Virginia Tech's Offensive Expectations for the 2011 Season

Virginia Tech has quietly been one of the country’s most consistent programs. They have gone to a bowl game every year since the 1993 Independence Bowl, and have won at least 10 games for seven straight seasons (the longest active streak in the NCAA).

Despite these two statistics the Hokies aren’t talked about as much as they should be among the national media.

They are a consistent top-10 team, but there is one hurdle they have yet to jump, which is the national championship. So the question on the mind of the Hokies every year is: Could this finally be the year?

It is harder to ask that question this year because they lost their starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, who holds school records in most offensive categories. The Hokies also lost their top two running backs, Ryan Williams and Darren Evans.  Losing these three should mean a large drop off in offensive output, right?

Most years that would be the case but it is hard to call that a definite conclusion, with very suitable replacements filling the roles that the three mentioned left in the program.

Williams and Evans are being replaced by David Wilson who has been described as a freak athletically. He has been clocked running under a 4.3 40-yard dash, and has exceptional leaping ability. He has been used sparingly in his first two years with the program (mostly on special teams), but while on the field he has been brilliant.

During the 2010 season he rushed 113 times for a total of 619 yards and five touchdowns, while catching another four touchdowns out of the backfield.

While the replacing of Williams and Evans seems fairly simple, the real question is how to replace Taylor?

Tyrod Taylor was great as a three-year starter at Virginia Tech, most that watched him can attest to that, but it is hard to replace the most wins as a starting quarterback in school history. All of the weight Taylor left behind is falling on sophomore Logan Thomas’s shoulders.

Thomas has been described as a clone of Cam Newton (2011 Heisman winner), but that description is only putting more pressure on the young man. He has never started a game, and played sparingly in just a few games last season.

His lack of experience is shown from his 2010 season where he only completed 12-of-26 pass attempts for a total of 107 yards.

Despite his inexperience he is mobile, tall and has a strong arm, but needs to work on his accuracy. He should grow as a passer in his first year as a starter, and a good spring game only raised expectations for the young quarterback.

Despite the Hokies having to replace starters at these two positions, they will be stacked in two other position groups: wide receivers and offensive line.

There are three returning starters in this year’s wide receiving corp. Dyrell Roberts, Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale had 1,882 yards receiving and 11 total touchdowns in 2010.

The offensive line is returning four of five starters from last season, which should provide Wilson with running lanes and Thomas with solid protection.

The wide receivers and offensive line should help Thomas progress as a quarterback. If the offense lives up to the expectations then Virginia Tech will be a tough team to beat.

There will be hiccups along the way, but another 10-win season should be underway come September 3.  The replacements are suitable and could turn out better than those they are replacing.

The Hokies could repeat as ACC champs, but won’t contend for a national title just yet, but it is fair to think it possible in the 2012 season.