Staff Predictions for the 2016 Virginia Tech Football Season

Transitions. Transition from Frank Beamer to Justin Fuente. Transition from mainstays like Kendall Fuller and A.J. Hughes to Greg Stroman and Mitchell Ludwig. Transition at quarterback, defensive end, backer, whip, rover...the list goes on. But with these transitions comes a renewed sense of excitement about Virginia Tech's 2016 football season. Thanks in part to the new staff's Cold War era level of secrecy, Hokie Nation is barely any more knowledgeable about this year's edition of the Hokies than the rest of the country. It has made for an equally frustrating and intriguing offseason.

With that in mind, The Key Play's staff decided to once again indulge Hokie Nation with its predictions for the upcoming football season.

Joe Lanza

Season Prediction: Highs and lows. The theme of Virginia Tech's 2016 football season will be growing pains. At moments, I believe Hokie Nation will be encouraged by the progress on the field, but will often be reminded there's a long way to go when lack of depth and experience clouds the bright spots. Justin Fuente went only as far to name Jerod Evans as Tech's No. 1 quarterback for the Liberty game, and left the door open for Brenden Motley or Josh Jackson. Not a ringing endorsement for the lauded JUCO transfer. There are also question marks at linebacker along with the second team defensive ends and wide receivers. Not to mention punting will make me anxious this season.

Final Regular Season Record: 6–6

Key Matchup: Virginia. I don't expect Tech to contend for the ACC Coastal division, but if the Hoos get the better of the Hokies, Justin Fuente will face immediate fan pressure in his second season.

Breakout Player: An Edmunds. I'll opt for Tremaine over Terrell since the latter got enough burn to somewhat breakout last season.

Alex Koma

Season Prediction:

In the macro sense, the big unknown coming into this season is Justin Fuente: will he prove to be the right fit, mesh well with Bud Foster, etc? But looking at just this season, it feels really hard to know what to expect from these Hokies thanks to some more micro questions. Jerod Evans could prove to be the Cam Newton clone everyone salivates over, an abject failure, or somewhere in between. Bud Foster could be right that his defense caught some bad breaks last year and just needs to be healthy for a season, or there really could be some serious depth concerns that will hold the group back. I think there's plenty to be optimistic about a year (or even two) down the line, but in the near term, it feels like there are too many unknowns for this team to make some serious noise in the first year of Fuente's tenure. Add in a tricky schedule, thanks to a tough non-conference slate and an improving Coastal, and simply heading to a bowl game seems like a perfectly reasonable bar for Fuente to clear in 2016.

Final Regular Season Record: 7–5

Key Matchup:

I'm going to go with every Hokie's least favorite road trip: Pittsburgh. The Panthers are on the rise and are (rightly) earning some buzz as a team to watch in the Coastal, and this strikes me as a key proving ground for Fuente. If he can show that his offense is flexible enough to adjust to a Pat Narduzzi defense, exorcise some demons from the Beamer era and make a statement over another ACC program beloved by pundits (all while on ESPN on a Thursday night), that would certainly prove to be a meaningful win this season.

Breakout Player:

Tremaine Edmunds. He has the size and the pedigree, and will slide into a backer position that's been responsible for making plenty of plays in the past. He can establish himself as a star in Foster's defense for the foreseeable future with a big 2016 campaign.

Brian Marcolini

Season Prediction: They'll be better. The most underrated thing about this team is that they've improved dramatically in their weakest area. Over the last two years, Tech's lost nine games by seven points or less. A big part of those defeats? Organization and communication breakdowns. Now the coaches seem to be on the same page, which at the very least means a decrease in terrifying two-minute drills and questionable timeout usage.

Even if the team can just swing one or two tight games their way this season, it'll mean marked improvement. Don't get me wrong, the Hokies still face a ton of obstacles. But it's a step. One thing at a time, right?

Final Regular Season Record: 8–4

Key Matchup: Back-to-back Thursday nighters against Miami and Pittsburgh. One of the Hokies, Hurricanes, or Panthers will contend for the ACC Coastal, and if Tech wants it to be that team they'll need wins over the other two. Anything less means another mediocre year in Blacksburg, but victories over both Pitt and Miami could keep Charlotte in the Hokies' sights.

Breakout Player: When Bucky Hodges contemplated declaring for the NFL Draft this winter, I felt Justin Fuente had one move to make. Sit down, and compare Jimmy Graham's contract with Seattle to the ones Julio Jones and Demaryius Thomas signed last summer. Graham's total deal, for one of the best tight ends in the league, is worth $40 million. The receivers are each guaranteed at least $35 million, and can earn up to double that.

It's clear Hodges' role will be as a splitout threat. If someone can get him the ball, Bucky has the talent to put up Mike Evans-type numbers lining up outside.

