Virginia Tech: Schedule Preview and Analysis

Virginia Tech enters this season after winning no less than ten games in each of their last four seasons.  That streak may be in jeopardy as the Hokies face one of the toughest schedules in recent memory.

Ok, so there’s no LSU, no road trip to the media darling that is Clemson, and no USC.  However, there are trips to FSU, Miami, UNC, Boston College, and Nebraska, which could pose some problems early on since this team lacks a lot of experience.

The Hokies have been road warriors ever since joining the ACC as they’ve gone 15-1 at opposing ACC venues since 2004.  If Tech wants to make a return trip to sunny, south Florida they will once again have to work their magic away from the friendly confines of Lane Stadium.

8/30:  At ECU (Charlotte)

This game will set the tone for the rest of the 2008 season.  A win will give this young team some confidence early on and will really help the team mature but a loss could put Tech behind the 8-ball.

The good news for Hokie fans is that ECU’s offense will more than likely take a small step back this season without the service of running back Chris Johnson.   This means that as long as Tech can get a few touchdowns on the board then they should be able to hold on the ECU attack and leave Charlotte with a “W.”

9/6:  vs Furman

If you are not a fan of the new NIKE jerseys that the Hokies will wear this year then make sure you attend the Furman game since Tech will be sporting the all-white throwbacks. 

Anyway, this game shouldn’t be all that close.  Coach Foster should be able to design some blitzing packages in order to keep the Paladins guessing en route to another old fashion VT shutout.

The Furman Paladins almost knocked off UNC a few years back and lost 38-10 to Clemson last season. 

9/13:  vs Georgia Tech

Former Navy head coach Paul Johnson has officially taken over in Atlanta and should prove to be a good hire for the Yellow Jackets down the road.

This game will be very interesting to watch to say the least.  It could be anywhere from a blowout to a close, low scoring battle between these two teams.  It depends on how both teams have developed through the first few games of the season.

The biggest question for both teams will be how well Georgia Tech can execute the triple-option style of offense.  If the Hokies defense can shut down that kind of attack and the Yellow Jackets cough up a few fumbles then it can be “good night sweetheart” for Georgia Tech. 

9/20:  at North Carolina

The Tar Heels will look to make a strong push towards an ACC championship this year and they would take a giant step forward if they could knock off the Hokies early in the season.

UNC returns practically everybody from a 2007 squad that went 4-8 on the season.  The offense should be much improved with sophomore Greg Little getting a whole off-season to prepare at running back and TJ Yates receiving surgery on the shoulder that bothered him throughout much of last year. 

If the Hokies want to have success against the Tar Heels they will need to establish the running game early and use the play action to take advantage of the young safeties that like to play up near the line of scrimmage.

This is going to be a really tough game for the Hokies as UNC matches up quite well.  At best, this game is a toss up at this point. 


9/27:  at Nebraska

Virginia Tech hasn’t faired well lately against out of conference prestigious football programs.  They’ve lost to USC, Auburn, UGA, and LSU since being in the ACC.

With that being said, I think this will finally be the year that Tech gets over the hump and beats a big-time out of conference foe.  Nebraska is going through a rebuilding stage right now, which means the Hokies should be catching them at the right time.

Since Tech probably won’t be in the picture for a chance at a National Championship this game doesn’t really mean much except bragging rights for the rematch in Blacksburg next year. 

10/4:  vs. Western Kentucky

The Hilltoppers have posted twelve straight winning seasons and should have a talented enough squad to easily make that thirteen straight after this season.

However, barring a strange turn of events I don’t see Western Kentucky walking away from Blacksburg with a win.   They have too many holes to fill on defense and their defensive line lack the size to compete in the trenches with the behemoths on Tech’s offensive line.

Unless the Hokies overlook them this should be an easy twenty to thirty point win in favor of Virginia Tech.

10/18: at Boston College

The Eagles have really been a thorn in the side over the last few years since they’ve knocked off the Hokies back-to-back times on Thursday night.  Tech finally got some revenge in the ACC Championship game, which sent Matt Ryan off to the NFL without an ACC ring. 

Even without their star quarterback, Boston College shouldn’t take too much of a step back this season.  They will have defensive tackle BJ Raji and linebacker Brian Toal back after missing all of 2008, which will give them some much needed help on the defensive side of the ball.   

Their offense will be young, as they will have to replace their quarterback, their two running backs, and their two top wideouts. 
As long as Tech’s defense plays well, I think the Hokies will walk away victorious here although this will be a very tough test for this young Hokie team. 

10/25:  at Florida State

Last year, Coach Beamer finally shook the monkey off his back and knocked off the elderly Coach Bowden for the first time in his career.  This year, the Hokies will look to get their first win inside Doak since 1974.

Florida State should be more improved this season with Senior quarterback Drew Weatherford leading a very potent offensive attack.  However, the one problem that could plague FSU is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line.   Their line will consist of two sophomores and three freshmen with little to no depth behind them.

This will be a tough game for Tech especially since they haven’t won in this stadium in a long, long time.   As long as Florida State is playing well I would imagine that they should be pretty confident coming into this game.

11/6:  Maryland

The last time the Terrapins ventured into Blacksburg on a Thursday night they were defeated 55-6 in one of the most lop-sided affairs I have ever witnessed first hand. 

This year’s game could be just as bad if the Terrapins continue to have quarterback issues among their top three players at that position.  Turner will start the season as the starter but Jordan Steffy and Florida transfer Josh Portis may make a push if something were to happen to Turner.

The only team to ever beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on a Thursday night in the Beamer era is Boston College who has done it twice now.  Other then that no team has really ever came close.

11/13:  at Miami

The “U” should take a step forward as a program this season but I don’t think it will be enough to make a splash in the ACC race. 

The biggest problem with Miami right now is that they lack experience among their top three quarterbacks, which is something that will only take time to fix.   Robert Marve is the most likely candidate to emerge from the group and start under center for the Canes.

The good news for the Hokies is that Marve showed a tendency to make bad decision when he was under a rush during spring practice.  If the Tech defense is able to put pressure on him I would imagine that the Hokies should be able to walk away from this game with a much needed “W.”

11/22:  vs. Duke

The Cutcliffe era has begun at Duke, which should help arise this program, which has been close to death for some time now.

The good news for Coach Cutcliffe is that the cupboard isnt necessarily bare.  Quarterback Thadius Lewis has NFL potential and will lead a solid offensive attack that should improve upon last season’s numbers.
  
However, I just dont see Duke posing much of a threat this season.  The Blue Devils could improve and surprise some people next year but I expect another miserable season for Duke.  

11/29:  vs. UVA

The Cavaliers had an interesting off-season that involved some arrests and some academic casualties among several starters. 

The team should be average at best this year since they have to break in several new starters on the offensive line, a whole new defensive line, and a few in the secondary.  UVA’s defense should be decent this fall but the loss of Long and Fitzgerald will neutralize the pass rush that was dominate at times last season.

This will be an intriguing matchup that the Hokies cannot take lightly especially if UVA struggles like most media members predict they will.  This should be another Virginia Tech win but both teams will grow up a lot by Thanksgiving so at best this game is a toss up at this point. 
 
Final Prediction:

The Hokies play a tough but not impossible schedule that could lead to anything from 7-5 to 12-0. 

With such a young team and so many new faces playing on offense I still see this team going 9-3 with a trip to Tampa Bay in December to play either Wake Forest or the Clemson Tigers. 

Either way, the Hokies should be on their way to another ten win season and another trip to a late December or early January bowl game.