No. 12: Virginia Tech Hokies
The One Great Season College Football Countdown continues Thursday. We'll be counting down the preseason Top 25 teams in 2010. Today's No. 12 is Virginia Tech. (PS-Don't forget to scroll to the very bottom of this preview to watch my video of that belligerent d-bag from last year who told GaTech fans they "didn't know how to watch a football game.")
By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
Everyone's been talking about Virginia Tech's huge season-opener against Boise State, but has anyone looked at the Hokies' schedule the rest of the way?
Frank Beamer's bunch has a legitimate chance to take a 10-0 record into Miami and battle the Hurricanes for the ACC Coastal Divison crown, where a berth in the conference championship game will be at stake.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
And remember how at this time last year we thought another 10-win season at Tech was in jeopardy when Darren Evans blew out his knee? Freshman Ryan Williams stepped in and put up 1,655 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Both are back this year with five years of eligibility left between them. Everyone's talking about the Alabama tandem of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson; Tech's will be just as productive.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor returns for his senior season. He's rarely been spectacular, but has made steady improvement and while he's dangerous with his feet, he's certainly evolved as a passer. And with three offensive linemen returning, expect this offensive unit to hum.
But there's a reason this team is ranked No. 12 and not, say, No. 5. And it's the loss of six defensive starters.
Beamer and defensive coordinator Bud Foster usually have one of the ACC's—if not the one of the nation's—elite units, but replacing some of the departed talent won't be easy.
NFL draftees Jason Worilds, Kam Chancellor and Cody Grimm leave holes in the defensive line, the linebacking corps and the secondary. The Hokies always have able replacements, but like most teams, Tech will need live game reps to see who's really ready in some spots, another reason to spend Labor Day in front of the tube watching that Boise game.
Who's back? QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Ryan Williams, RB Darren Evans, LB Barquell Rivers, CB Rashad Carmicheal
Who's gone? LB Cody Grimm, DE Jason Worilds, S Kam Chancellor
Why they'll win: The Hokies will rush for 250 yards a game.
Why they'll lose: Back-to-back-to-back games against Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami will amount to quite an ask in November.
Get your tickets: vs. Boise State (at Landover, Md., Sept. 6), vs. Georgia Tech (Nov. 4), at Miami (Nov. 20)
Prediction: 11-1 (7-1, second place ACC Coastal)
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