Pierson Booher

Season Prediction: One of the reasons why I have always loved Virginia Tech football has been its transparent identity: The blue-collar, punch-you-in-the-mouth approach. As a fan, you generally knew what the team's strengths, weaknesses and temperament were heading into the season. For better or for worse. The hiring of Justin Fuente brings with it a renewed sense of hope and excitement, most notably on the offensive side of the ball — a facet that Hokie Nation had grown weary of in recent years. Fuente inherits a slew of playmakers but is short on depth, testing his and Brad Cornelsen's pliability from the outset. Strangely, I have blind faith in their ability to get the most out of the quarterbacks and the multitude of rushing and pass catching options. I worry about the defense's lack of depth and relative dearth of experience. As bizarre as it is to say this, how quickly Bud's defensive unit can settle into their roles and gain confidence will dictate this team's season.

Final Regular Season Record: 7–5

Key Matchup: At Pittsburgh. I hate playing Pitt. Home. Away. I hate it. Every. Single. Season. I hate Walt Harris. I hate how they keep hiring (and losing) coaches who specialize in areas that continue to neutralize the things the Hokies do well. I hate how Tech never seems to be able to tackle any of their running backs. I'm not looking forward to October 27th.

Breakout Player: Tremaine Edmunds. He just seems to have, "it." When my family went to baseball games during my childhood, my father used to point out guys who, "looked like ballplayers." Physically, they looked the part and carried themselves with a certain degree of self-assuredness. You could always tell the wheels were turning in their heads, absorbing all of the information in front of them while never looking out of their element. I get that same vibe from Tremaine Edmunds.

TheFifthFuller

Season Prediction: A trail of complete and utter destruction populated by broken opposing quarterbacks and broken scoreboards. Joel already said Tech would beat LOLUVA 105-0, which I think translates to at least a five point advantage against real teams. Jerod Evans adjusts seamlessly to ACC play; Travon, Isaiah, Cam and Bucky do En Fuente things; Bud's defense reasserts its dominance; DBU BACK; and Shibest Ball makes a thunderous debut. And on the bye weeks, Fuente negotiates peace in the Middle East, solves world hunger and lays the groundwork for Vincent, Corey, Kyle, and Kendall to start the next generation, the Fuller Cousins.

Final Regular Season Record: 15–0. I'ma keep rollin' these dice til it hits.

Key Matchup: Miami, assuming we're not counting the revenge tour against Clemson in the ACC Championship and Stanford and Bama in the playoffs. In the Coastal Division, GT and LOLUVA will be...let's say not good; Duke and Pitt will be average; and UNC will be nowhere near as good as people think they will be (and no way we lose to a QB named Mitch in the Terrordome). So it's down to the Canes and Hokies for the Coastal in a Thursday night revenge match in Blacksburg, and frankly, Mark Richt has already lost control of South Beach.

Breakout Player: Cam Phillips. Everyone always talks about how Tech has two great wide receivers and then immediately focuses on how amazing Isaiah Ford is (and rightly so). Ford set Hokies' records last season with 11 TDs and 1,164 receiving yards, meanwhile Cam has amassed 5 TDs and 1,080 yards during his entire career. He's been the John Taylor to Ford's Jerry Rice, if you will. But this year, particularly with a shiny new offense, I think Cam combines his natural talent with all the attention paid to Isaiah and Bucky to emerge as a threat in his own right, forcing defenses to account for three truly dangerous receiving options.

Joel Smith

Season Prediction: I'm pretty bullish on Virginia Tech football. In 2017. I think most fans are really counting on a greatly improved offense, but based on Fuente's last two jobs it may be worth pumping the brakes a little. At TCU he inherited a very good offense and made them maybe slightly better in his first year. At Memphis he had to stock on talent, and didn't show much of a leap until year 3. I think VT's situation is somewhere in between, and while we can anticipate some improvement, it's unrealistic to expect miracles with a new QB, a new OC with a new system, and little WR depth. The defense should improve, but again with limited depth at key positions, the team is a couple of injuries away from mediocrity. I think the bowl streak continues but the team is a year away from taking the division.

Final Regular Season Record: 9–3. Most statistical ratings put the team at between 7 and 8 wins, but most (and maybe all) of them don't quantify the impact of a coaching change. I'm giving a bump for that and to continue a streak of irrational optimism.

Key Matchup: Battle at Bristol. Let's not overthink this one. Tennessee is a Top 10 team widely expected to win the SEC East, and the game will have a huge national audience.

Breakout Player: Tremaine Edmunds has already shown great ability, but I expect him to take a big leap forward and be one of, if not our top, defenders this season. Bonus answer: Josh Jackson if the season starter gets injured or doesn't perform.

