Virginia Tech Hokies
Overall Rank: #17
Atlantic Coast Conference Rank: #2
Virginia Tech Team Page
2010 Record: (11-3, 9-0)
2010 Bowl: BCS Orange Bowl vs. Stanford (L 40-12)
Coach: Frank Beamer (198-95-2 at Virginia Tech, 240-118-4 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Bryan Stinespring
Defensive Coordinator: Bud Foster
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: David Wilson, RB, 619 yards
Passing: Logan Thomas, QB, 107 yards
Receiving: Jarrett Boykin, WR, 847 yards
Tackles: Bruce Taylor, LB, 91
Sacks: Bruce Taylor, LB, 6.0
Interceptions: Jayron Hosley, CB, 9
Other Key Returnees: WR Danny Coale, OT Blake DeChristopher, LB Barquell Rivers, WR Dyrell Roberts, S Eddie Whitley
Key Losses: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Darren Evans, RB Ryan Williams, OT Ed Wang, C Beau Warren, DL Steven Friday, LB Lyndell Gibson, CB Rashard Carmichael, S Davon Morgan
After a tumultuous beginning to the 2010 season, which saw the Hokies lose back-to-back games to Boise State and FCS’ James Madison, Virginia Tech rebounded splendidly. They won 11 consecutive games, went undefeated in the ACC and won yet another Atlantic Coast Conference title. With much talk of Florida State coming back to the level of the elites this season, Virginia Tech will be looking to prove they are the cream of the ACC crop, as they have been since coming to the conference just seven years ago.
Strengths:
Saying a team’s strengths is its experience and coaching staff is usually a sign of a depleted roster. Virginia Tech is no exception. After losing much of their talent on the offensive side of the ball to the NFL, the Hokies will rely on those intangibles to get them by. Last year the trail was blazed as they led the nation in turnover differential. Hokies’ fans hope for much of the same as a young defense will be molded by one of the best defensive coordinators in all the land, Bud Foster, and Head Coach Frank Beamer will once again instill special teams importance to buoy an inexperienced offense. Perhaps the one veteran group on the offensive side of the ball is the receiving corps, led by deep threat Jarrett Boykin. He and Danny Coale should do wonders for a first year starting quarterback. On the defensive side, experience exists in the backfield where one of the best cornerbacks in the country, Jayron Hosley, will make things difficult for opponents. In 2010, he led the nation in interceptions, a fact which may lead to teams avoiding him more this season.
Weaknesses:
After a season where a team’s four year starting quarterback graduates and two top running backs leave to play professionally, there is no getting around the fact that Virginia Tech is trying to defend their ACC title with a very young and inexperienced team, especially on offense. Quarterback Logan Thomas will be the starter for the first time after only throwing for 107 yards all of last season. Return extraordinaire, David Wilson, will also be instilled as the number one running back for the first time after being quite acclimated to a time share with one and often two other runners. With the summer injury to top offensive lineman Blake DeChristopher, which could cause him to miss a few weeks of the season, much of the offense’s success will rely on Thomas limiting mistakes and Wilson being able to carry a full-time load, two things no one is sure will happen.
On the defensive side of things, Virginia Tech was unusually bad last year even with such a successful season. Coach Foster will have to work with a new load of defensive linemen and linebackers this season, hoping his defensive backs can make up for many mistakes that will take place in the front seven.
The Bottom Line:
The ACC is winnable again for this Hokies team, even with their large roster turnover. Although Florida State is the preseason favorite, Virginia Tech’s schedule is very easy, especially early in the season. This can only help a young quarterback and new offense develop, not having to face the early season powerhouses like USC and Boise State that Tech has scheduled in recent seasons. If Virginia Tech does fall short of another conference championship, a trip to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl seems reasonable considering their history and pedigree. Unfortunately, this does not seem like the season Coach Beamer finally battles for that National Championship win. Instead, he will look to continue his impressive streak of bowl appearances and 10-win seasons.
Projected Bowl: Chick-Fil-A Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 198.71 (23rd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 203.57 (72, 8)
Total Offense: 402.29 (41, 5)
Scoring Offense: 33.86 (21, 1)
Rushing Defense: 155.93 (64, 7)
Pass Defense: 205.57 (40, 5)
Total Defense: 361.50 (52, 8)
Scoring Defense: 20.57 (26, 4)
Turnover Margin: 1.36 (1, 1)
Sacks: 2.43 (30, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 2.43 (86, 10)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#47 Jayron Hosley
#77 Blake DeChristopher
Check out another article about Virginia Tech football.
