Keys to the Game Saturday, September 26, 2015 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina vs. Virginia Tech

3:30 pm | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (50,000) | TV: ABC/ESPN2

By Kevin Monroe
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All rights reserved.

East Carolina and Virginia Tech have a rivalry that started earlier than most fans realize. The first game was in 1956, but there was a three-decade gap before game two in 1987. After it was resumed, the series was back and forth before the Hokies won six straight from 1993 to 2007. More recently, the Pirates have had some success, prevailing in two of the last six matchups, including last year in Blacksburg. The last three contests have all been decided by 7 points or less.

To beat the Hokies today in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, the Pirates will need to follow this script:

PROTECT THE FOOTBALL

Today's game will be sloppy. Rain has already made its entrance and game time weather looks to be much of the same. ECU played in similar conditions in Philadelphia last season and had 5 turnovers in a loss to the Temple Owls. Four of those giveaways came on 4 fumbles.

Tech is a team that has thrived off turnovers during head coach Frank Beamer's tenure. Longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster preaches attacking the football in the air and separating it from ball carriers.

MOVE THE CHAINS

In a bad weather game, the team that can get first downs and maintain possession of the football will have the advantage. This type of weather favors a team that can run the football, a facet of the game about which the jury is still out regarding ECU. The Pirates showed great promise running the ball in the season opener against Towson. Chris Hairston had a career day against the Tigers, but the Pirates' ground game has been stymied since then.

ECU's spread option play has been hampered because of the lack of a quarterback rushing threat. Defensive players have been swarming the backs and not concerning themselves with the quarterbacks running the ball. To be successful today, the threat of the QB run will need to be there. The Hokies are averaging 221.7 rushing yards per game while giving up 213 yards per game on the ground. Passing the football will still be important, but the weather will dictate how much of that either team can do.

MAKE THE BIG PLAYS

This game will be hard fought by two well-coached teams. Every football game between two worthy opponents usually comes down to 6 or 7 important plays. Among those plays will often be two or three that are explosion plays – plays that go for more than 20 yards. The breakout plays can come from the running game, through the air or on special teams. The Pirates will have to be particularly sound in the kicking game to keep the Hokies from blocking a kick or returning one for a touchdown.

The team that can create a few explosion plays and prevent the opponent from doing the same will have a good chance of winning this game.

BOTTOM LINE

The team that handles today's weather the best will be victorious. Not letting the things that you can't control dictate the game is something the Coach Ruff often talks about. The Pirates can control their own destiny today by protecting the ball, moving the chains and being on the positive end of the big plays. Fans are not going to want to miss this one.

E-mail Kevin Monroe.

PAGE UPDATED 09/26/15 02:36 PM.