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ACC Championship Game Breakdown

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

NO. 18 BOSTON COLLEGE (9-3) VS. VIRGINIA TECH (8-4)

AT STAKE

The ACC Championship Game winner goes to the Orange Bowl, probably to face Cincinnati, the Big East Conference champion. Boston College, seeking its first BCS bowl, hasn't played in the Orange Bowl since Jan. 1, 1943. Virginia Tech has made three BCS bowl appearances, including last season's 24-21 loss to Kansas at the Orange Bowl.

KEEP AN EYE ON

BOSTON COLLEGE – Eagles LB Mark Herzlich, a first-team All-ACC selection and the league's defensive player of the year. Herzlich has played all three linebacker positions. He leads BC with 98 tackles (and 74 solo stops). He also leads the Eagles in interceptions (six), pass breakups (seven) and forced fumbles (two). "He is amazing,'' BC defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani said. "He does everything you ask and more.''

VIRGINIA TECH – Hokies CB Victor "Macho'' Harris, a first-team All-ACC selection, and one of the nation's most versatile players. Harris has six interceptions, returning them for 142 yards and two touchdowns (he has 15 career interceptions and four scores). He also lines up at wide receiver (eight catches for 63 yards) and in the backfield (five carries for 48 yards). Harris also has returned 20 punts for a 10.3-yard average.

KEY MATCHUPS

BOSTON COLLEGE – The Eagles' defense is ranked seventh nationally against the run (87.3 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry). If BC continues that trend, the Hokies might in big trouble. Virginia Tech, with its QB tandem of Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon, is ranked 110th in passing offense (131.9 yards per game and only six touchdown passes all season, the sixth-worst figure in Division I-A).

VIRGINIA TECH – The Hokies have somewhat undersized defensive ends in senior Orion Martin (6-2, 255) and sophomore Jason Worilds (6-2, 254), but they are active playmakers. They have a man-sized challenge ahead, facing BC's sophomore offensive tackles Anthony Castonzo (6-7, 287) and Rich Lapham (6-8, 322).

KEY STAT

It's a matchup of the ACC's best two defenses – Virginia Tech is first (allowing 274.5 yards per game) and BC is second (276.7). It's a matchup of the ACC's two least-penalized teams – Virginia Tech is first (36.8 yards per game) and BC is second (37.3). Get the picture? Everything about this game suggests two teams that value each possession, meaning that one big play (or one defensive breakdown) could decide things.

INJURY REPORT

BOSTON COLLEGE – QB Chris Crane (broken collarbone) is out.

VIRGINIA TECH – CB Lorenzo Williams (knee) is out. TE Andre Smith (ankle) is probable.

PREDICTION

Boston College 19, Virginia Tech 17

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