Virginia Tech Hokies Season Preview

Beamer Ball has proven time after time that it can win ball games in the ACC. Four BCS Bowls the past seven years has Blacksburg excited once again going into the 2011 season.

The more impressive, telling stat for the Hokies and Frank Beamer is that they have won ten games or more for seven consecutive seasons!

Beamer in that time span has been 46-10 in the ACC, which is nothing short of a remarkable start to a solid BCS conference since moving over from the Big East.

The ACC may have been down the past two seasons but Miami looks like they are almost back and Florida State is on the verge of becoming a National Championship contender. 

Next Hokie Great?

The Hokies must be able to get consistency at the QB position with all the success they have had in the past. Tyrod Taylor (school’s all-time leading passer) has now graduated and it is up to Logan Thomas to take things over.

Logan Thomas at QB under center has only attempted 26 passes in his career and has completed 12 of them.  Thomas is not your typical drop back passer as he is known more of a runner first, passer second. 

He is a big dude at 6’6”, 242-pounds and has an above average arm. Most top notch programs have a solid backup and the Hokies are in the same situation. It should be noted that he once was a big TE who caught a TD pass in 2010 against East Carolina. 

Sick Skill Players

David Willson can do it all: Block, catch, run and even bring a punt back for six. He has 4.4 speed and can flat out do it all ala Reggie Bush back in the day according to some ESPN U experts. 

The depth is not nearly as loaded with the losses of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans but Logan Thomas can run like a fullback and the Hokies are always loaded with reserves.

The receiving corp is loaded with talent as they have a little bit of everything. Need a solid possession receiver? Danny Coale is there for you. Need a redzone target? Marcus Davis! Deep home run ball? Jarrett Boykin will be the man. And lastly, Dyrell Roberts can do a bit of everything. 

These guys underachieved in the Orange Bowl and have not put together a solid season together yet, but they certainly look like they will this season. 

Hokies Line Is Consistent

The offensive line at the end of the day is what will keep this offensive unit together as a whole. They have arguably the best line in the ACC and one of the top 10 units in America. 

Four of the five linemen return with Jaymes Brooks and Blake DeChristopher making second team All-ACC a year ago. The two have both tarted over 35 games and have more experience than any pair of linemen in the Coastal Division. The other linemen are big hogs that should will their way at the line of scrimmage.

The ACC had quite the amount of stud defensive linemen and with most of them gone save Brandon Jenkins Florida State and Quinton Coples (North Carolina), the Hokies should have no issues keeping Thomas clean in the pocket in 2011.

Unheralded Front Four

The Bud Foster led Hokies defense has been producing year in and year out. 40th against the pass (205 YPG) and 64th against the pass (155 YPC) was not the typical season a year ago, but another BCS Bowl and an ACC Championship is all that matters. 

The front four was gashed at times against the Seminoles and were abused by the Cardinal in the Orange Bowl for four quarters.

Defensive end Chris Drager needs to come off the edge a step quicker and needs to improve in the running game. Antoine Hopkins was solid in that department but could not do jack in the passing game.

Keep an eye on sophomore defensive end James Gayle since Bud Foster and many coaches have praised him this summer.

The other two starters must produce like former Hokie linemen John Graves and Steven Friday. J.R.Collins and Derrick Hopkins (brother of Antoine) are expected to start.

So with the Hopkin twins up front, things should be just fine. However, the speed on the edges will be average compared to previous years.

Best Secondary in All the Land?

VT's linebackers are expected to be sensational this season. Tariq Edwards, Barquell Rivers, Bruce Taylor, and Jeron Gouveia-Winslow are the starting trio.

Taylor was second team All-ACC a season ago because of his pure strength. He can roam sideline to sideline and is a sure thing of a tackler. Rivers is not too shabby either though he is a bit undersized at 6’0”. 

The secondary is always known for plucking the pigskin in mid-air despite struggling last season where they allowed 205 yards per game (40th).

Jayron Hosley was an All-American a season ago intercepting nine passes in the season, which led the nation. He is easily among the top ten corners in all the land and has a great chance to make First Team All-American this season.

Hosley will need help from Kyle Fuller, Antone Exum, Cris Hill and Eddie Whitley. Whitley was a Second Team All-ACC performer as a safety. He started 12 games, recorded 73 tackles including four for losses. He also had six pass breakups, two interceptions and he forced two fumbles last season.

He is an active, polished safety that lays the lumber when receivers go across the middle for a pass. The Hokie defenders are known for winning the turnover battle as well as making the tough plays look easy.

Drama's Forecast

Overall, the Hokies are the odds on favorite to return to the ACC Championship Game against Florida State and at worst case a ten win season is in order which would keep their ten win consecutive streak (7) alive. This is assuming that Logan Thomas can have a productive season in a season where the Hokies are losing Mr. Everything Tyrod Taylor.

I have the Hokies being favored in all 12 of their regular season games as they do not have a difficult non-conference slate outside of a trip to Greenvile (ECU). Miami and North Carolina may be the two toughest teams they face this season, but both come to Lane Stadium.

This Hokies team is not only a darkhorse to play in a BCS Bowl, but also to play in the BCS National Championship. Their defense will be better than last season and it is safe to assume the offense will be better with a healthy David Wilson and a loaded receiving corps. Book the Hokies for double digits and a top ten finish.

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 Offense/ 7 Defense

PROJECTED RECORD: 13-1, 8-1

PROJECTED FINISH: First in Coastal, Second Overall 

PROJECTED BOWL: BCS Orange Bowl