Frank Beamer and the 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies: 10 Big Predictions

With just two weeks left to the first game of the 2011 college football season, it's time to establish some big predictions for the Virginia Tech football team.

Each of the predictions are plausible. If they all come to pass, 2011 will go down as the best Virginia Tech season under head coach Frank Beamer (pictured above).

The ten predictions are ordered from most- to least-likely starting at No. 10. Enjoy.

10. The Hokies Will Win at Least Ten Games (Again)

Virginia Tech has had at least ten wins every year since 2004, their inaugural year in the ACC. That streak is best in the nation.

With a manageable schedule that includes seven sure wins, there's no reason to think that Logan Thomas and company cannot continue that streak this season.

9. David Wilson Will Rush for 1,500 Yards

Last season, Virginia Tech's big three running backs combined to rush for 1,950 yards. Seniors Darren Evans and Ryan Williams combined for over 250 carries, while David Wilson got 113.

After the departure of Evans and Williams, Wilson is looking at almost three times as many carries this year.

As long as he stays healthy, Wilson could also triple last year's 619 rushing yards.

8. Jayron Hosley Will Be a First-Team All-American

DeAngelo Hall, Jimmy Williams, Brandon Flowers, and Victor "Macho" Harris: Virginia Tech football has had unbelievably talented cornerbacks under defensive coordinator Bud Foster.

Jayron Hosley is the next in line. Hosley led the nation with nine interceptions last year and made second-team All American.

While teams may avoid him more this year (and subsequently decrease his interception count), Hosley will shut down his side of the field. For this, he will be a no-brainer for first-team All-American.

7. Kyle Fuller Will Have Five Interceptions

The brother of former Hokie great Vincent Fuller, Kyle started six games as a true freshman in 2010.

Playing opposite the highly-touted Jayron Hosley, Kyle Fuller will likely see a lot of balls come his way. In his second season, Fuller will be up to the challenge.

He will snag five interceptions this year, and maybe even become the next great Hokie cornerback.

6. The Hokies' Return Corps Will Score Six Touchdowns

The Virginia Tech Hokies boast some of the most talented return men in the country.

Jayron Hosley has had two punt return touchdowns in his two years.

Dyrell Roberts returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Alabama, and almost took one back against Nebraska in 2009 before having his 2010 season cut short by injury.

David Wilson was electrifying on kickoff returns last season, scoring the game winning touchdown against Georgia Tech, and also taking one to the house against North Carolina State.

The three of them should strike fear into the opposing special teams in 2011. Beamerball should be on display with these three on the field.

5. The Hokies Will Win the ACC

Just as they did last year, the Virginia Tech Hokies will beat the Florida State Seminoles in the ACC Championship Game.

The Seminoles will be battle-tested - their regular season slate includes non-conference games against the Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators.

The Hokies, on the other hand, don't have a single ranked team on their regular season docket. But Frank Beamer will have his team primed for this game.

4. Logan Thomas Will Throw for 2,500 Yards

The Hokies face a lot of weak opponents in 2011, and that could mean inflated stats across the board.

If Thomas develops into a solid passer, there's no reason to think he can't average 178 yards per game, which is what it would take to reach 2,500 passing yards for the season.

With a stacked receiving corps at his disposal, Logan Thomas should do well in his first year starting.

3. Jarrett Boykin Will Have over 1,000 Receiving Yards

This proposition is predicated heavily on how much playing time each of the receivers will get.

Danny Coale and Marcus Davis will see a lot of balls this season. Moreover, the healthy Dyrell Roberts should have bigger numbers this season.

But I have to imagine Thomas will favor the tall, sure-handed Jarrett Boykin, who led the Hokies with 847 yards and 6 touchdowns a year ago and played well in the team's three best opponents (Boise State, Florida State, Stanford).

I think he will finally break the 1,000 yard mark en route to setting all-time Virginia Tech records for receptions and receiving yards.

2. The Offensive Line Will Return to Form

Virginia Tech fans long for the days of Jake Grove, Matt Lehr, and Derek Smith. I was never worried about Lee Suggs or Kevin Jones getting stuffed at the goal line or on a third and short.

Suffice to say the ACC era has not seen the caliber of line play once expected at Virginia Tech. But this year could be different.

Of the four returning offensive linemen, two - Blake DeChristopher and Jaymes Brooks - were All-ACC selections a year ago.

So long as new center Andrew Miller develops into a solid anchor, the offensive line could be a huge help to Logan Thomas and David Wilson as they transition into starters.

1. Virginia Tech Will Return to the BCS National Championship

Consider the Hokies' schedules each of the past two seasons.

In 2009, the Hokies faced a daunting opening lineup of Alabama and Nebraska and Miami in consecutive weeks. They played three top 20 teams before the beginning of October.

Last season, Virginia Tech opened with a huge game against Boise State were upset by James Madison just five days later. That ended their title hopes quite quickly.

Meanwhile, the 2011 schedule is shockingly easy: no ranked teams, away games against the three worst teams in ACC, and a bye before the Georgia Tech trip.

The lone tough spot is back-to-back games against Clemson and Miami, but both of those are at home.

If Logan Thomas comes into his own, and the lines are improved on both sides, the Hokies could cruise to an ACC Championship rematch with Florida State. Win that game, and they could be championship bound - depending how many other teams are still undefeated.