Virginia Tech Football: 10 New Year's Resolutions for the Hokies

The Sugar Bowl-bound Virginia Tech Hokies received an early Christmas present with their selection as a BCS at-large team.

Now, Tech must look toward next year as a chance to elevate its status from a perennial top 15-team to a national threat.

A good start would be a list of New Year's resolutions for the Hokies to formulate as goals for the 2012 calendar year.

And it all starts with a big tilt with the Michigan Wolverines on the third day of the new year.

 

No More Arrests

Player arrests in intercollegiate athletics are inexcusable and should be dealt with transparently and with the utmost accountability.

As reported by Andy Bitter and Lerone Graham of The Roanoke Times, kicker Cody Journell was "charged in alleged home invasion involving drugs."

According to Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver, Journell has been suspended indefinitely per university policy.

The Hokies can ill afford to have this type of behavior permeate the program. Virginia Tech is known as one of the cleanest programs in college football.

However, it does not take many of these incidents to reverse that perception.

Expect Frank Beamer to deal with this isolated incident harshly in order to prevent similar circumstances in the future.   

Take Bowl Games Seriously

Virginia Tech fans and experts alike have yet to forget the embarrassing loss the Hokies suffered at the hands of Stanford in the 2011 Orange Bowl.

Nor have they forgotten the struggles for the Hokies in virtually every BCS game, with the exception of a win against Cincinnati in the 2009 Orange Bowl.

The time is now for Virginia Tech to change their bowl preparation tactics. The Hokies must begin taking bowl games seriously for the benefit of their national perception and for the ACC's image.

Until that happens, Virginia Tech will continue to fall short in big games on national television during the holidays. 

Come Up Large in Big Games

Virginia Tech, while one of the most consistent teams in the nation, is known more for their struggles against quality opponents.

The Hokies have one win over a team ranked No. 5 or better under Frank Beamer. That win came in 2003 against the Miami Hurricanes.

With games looming versus the talented Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles in 2012, chances are, Tech will have their opportunity to notch big wins in the ACC next year.

First things first, however. The Hokies have a controversial date with the Michigan Wolverines in the Sugar Bowl in a few days.

Getting an upset win in that contest would do a lot to sway the scrutiny away from the Hokies over the offseason. 

Beat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl

Virginia Tech has a tremendous opportunity in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan. It has the invaluable chance to silence the plethora of haters that daily scrutinize the Virginia Tech body of work this season.

No one wants the Hokies in New Orleans this holiday season.

However, a win against one of the premiere programs in the country would do wonders for Virginia Tech's image.

It would help ease the pain from getting blown out by Clemson twice during the 2011 season. It would prove Bud Foster's defense is capable of shutting down a spread offense with a mobile quarterback in Denard Robinson.

Most importantly, it would validate Virginia Tech's invitation to a prestigious BCS bowl.

Plenty of motivation here for the Hokies.

Secure Top 15 2012 Recruiting Class

When Virginia Tech decided to hire Shane Beamer away from South Carolina, their main objective was to improve their ability to recruit top out-of-state talent.

The move has already paid dividends, as the Hokies have already signed 27 commitments to the 2012 class.

The list includes five 4-star recruits according to Rivals.com.

Armed with more talent, Virginia Tech's coaching staff could potentially do wonders for the team headed into 2012 and beyond. 

A highly-ranked class would be a great start.

 

Bring Back Beamerball

Recall that 2003 game in which the Hokies knocked off No. 2-ranked Miami? Virginia Tech had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in that game.

Remember that 2009 game against a top-10 Miami team in which Virginia Tech won, 31-7? Tech had a blocked punt for a score in that game.

In other words, Tech had "Beamerball."

Virginia Tech has undoubtedly gotten away from that style of play in recent seasons. While this year's improved passing attack is nice, the days of running the football and playmaking defense have eluded the Hokies recently.

At the very least, Frank Beamer needs to find a reliable punter and kicker for 2012 since neither existed this season for the Hokies.

And for Beamer, that is simply not acceptable.

 

Get Healthy

Bud Foster's defense experienced devastating injuries during the 2011 season that proved costly versus the talented Clemson Tigers.

Middle linebacker and defensive leader Bruce Taylor was lost for the season to a foot injury after the Boston College game.

Future NFL draft pick Jayron Hosley has been hampered with a hamstring injury throughout the 2011 season.

Defensive lineman Antoine Hopkins tore his ACL.

Linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow suffered a season-ending foot injury. 

All of those players were starters on defense coming into 2011. If Hosley returns, all will be back for 2012. That could mean a dangerous defense IF each of these players can get healthy before next season begins. 

Find New Ball Carrier

According to the latest mock draft by ESPN Draft analyst Todd McShay, running back David Wilson will be selected late in the first round.

If that holds true, Wilson will likely depart for the 2012 NFL draft. 

That leaves a large void in the backfield for Virginia Tech without many potential suitors. 

Backup Josh Oglesby will be graduating this offseason. Tony Gregory has been ineffective, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry on 39 career attempts.

There are two incoming freshmen in Drew Harris and J.C. Coleman who could earn playing time. However, the coaching staff is typically hesitant to insert true freshman directly into the spotlight on offense.

It will be interesting to see how a team with a long history of great running backs plans to continue the trend after the loss of Wilson.

 

Develop Consistency

In addition to blowout losses to Clemson, critics point to close wins over lowly opponents such as Duke and Boston College when throwing scrutiny toward the Hokies.

Virginia Tech must learn to avoid letdowns against inferior competition if they wants to elevate their perception in the college football world.

As a New Year's resolution, the Hokies must plan on approaching every game the same way, regardless of its opponent.

That approach works for Alabama and Nick Saban, and it will work for the Hokies if they do it. 

Put Logan Thomas in Best Possible Situations

It is the job of the offensive coaching staff to put their young quarterback in the best possible positions to succeed.

Quarterback Logan Thomas has all of the tangibles one looks for in a passer. He has the impressive stature and strong arm that commonly is associated with top signal callers.

Now, Bryan Stinespring and Mike O' Cain must groom Thomas over this offseason. They must become better play callers in order to take full advantage of their quarterback's array of talents.

In years past, the offensive play-calling has held the Hokies back.

It is time for that to change.