I pulled the numbers for EPA per play on offense and defense, as well as success rate and explosive rate for offense, and defense for Weeks 1-4. Spoiler alert, Virginia Tech is below-average to average at everything. Here's to hoping that those numbers improve after the next third of the season.
Virginia Tech ranks 79th in EPA per play on offense and 66th in EPA per play on defense. Overall, Virginia Tech ranks 69th in Net EPA per play.
On offense, Virginia Tech ranks 103rd in success rate (ability to make progress towards a first down) at 40.0%, but 23rd in explosive play rate (runs over 15 yards and passes over 20 yards) at 11.0%. Having an explosive offense is about the only thing Virginia Tech can say they do well.
Passing the ball, Virginia Tech is 110th in success rate (36.6%), but 27th in explosive rate (13.4%). Rushing the ball, Virginia Tech is ranked 82nd (42.7%) and 41st respectively (9.1%).
On defense, Virginia Tech ranks 54th in success rate (38.4% allowed) and 65th in explosive play rate (runs over 15 yards and passes over 20 yards) at 7.4% allowed.
Against passing plays, Virginia Tech is 57th success rate (37.4%), but 80th in explosive rate (9.9%). Against rushing plays, Virginia Tech is ranked 60th (39.0%) and 65th (5.8%) respectively.
TL:DR - Virginia Tech is not good at sustaining drives, but we are effective at moving the ball down the field quickly in big chunk plays. The defense is on the better side of average but allows a lot of chunk yardage.
This is oddly similar to last year, even if the record is slightly better. The downside is the remaining schedule has only one team ranked below the Hokies by net EPA per play:
- @ Miami: 3rd
- @ Stanford: 80th
- Boston College: 24th
- Georgia Tech: 43rd
- @ Syracuse: 62nd
- Clemson: 54th
- @ Duke: 52nd
- Virginia: 66th
If Virginia Tech is going to make something happen, they better make some adjustments now.
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