In the latest edition of Stewart Mandel's Mailbag, the veteran college football scribe proclaimed the Virginia Tech Hokies as one of his five underrated teams this season.
Podcast listeners already know how bullish I am on the Hokies. I believe Frank Beamer's program will break out of its recent slump. Last year's team went just 7-6 but did win road games against Ohio State (remember that one?) and Duke. Its offense was mostly abysmal, but quarterback Michael Brewer, entering his second year in the system, put up big numbers in his spring scrimmages. The backfield is deep and healthy. And the defense returns standouts like cornerback Kendall Fuller and defensive end Dadi Nicolas.
I could see this team winning 10-plus games.
I wouldn't describe Tech's backfield as deep or healthy right now. Shai McKenzie and Juice Williams, who are arguably Tech's top two running backs, are still recovering from ACL tears suffered last season. Trey Edmunds and J.C. Coleman both have had brilliant stretches throughout their respective tenures at Tech, the former more so than the latter. When Trey's running healthy (and he claims he is) he has a valid claim as Tech's top tailback option. Will the J.C. Coleman who carried the Hokies on his back over the last four games of 2014 (5.78 YPC, 81 carries) show up on Labor Day? Or will it be the inconsistent Coleman who struggled to find traction throughout much of his career. Travon McMillian had a breakout spring, but it's just that, spring practice.
There are now two ticketed passengers for the hype train currently boarding in Blacksburg, and they are both national media members. ESPN's Andrea Adelson boldly predicted Virginia Tech would win 10 games in 2015.
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