The Virginia Tech Hokies are gearing up to host the Syracuse Orange in a thrilling Thursday night Week 9 matchup in Blacksburg, Virginia. Coming off a confidence-boosting win against Wake Forest, the Hokies are looking to continue their success and improve their conference record. Meanwhile, the Orange, who have faced tough competition in recent weeks, are eager to bounce back with a victory.

Syracuse has endured a challenging stretch, facing off against some of the ACC's strongest teams including Clemson, North Carolina, and Florida State in their last three outings. However, their upcoming game against Virginia Tech presents an opportunity to compete against the conference's next tier teams on a national stage.

Head coach Dino Babers has built a solid program at Syracuse, with the Orange consistently performing well in the ACC over the past few years. Despite a slow start this season with three consecutive losses against formidable opponents, the team is determined to turn their fortunes around.

Offensively, Syracuse has shown promise with quarterback Garrett Shrader leading the charge. The Orange have averaged 28.6 points per game, showcasing their ability to put points on the board. However, their struggle lies in gaining yards efficiently and maintaining a consistent offensive rhythm. With rankings of 94th in Success Rate on the ground and 67th through the air, Syracuse will need to find ways to sustain long drives and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Defensively, the Orange have been impressive, allowing only 22 points per game. Ranked 49th in Defensive Success Rate, the Syracuse defense has proven to be a formidable force for opposing offenses. Their ability to create turnovers, with 12 forced turnovers in seven games, will be a crucial factor in their quest for their first conference win of the season.

Virginia Tech, on the other hand, enters the game with momentum following a significant home victory against Wake Forest. The Hokies currently hold a 2-1 conference record and are looking to build on their overall standing of 3-4 after a challenging start to the season.

The Hokies have historically performed well at home, benefiting from the electric atmosphere in Blacksburg. Offensively, Virginia Tech has been solid, averaging 24 points per game. However, similar to Syracuse, they face difficulties in moving the ball effectively. Ranked 93rd in Offensive Success Rate, the Hokies will need to find ways to improve their efficiency on offense.

Virginia Tech's success heavily relies on their defense, which boasts a ranking of 28th in Defensive Success Rate. While the Hokies allow an average of 24 points per game, their weakness lies in limiting explosive plays. Their 103rd ranking in defensive explosiveness has proven costly in their losses this season.

In this matchup, Syracuse's offensive explosiveness, ranked 69th, presents an opportunity for the Orange to exploit Virginia Tech's vulnerability. The Hokies will need to remain focused and limit big plays to secure a victory.

As both teams prepare to face off in Blacksburg, football fans can anticipate an engaging and closely contested ACC showdown. Will the Orange overcome the odds as 3-point underdogs or will the Hokies continue their upward trajectory? The answer await Thursday night, October 26, when the Syracuse Orange take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in what promises to be an exciting clash of ACC rivals.