The Virginia Tech Hokies [2-7] travel to Durham Saturday to face the surprising Duke Blue Devils [6-3].
The most interesting aspect of this game is it’s a battle of first-year, defensive-minded head coaches in Brent Pry [Virginia Tech] and Mike Elko [Duke]. The Blue Devils were winless in ACC only one year ago and are already bowl-eligible in Elko’s first season. Meanwhile, the Hokies are currently riding a six-game losing streak.
Elko was among the many candidates for the Virginia Tech job that would eventually go to Pry. Both Elko and Pry had numerous ties to the region and were two of the best defensive coordinators in college football.