BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - With Tyrod Taylor nursing a right ankle sprain and questionable for Thursday night's game against No. 2 Boston College, the No. 8 Hokies and Eagles are both preparing for two quarterbacks whose styles don't compare.
Taylor, a freshman, has started in five consecutive victories for the Hokies (6-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) since being elevated to No. 1 after a 48-7 loss at LSU. The theory then was that Taylor's mobility would help mask deficiencies in an offensive line hampered by injuries and inexperience.
When Taylor injured his ankle early in the second quarter of a victory against Duke on Oct. 13, the former starter Sean Glennon led the Hokies on three straight TD drives. He finished 16-for-21 for 258 yards with two touchdowns and without an interception.
Coach Frank Beamer said Tuesday he doesn't think Taylor would play if he's not close to 100 percent recovered, especially not considering the stakes. The Eagles (7-0, 3-0) are one of only two other unbeatens in ACC play, and the Hokies will play the other one in their traditional Thanksgiving weekend contest at Virginia.
"I don't think you put Tyrod out there gimpy," Beamer said. "I think this is going to be a violent game. I think it's going to be one of those tough, tough, tough football games, and I don't think you want a guy that's not 100 percent out there."
The Eagles have the nation's top rushing defense, allowing 46.6 yards per game, and also lead with 18 interceptions.
When the change was made, Beamer said it wasn't as much an indictment on Glennon's play as it was a strategy adjustment. The offensive line has improved, but Virginia Tech is averaging only 119.4 yards rushing, 90th nationally.
Glennon initially took the demotion poorly, but the Hokies said his crisp performance against the Blue Devils showed he's bounced back since.
"It was good for him," left tackle Duane Brown said. "I know he got down on himself being that he had to sit out for a while and watch the offense go on without him. Being able to come in and have a great game, I think he got some of his confidence back."
Glennon started every game for the Hokies last season, and eventually came to believe he might be needed again and had to be ready to take over, Beamer said.
"I think it was very obvious how he came in and was able to play against Duke that he just was prepared," Beamer said. "This week, I see a bounce in his step."
Preparing a game plan isn't easy for either side when the quarterback is in question, Beamer said.
Boston College needs to prepare for a scrambler and a pocket passer. For Virginia Tech, the play-calling varies depending on who's in.
Though Beamer said the impact on the game is overblown.
To the Hokies receivers, it doesn't matter.
"We played with Sean before. I believe they have 100 percent confidence that every receiver's going to catch the ball, and we have 100 percent in whatever quarterback's going to play," Hokies receiver Justin Harper said. "We're ready to play. We're ready to catch that rock."
In Chestnut Hill, Mass., where the Eagles handed the Hokies a 22-3 loss last season and intercepted Glennon twice, linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar would prefer to know which quarterback will play for the Hokies.
A bigger issue could be what happened last year at BC, when the Hokies' second loss in a row all but eliminated them from ACC title contention.
"We had that mentality last year," Dunbar said of wanting to avenge a loss. "The year before, we went down there and got beat bad. I'm sure it could be in their mind."
The game will mark the 16th time that Virginia Tech has played in a Thursday night game televised by ESPN. The Hokies are 13-2 overall in those games and 8-1 at home.
Both of the losses have come to Boston College.
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After watching Matt Ryan a few times this year I have been totally impressed with him and his ability to move the team and score points.
My instinct is to put my money down on BC and Matt Ryan in this game. If I do he will probably tank like a mofo , as college is not treating me so good. I think I will just watch this one.
I dont like that the QB Taylor is not going to play from all indications.
