Steelemas has come early for Virginia Tech fans. Steele has Tech ranked 29th in his 2014 top 40 countdown. Unless his methodology has changed, Steele's preseason top 40 is a projection of where he believes teams will finish in the final rankings. In other words, it's not a power ratings.
His capsule is always an excellent overview of where the program has been the last few seasons, and where it might be headed. Baring any injuries, I complete agree with his defensive starting lineup. However, I think the offensive front-five is a bit jumbled. I think Farris will start at center, and two of the three of Conte, Teller, and Smith will be the guards. Brent Benedict's status is up in the air, but even if healthy I'm not sure if he would've regained a starting spot. At the very least, it's a positive that there are a lot of o-linemen on the roster with starting/game experience that can play a variety of positions.
Juice Williams is also missing from the running back projections. I'm not sure what, if anything, that implies.
Pay attention to his note for Tech's matchup with Ohio State. "First meeting. The Hokies are 19-2 in 'true' road openers (lost at #2 LSU in '07 & at Pitt in '12). VT is 3-7 L3Y vs ranked opp's. VT last beat a Top10 ranked squad in '09 (#9 Miami, Fl), dropping 3 str since".
Comments
29 seems fair to me. Everything obviously depends on QB play. If Brewer comes in and lights up the ACC we could finish a lot higher than that. If he (or Motley) struggles, we may limp our way to 500. I think 8-10 wins is our likely landing ground. Which will put us at the low end or just out of the top 25.
Anything less than 9 Ws is either a stagnation or step back. Last year we had more Ws than in '12. I expect to see some improvement with the line this year.
Correct...with more emphasis on running the football and hopefully improved play in the o-line...I'm hoping we can make it back to Charlotte this year
I mean the fact that we avoid Clemson, FSU, and Louisville makes it a realistic goal fersure
If we can't make it to Charlotte missing those three we might have issues. Or Wake is really upsetting the Atlantic again.
It's amazing how much info Mr. Steele packs into his guide. Every year, I learn something new about the Hokies from his very thorough research. Steelemas, indeed.
If we can protect the ball better, then there's no reason why we can't expect an improved season over the last two.
I lv readng abt the hkies
shld b vwl
Holy shit. Those acronyms, I can't follow his writing.
I thought the same. I about had a seizure trying to comprehend all of that.
Makes you wonder how long his magazine would be if he didn't do everything in short hand.
Play to win, every down like on that Danny Coale completion - he wanted it and it showed. I think it depends on Coach Beamer. Does he light a fire under some arses, or just look to look good hoping for the best?
Time to bring this out again.
all i know is that i am not going to c-bus to watch us lose...#beatbrutus #gohokies
While I agree with this in theory, the chance to go to the HorseShoe is just too good to turn down. I went to LSU for the same reason. Great atmosphere, terrible outcome, in fact, worst outcome in Beamers coaching career. Hopefully it doesn't get that ugly, but I am a fan of the stadium experiences and am going to be rooting for the Hokies in Columbus.
Really!? Cuz I always thought the shitdown against the tarholes at the Gator Bowl back in '98 was (at least numerically speaking).
Nope, but close. '98 Gator Bowl was 42-3; '07 LSU game was 48-7.
At least with that game we got a TD.
Naw, I think it was a field goal and two pity safeties ~sarcastica~
Do you mean you're not going to Columbus because you expect us to lose? Or that you're going to Columbus and will be satisfied with nothing except a victory?
hmmm, I guess I wasn't that clear...I AM going to Columbus, I DO expect us to win!
(but i will have fun on the trip regardless of the outcome...as the other poster said, visiting other stadiums/college towns is one of my favorite things about college football)
VHT? What?
very highly touted, as in recruits. phil is the man once you figure out the code
Steele has always been fair with the Hokies but Id rather see the hokies in the top 25.
They will be by the end of the year but, my impression is that we've done well when starting the season just outside the 25.
Personally now that we have a playoff, I care even less about the top 25. It's like NCAA basketball where all that matter is if you make the tournament. For now, being selected as one of the top 4 teams is all that matters.