Virginia Tech: The Good and the Bad from Loss to Clemson

Last night was the end of the dream that was the Virginia Tech Hokies.  Instead of looking like the No. 11 team in the nation, they looked like a team that no longer belonged even in the top 25.  The offense was anemic and showed a lot of flaws with personnel and the coaching staff.  The defense looked stellar but could not hold out the entire game.

Known for their special teams, the Hokies were not very special last night.  But there was some good that did come out of the game against Clemson.  Not much, but some.  These were the fewest points scored by a Frank Beamer-led Hokies at home since a shutout by Cincinnati in 1995.

With that being said, the Virginia Tech coaching staff needs to make some major adjustments before the home game against Miami this week, or risk losing a second straight game in Lane.

The Good: the Defense Is Championship Caliber

One of the few good things to come out of last night's game was how well the defense played again.  They made Tajh Boyd look uncomfortable at times in the pocket and kept a good offense below their season averages.

While they were hit for a few big plays, that is something to expected from a defense that takes a lot of chances in coverage and along the defensive front.   If the defense was able to get a little help from the offense, this game would have been bit closer and maybe even a victory. 

The Tech defense is championship caliber, but the offense needs to help out on occasion. 

The Good: David Wilson Is as Good as Advertised

David Wilson is as good as advertised.  He went for 123 yards on 20 carries with a 6.2 yards per carry average.  While he was unable to get into the end zone, Wilson was the only person on offense that was able to do anything against a Clemson defense that was giving up 400-plus yards per game to opposing offenses.

While Wilson had a fumble and it set up a field goal for Clemson, he still was the best offensive threat for the Hokies all night.

The Bad: Demler Needs to Be Put on the Bench

Under Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech has always been known for stellar special teams.  Scott Demler has done just about everything during the game to prove he should not be the starting punter. 

Want more proof?  He was pulled in favor of Danny Coale during the Marshall game.  Coale is a wide receiver.  

Demler proved enough last night that his time as the punter for the Hokies is finished.  His last punt of the evening was his best at 44 yards, but he cost the Hokies field position the rest of the night.  Half of Demler's eight punts did not even exceed 30 yards, and he averaged 29.4 yards per punt on the night.

I've heard good things about Michael Branthover, a true freshmen punter out of Maryland.  He was a first-team all-state in high school last year and has been rumored to have a big leg.  Maybe it's time to let the young talent shine.

The Bad: The Offensive Line Looked Horrible

If it was not for David Wilson's ability to break multiple tackles, last night's game could have been a lot worse.  The Clemson defensive line made the Virginia Tech offensive line look like they should have been on the Junior Varsity squad somewhere.  Andre Branch of Clemson spent a good deal of time in the Tech backfield.  Branch ended up with three sacks on the night, beating any Hokies tackle they put up against him (more with this later). 

The Virginia Tech offensive line was man-handled most of the night, with 10 of 40 rushes going for less than one yard and the longest being a 19-yard carry by Wilson. 

Injuries have not helped the offensive line gel all season, but when two red-shirt senior tackles cannot keep one player from dominating, something is not right.

The Bad: Logan Thomas as No Confidence at the Quarterback Position

Logan Thomas has no confidence at the quarterback position.  The two good defenses that the Hokies have gone up against this season in East Carolina and Clemson have made him look awful.  But sadly, this is not just those games. Thomas' confidence is shot because of bad offensive line play and early drops by receivers.

Thomas' potential has been evident in all of Virginia Tech's games this season, but even the two best quarterbacks the Hokies have produced in Michael Vick and Tyrod Taylor each split time early on.  While second stringer Mark Leal is a red-shirt freshmen, I cannot think that junior Ju-Ju Clayton may be able to help Thomas.

Thomas has noticeably under-thrown receivers or thrown into tight coverage.  He missed a wide open Chris Drager in the end zone on the one good drive the Hokies had last night. 

The coaching staff needs to work on a few things with Logan this week before the Hurricanes come to Blacksburg.

The Bad: Bryan Stinespring Is a Liability

Offensive coordinator and offensive tackles coach Bryan Stinespring has received a lot of criticism during his time in Blacksburg.  While Beamer has a lot of faith in his coaching staff, the fanbase has absolutely no faith in Stinespring. 

Funny how the big issues from last night's game against Clemson all point towards Bryan Stinespring.  While Stinespring no longer has play-calling duties, he should be helping make adjustments during the game.  That did not happen last night.  The aforementioned Andre Branch seemed to know the snap count and beat every offensive tackle Tech put against him off the line.

The offense looked anemic last night.  It is not a good sign when the longest drive of the night is 48 yards and ends with a punt.  He still has control over what the offense should be doing as the offensive coordinator and should be making adjustments throughout the game.  That was not happening.  Whether it be the plays being called or protection adjustments, Stinespring has the power to do it.

Frank Beamer is loyal to his coaching staff, but this has been a problem for a long time in Blacksburg.  We all know Bryan Stinespring is a good recruiter, but it's time to either let him go on his way or move him into a role that is strictly player recruitment.

Conclusion: Virginia Tech Has a Lot to Work on Before Miami Comes to Blacksburg

The Hokies have a lot to work on before the Miami Hurricanes come to Lane Stadium.  The Hokies were outplayed on the field and out-coached by Clemson.  Adjustments need to be made along the entire offense by this weekend.   In-game adjustments need to be made.  Find someone on the offense line or at quarterback that they can trust to make protection adjustments or audibles.  Bryan Stinespring has been in Blacksburg for quite a long time but it may be time for him to part ways with Virginia Tech. 

The season is not lost, but if the Hokies want to win the Coastal Division in the ACC, they need to step up and outplay the competition.