Billy Berlin (BilldozerVT)

Season Prediction: I want to believe. Oh boy I want to believe this year everything turns around and Tech is returning to the ACC Championship game. Every year I drink my orange and maroon Kool Aid, hoping the Hokies win them all. Not this year though. I won't let myself get sucked in. I think Virginia Tech football has a bright future, but let's face it: This is the first year with a new head coach and a new offensive scheme. There will be flashes of brilliance, but there will also be growing pains. I do believe this team has a chance to be special, but realistically I just want to walk away from this season feeling like the program is headed in the right direction.

Final Regular Season Record: 8–4. I think 8-plus wins is a good sign things are heading in the right direction.

Key Matchup: UNC. I applaud what Larry Fedora has done at UNC. They had a tremendous season last year and preseason polls show that most expect that trend to continue. I think the Battle at Bristol will be an awesome early test, but this game is when the Hokies should be in a groove and know what to expect from a solid ACC team.

Breakout Player: Jerod Evans. I chose him because the season hinges so much on quarterback play and I want him to succeed. I think Motley has the experience and has shown growth over the past year, but I think Evans' ceiling is much higher. If the quarterback is a breakout player, we are all in for a treat this fall.

Joey Coogan

Season Prediction: I don't know what to expect from the Hokies this year. My orange and maroon goggles tell me that Brad Cornelsen inherits an offense with a plethora of playmakers, one that should eventually thrive under Justin Fuente's proven system. Standout seniors Chuck Clark and Ken Ekanem will lead yet another Bud Foster defense, but they won't be alone. Tremaine Edmunds is poised for a breakout sophomore campaign, and the Hokies haven't been this scary at defensive tackle since the Hopkins brothers roamed the dining halls in Blacksburg.

But there's questions. Big questions. Can Jerod Evans be the guy? Can the Hokies survive an injury at linebacker? Can A.J. Hughes suddenly apply for a fifth year?

Legitimate punting concerns aside, there are simply too many unknowns for me to predict a return to 10 wins for the Hokies. But I think they'll get close.

Final Regular Season Record: 8–4

Key Matchup: The Battle at Bristol. 155,000 people. College GameDay. Lee Corso picking the Vols.

I think Joel said it perfectly: "Let's not overthink this one."

Breakout Player: Tremaine Edmunds. Last year, I picked Deon Clarke as my breakout player in yet another prediction gone awry for TKP staff. I'm sticking with the backer position once again, but you can take this one to the bank — Edmunds breaks out in a big way this fall.

Mark Umansky

Season Prediction: The Hokies lost a million games by under a touchdown in the last 5 years. I think the simplification under Justin Fuente's new offensive philosophy will translate to a few more game winning extra first downs or field goal attempts that would have been lost in the last few years. Bud Foster's defense more or less stays about the same as last year, which combined with the ability to (hopefully) finish more games on offense will translate to a few more wins. I think Virginia Tech is in the running for a trip to Charlotte heading down the stretch, due to the meat grinder that the ACC Coastal will be this year.

Final Regular Season Record: 8–4

Key Matchup: Tennessee. The Hokies pull the stunning upset on national primetime television and find themselves ranked in the low 20s in Week 3 and riding high for a loss to ECU a few weeks later. Book it.

Breakout Player: Tim Settle. Big Tim is slimmer, faster, and has a redshirt year of practice under his belt. All of these translate to Tim being an absolute monster on the line (and on punt returns!), and to disrupt even the best offensive lines the Hokies face this season. Tim Settle For Piesman.

Ryan Dye

Season Prediction: This is an interesting year at Virginia Tech. You transition from a legend to an upstart who has the ability to turn things around. You have loads of top end talent on the offense and you have Foster back to coach up the defense. However, there's not much depth. Regardless, I see the Hokies bouncing back a bit and finishing up near the top of the Coastal. No one would second guess you if you went ahead and put the Tennessee and Notre Dame games in the loss column. I'll go ahead and throw North Carolina in that column as well. I think the Hokies likely will lose one of Miami, Pitt, Duke, and GT. For me, that falls on Pitt. You all know the story, and it isn't a very pretty one.

Final Regular Season Record: 8–4

Key Matchup: Miami. In my mind, this game is almost a no-brainer as the key game this season. It's a home matchup against a rival on a Thursday night in Lane. You have to win this type of game if you want to turn the national perception back in your favor.

Breakout Player: Divine Deablo. Fuente has brought him up time after time, which seems to indicate that he's had a great offseason and has carried the momentum into fall camp. With the revelation that snaps at wide receiver will be split more heavily this year, look to the talented true freshman to make an impact when he gets his shot.