Wednesday, July 29, 2009

2009 ACC Football Outlook Team Previews: Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech-
Offense: C+
They are set at quarterback with junior Tyrod Taylor who is a true dual threat with the ability to beat defenses with his arm and his legs. Joining Taylor in the backfield is stud running back Darren Evans who is coming off an impressive year as a freshman in which he ran for a school record 253 yards against Maryland. They have a veteran offensive line and a solid group of receivers highlighted by TE Greg Boone who also takes snaps at QB in the "Wild Turkey" formation.

Defense: A-
Despite losing 2nd Team All-ACC DE Orion Martin, Tech's D-Line should still be stout and should have plenty of depth. They lose their top two inside linebackers but Cody Grimm who was the teams third leading tackler to go along with 7.5 sacks despite starting only one game last year. He along with Barquell Rivers, whose lone start last year was in the Orange Bowl, should help anchor a solid linebacking corp which is more experienced than last year and should be improved. The secondary should be the strength of the defense with 7 of their top 8 defensive backs returning although they'll have to replace star corner Victor "Macho" Harris.

Prediction:
Virginia Tech should be strong on both sides of the ball and isn't particularly weak at any position. Their in-conference schedule sets up nicely as they avoid Clemson, Florida State, and Wake Forest who figure to be the top three contenders in the Atlantic Division. They also get two of their top three opponents in their own Coastal Division at home in North Carolina(who they also get after a BYE)and Miami(Fl). They do have to travel to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech in what looks to be their only tough ACC road game. They also start the season off in Atlanta in the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff against Alabama. They get Alabama at the perfect time because it'll be the first time starting for Greg McElroy at QB for the Tide along with 4 new starters along the offensive line. This will be the win that keeps on giving because 'Bama will end up being very good at the end of the year which will make this win look a lot better than it actually will be. They also have another quality nonconference opponent in Nebraska who Tech is lucky to get at home. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Virginia Tech will finish 12-0 in the regular season and add a 13th with a win over Clemson in the ACC title game. I'm going to predict that they will make it to the BCS National Championship despite probably being somewhere between the 3rd and 7th best team in the country next year because of their favorable schedule. I don't think that the season will end up happily for Hokie fans, however, because I'm going to predict that they will lose to Texas in the in championship game.

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