Auburn Offense

...