Virginia Tech Football: 5 Things to Watch for Against Appalachian State

Can you believe it? We are almost there. Two days away from the Virginia Tech season opener. Over the past few months my colleagues and I have given readers multiple insights into what the Hokies’ season will hinge on, as well as storylines that will shape the season.

The Hokies are ranked 13^th in both the preseason AP and USA Today Coaches’ polls. Head coach Frank Beamer’s squad is favored to win the ACC Coastal Division, but it is picked second in the ACC behind the Florida State Seminoles.

Virginia Tech has a favorable schedule and will probably be favored in every game it plays up until the ACC championship game. I have already written a full prediction on the season (see link above) so this is a list of the five things  viewers should pay attention to during the Hokies' Week 1 matchup with Appalachian State.

5. Beware the FCS School

This is the first time Virginia Tech has faced an FCS opponent since the loss to JMU last season. The good news is that this game won’t be five days removed from a heartbreaking loss to a top five opponent. Frank Beamer and the Hokies won’t overlook Appalachian State because of the JMU loss last year.

They have had all offseason to prepare for the Mountaineers, so this game shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

The bad news is that Appalachian State is a lot better than JMU. The Mountaineers have an explosive offense that led them to a 10-3 record in 2010. JMU was only 6-5 last year. I don’t expect a repeat of last season, but if JMU can beat the Hokies by a score of 21-16 then anything is possible.

4. The Hokies’ Secondary

Virginia Tech’s secondary is considered the strength of Bud Foster’s defense most years, and this season is no different. This is despite the fact that two starters from last year are being replaced. Foster has to replace Rashad Carmichael (corner) and Davon Morgan (safety).

Morgan is being replaced by Antone Exum, who played as a nickel back last season. Exum’s limited experience will help him this year as the starting free safety. Kyle Fuller will replace Carmichael as the starting cornerback opposite of Jayron Hosely.

The good news is that the two returning members of the secondary are great. Hosely led the nation in interceptions last season and could be the best corner in the country this year. Senior Eddie Whitley is returning at safety but he has switched to the rover position. He was the free safety last season.

The secondary will have to be up to par against the Mountaineers’ spread option offense in order to win convincingly.

3. How David Wilson Handles the Pressure of Starting

The majority of the Hokies' running game has been shared between Darren Evans and Ryan Williams since 2008. Now that both Evans and Williams have opted to go to the NFL, the workload will be placed on David Wilson.

Wilson put up great numbers last season as a running back and kick returner, but the pressure was on the other two backs. It all falls on Wilson this season. The offense will go as Wilson goes early in the season while the Hokies break in a rookie quarterback (more on that later).

Wilson is a dark horse Heisman candidate and he has the ability to be great. If Wilson lives up to his potential this could be a record-breaking season for the young back. He should be able to rip right through the Mountaineers’ defense this weekend.

2. The Hokies' Defense

Virginia Tech’s defense last season was pedestrian at best. It was ranked 52nd in the country a year ago, and if the Hokies want to repeat as ACC champs the defense has to do a lot better.

The secondary is Bud Foster’s biggest asset (discussed earlier) and the defensive line should also be a strength. The D-line will be led by the Hopkins brothers up the middle.

Antoine and Derrick Hopkins will be the Hokies’ starting defensive tackles. They should push each other this season, and they will be able to communicate well with one another while in the game.

The biggest question for the Hokies’ defense is the linebacking corps. One of last year’s starting linebackers, Lyndell Gibson, transferred to Hampton.  The two returning linebackers are Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and Bruce Taylor.

Foster’s defense has to step up and return to their rightful spot as one of the top 10 defenses in the country if the Hokies want to contend. The first step to that is playing well against App. State.

1. Quarterback Play

Tyrod Taylor’s tenure as the Hokies’ quarterback may have been the greatest any single player has had at that position while at VPI. Unfortunately, Taylor has graduated and moved on to the NFL. A lot of pressure is falling on his replacement, Logan Thomas, because of it.

Thomas has only attempted 26 passes while at Tech, but he has great upside. At 6’6” he is a full six inches taller than Taylor. This will allow Thomas to make some of the throws Taylor couldn’t. But, there is something to be said for experience, something Thomas doesn’t have.

Luckily, Thomas has a veteran group around him. He has four returning starters on the offensive line, a great running back and a veteran receiving corps.

Thomas has to take advantage of their experience this season. He is the lynchpin for Virginia Tech. If he plays well, the Hokies will have a good season; if not, it will be closer to mediocre. Thomas will throw some interceptions but he has to take advantage of an easy schedule.

He should do well against the Mountaineers’ defense, but fans shouldn’t take much away from his very first start. He can lead the Hokies to a win Saturday but the rest of the offense should be able to carry him this week if he struggles.