Virginia Tech Vs. Stanford: 2011 Orange Bowl Predictions & TV Time

The 2011 Orange Bowl football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Stanford Cardinal is scheduled for January 3rd (8:30 PM EST) at Sun Life Stadium. ESPN will broadcast this game. Virginia Tech is 13th in the BCS, spotting an 11-2 record; Stanford ranks #4 in the country, with a record of 11-1. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2011 Orange Bowl football game between Virginia Tech and Stanford.

1) Virginia Tech-Stanford Matchup

Monday's Orange Bowl features two quality college football programs in the Virginia Tech Hokies and Stanford Cardinal. Since opening the season with 2 losses, the Hokies have reeled off 11 straight victories. Additionally, Virginia Tech is 3-1 against ranked teams. Likewise, the Cardinal is currently on a 7-game winning streak. Stanford's only defeat this year came against BCS finalist Oregon. It is safe to say that both teams come into this contest in their best form.

2) Tyrod Taylor vs. Andrew Luck

The only college football game on the first Monday of 2011 pits two quarterbacks with similar stats against one another. For the season, Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor has thrown for 2521 yards with 23 TDs and a QB rating of 159. Stanford's Andrew Luck is a little better numbers-wise. The Cardinal starter has accumulated to date 3051 passing yards, 28 TDs, and a 166 QB rating. Statistically speaking, Luck has a slight edge over Taylor.

3) Frank Beamer vs. Jim Harbaugh

Since the BCS championship game was introduced, the four major bowl games have lost a considerable amount of interest. Still, the entertaining quality of these bowl games has not seen a drastic decline. Case in point, the Orange Bowl match-up of Virginia Tech Hokies and Stanford Cardinal has all the makings of a great game. Both teams come into this contest, wanting and expecting to win; this should make for a highly entertaining affair.

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Since its 0-2 start to the season, Virginia Tech has been on a tear winning 11 consecutive games. The team's big turnaround can be attributed to its all-round game. Frank Beamer's team is terrific on both ends of the field. The Hokies rank 19th in points scored and 15th in points allowed. More impressively, the team has scored at least 30 points in a game 9 times this season while also holding its opponent to less than 22 points a game 9 times. The team's one weakness this year has been its passing game, which ranks 73rd overall.

If not for the loss against Oregon, the Stanford Cardinal might have had a shot at a national title. Aside from this lone defeat, the Cardinal has been utterly dominant on both offense and defense. Jim Harbaugh's team has scored at least 31 points (going to as high as 68) in 11 of 12 contested games. Moreover, Stanford has held its opponent to less than 17 points 8 times this season including 3 shutouts. Harbaugh's crew does not have a glaring weakness, though its passing game could be a little better. With both teams playing so well, this game is very much a toss up.

My prediction for the 2011 Orange Bowl football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and Stanford Cardinal: Stanford wins a nail-biter 35-31. Kickoff time for the game is 8:30 PM EST. ESPN will broadcast this contest.

Reference:
ESPN.COM