Virginia Tech Football: Purdue Q&A Preview

For the first time in program history, the Hokies will travel to West Lafayette, Indiana on Saturday to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (1-1). After a tough loss to Marshall to open the season, the Boilermakers bounced back last weekend to defeat Indiana State behind strong performances from QB Austin Appleby and tailback D.J. Knox. Saturday's match-up will be huge for both programs, as they look to knock off a Power 5 foe and use it as a springboard for their remaining schedule. I once again had the pleasure of exchanging questions and answers with Mike Carmin of the Lafayette Journal & Courier. Mike's answers to my questions are below, and you can find my answers at the Lafayette Journal & Courier later today.

The Boilermakers lost their season opener against a plucky Marshall team, and followed that up with an easy win over Indiana State last Saturday. What did you see from the Boilermakers through the first two games that surprised you, and how does the 2015 team compare to Darrell Hazell's teams from the past few years?

The biggest difference is how much the players have transformed their bodies into Big Ten-type players. Not everyone is there yet, but the offseason conditioning program is doing what it's supposed to do. This has helped Purdue become a stronger team, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. The Boilermakers have experience upfront and now they have the physical strength, helping the running game progress through the first two games. This is an improved team from last year and even two years ago when Hazell took over, but a lot of work remains for this program to challenge in the Big Ten West.

Through two games, Purdue has been led by two young tailbacks: Sophomore D.J. Knox and freshman Markell Jones. Tell us a little about the running styles of these two backs and how you expect them (and the Purdue o-line) to match up against the Virginia Tech front seven?

Knox and Jones just run hard. They're about the same size, but what gets overlooked is their strength. Knox benched 410 pounds this summer and Jones is equally as strong, especially in the lower body. Their legs keep moving, even after first contact. In the first game, they carried a combined 34 times but didn't have a negative rushing play. Jones still doesn't have a negative rushing play.

It helps that the offensive line has experience and is doing its part. Interestingly, Knox led the team in receptions against Marshall and Jones was the leader in the second game. They're more than just weapons in the run game.

After an up-and-down game in Huntington, starting QB Austin Appleby appeared to settle in last week against the Sycamores. The Hokies have struggled in recent years defending deceptively mobile quarterbacks like Appleby, but could simply plan to stop the run and force him to beat them through the air. How has Appleby looked passing the ball thus far, and what do you see OC John Shoop doing to try and put him in position to succeed against Bud Foster's defense?

Four interceptions in the opener. Four touchdowns against Indiana State, including three for more than 50 yards. I wouldn't throw Appleby into the running quarterback category just yet, but he has deceptive speed. He's a load to bring down because of his size (6-5, 241). He can pick up yardage in the zone read game and that's where he's had the most success. Appleby is completing 62.2 percent of his passes but tries to put too many throws into tight coverage, leading to mistakes. He has to have a good game for Purdue to be contention and must avoid turnovers. He also needs help from his receivers to create separation in man-to-man coverage. I do like Purdue's offensive line, but I don't think Appleby is going to have a lot of time in the pocket. He'll have to make quick and accurate decisions against this defense.

During our spring Q&A, you mentioned that Shoop might be moving away from two tight end sets and more toward four and five wide sets to create advantageous match-ups along the perimeter. How has the system taken shape thus far, and what tricks should Hokies' fans be looking for on Saturday afternoon from Shoop and his offense?

You'll still see tight ends on the field, but not as much as last year. Purdue has moved to more four and five receiver sets in hopes of stretching the field and producing more big plays. Appleby hit one 50-yard pass against Marshall and pushed the ball down the field more against Indiana State. Otherwise, it's a short passing game trying to create some mismatches with quicker receivers. The offense is using a no-huddle system, trying to play at different speeds. So far, they've had decent success.

Linebackers Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jimmy Herman look to be off to hot starts, anchoring the Purdue defense. How has the defensive unit looked through their first two games, and where would you say they are most susceptible against the Virginia Tech offense?

Other than a couple of drives, including one late against Marshall, the defense hasn't been a big liability. In reality, they gave up 27 points to Marshall when you take out the two pick-sixes, but football doesn't work that way. They had two blown coverages in the secondary, leading to touchdowns last week. Herman has really improved his game where the coaching staff trusts him more in space to make one-on-one tackles. Bentley has been solid the first two games along with most of the interior linemen. The Boilermakers are rotating eight, nine and 10 linemen upfront, which has helped late in games. Purdue has struggled to generate a consistent pass rush from the edge and last week allowed Indiana State's quarterback to get outside and make some plays. Keeping Brenden Motley and Dwayne Lawson in the pocket is a top priority.

Alright, prediction time. How do you see Saturday's match-up between the Hokies and Boilermakers playing out, and who wins?

I'm anticipating a low scoring game by modern college football standards. I see both teams focusing on the running game, but for different reasons. It's Purdue's strength and I think the Hokies want to keep Motley out of predictable passing situations. This would be a big victory for Hazell's program, but they're still learning how to win, evident by how the Marshall game played out. I think the Boilermakers get that signature win this season but not this one. Virginia Tech 25, Purdue 16.