X-Factor: A strong secondary is key to defeating a strong Virginia Tech offense

<p>The Blue Devils' defense will need to be aggressive against Virginia Tech Saturday.</p>

The Blue Devils' defense will need to be aggressive against Virginia Tech Saturday.

Every week throughout the football season, the Blue Zone will break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest. Fresh off of its fourth consecutive win, Duke will host Virginia Tech on Saturday. Here is our Conner McLeod's X-Factor for the contest:

Duke: Safety Dylan Singleton

The injury bug has plagued the Blue Devils significantly this season, taking out their starting quarterback Daniel Jones and a big chunk of their secondary, including All-ACC cornerback Mark Gilbert and Michael Carter II. In arguably its most important game of the season, Duke’s defense will be tested by a Virginia Tech offense loaded with talent at its wide receiver slots. However, without the leadership usually brought to the field by Gilbert and Carter, it is up to junior Dylan Singleton to make things happen in Duke’s backline.

Singleton has taken on a big load, co-leading the team in total tackles with 31 and otherwise taking a leadership role as one of Duke’s most experienced defensive backs. This leadership has helped Duke’s underclassmen defensive backs Marquis Waters and Joshua Blackwell develop and perform well when called upon. 

Against Virginia Tech it will be important for Singleton to anchor the defensive backfield and make sure that inexperienced Hokie quarterback Ryan Willis does not have any easy reads or passes to make, which will give Duke’s front seven ample time to pressure him in the pocket. This will lead to numerous turnover opportunities for Singleton and his comrades if the Hokies opt to test the arm of Willis, who has not had the best track record of throwing the football in his career. 

Virginia Tech: Running back Steven Peoples

The past five days have not been kind to Virginia Tech’s football program, losing to unranked Old Dominion, dismissing its star defensive end Trevon Hill, and most importantly, losing its starting quarterback Josh Jackson to injury. Although Willis will be the one behind center against Duke Saturday night, the Hokies' coaches will look to running back Steven Peoples to ignite their offense.

Peoples has already cemented his dominant spot in the backfield for the Hokies, rushing for 255 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Fuente called upon the Galax, Va. native to carry the offensive load against Old Dominion after Jackson’s injury, and Peoples delivered, rushing for a career-high 156 yards. Peoples should expect to hear his name called quite a bit against Duke, as Willis may not have what it takes to beat the Blue Devils in the air.

It is important to note that Duke’s run defense is efficient for the most part, but the front seven appears slow to the ball at times, leading to big opportunities for opponents on the ground. If Peoples can find the correct gaps in Duke’s defense, he could very well be the reason why Virginia Tech leaves Durham, N.C. with a victory.

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