What I'm watching for in the Maroon-Orange Game

The Virginia Tech football coaches began spring with lots of questions and, though they haven't found all of their answers yet, I expect they are feeling good about the state of the program. I haven't had anywhere near the access that the coaches have to the players, but I have formulated a few opinions about the squad after attending the public scrimmages over the past few weeks. As spring football comes to a close, now is the perfect time to reflect on what I've learned so far and what I will be keeping an eye on during the spring game.

Offensive Line Improvements

I had a few concerns about the offensive line this offseason, but after seeing Eric Gallo and Wade Hansen play this spring I expect that unit will continue the steady progress it's seen under Stacy Searels. The interior play of the line (Teller/Gallo/Conte) was the most promising, especially in the run game. Against the first team defense the offensive line fell short of dominance in the run game, but they were at least reliable. When the first team offense played the second team defense, that was a different story. The line mauled during running plays, frequently opening up huge holes and very rarely allowing the back to get hit in the backfield. As is usually the case, pass protection wasn't as impressive but it wasn't the disaster it's been in previous springs. The new found success Tech had throwing the ball down the field is in part due to the extra time that Brewer and Motley had to stand in the pocket and wait for routes to break open.

Brewer's Big Spring

At this point, regardless of what Scot Loeffler might claim, the quarterback debate has been settled in Blacksburg. Michael Brewer will be the starter in 2015 but it is not because Brenden Motley has had a poor spring. Motley was explosive running the ball, he ripped off two separate 50+ yard touchdown runs in the second scrimmage alone, and threw a nice deep balls all spring. Motley has played well enough that I wouldn't completely write off the season if he was forced into the starter's role because of injury, as Loeffler could build a gameplan around a dual threat QB with Motley's skill set.

Michael Brewer has been on a different level this spring, looking to finally be in command of Loeffler's offense. Loeffler won't have to simplify his tactics with Brewer in the game, he can rely on Brewer to make the correct decisions and get the ball in the hands of his playmakers. Brewer also has the advantage of being the more accurate passer of the two, especially in the short pass game. There are going to be times when the offense will struggle to run the ball against talented defensive lines. When that happens it will be critical for the offense to have a guy behind center who is comfortable from the spread, who can read defensive coverages quickly and quickly get the ball to his open receivers. That is what Brewer does best.

An Emerging Identity?

One question that has gone unanswered after three spring scrimmages is "Who will be the third wide receiver?". There were plenty of candidates for the job (Deon Newsome, Demitri Knowles, Kevin Asante to name a few), but no one was able to lock down that third spot. The third wide receiver spot is important because there are situations where you want the extra speed that a third receiver possesses. Without greater consistency and production from that position, having a fullback or a second tight end on the field will be a bigger matchup problem for opposing defenses than a third wide receiver.

The biggest criticism of Scot Loeffler's offense has been the lack of an offensive identity. This year, if he wants to build an identity he has the personnel to do it. He has an offensive line that run blocks well, particularly on the interior. He has a talented and deep group of running backs. He has a talented and deep group of tight ends, H-Backs, and fullbacks. He has three legitimate deep threats in Cam Phillips, Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges. He has a quarterback in Brewer who is showcasing an improved deep ball this spring. He does not have an established third receiver.

If I were Scott Loeffler, I would force defenses to commit to stopping my running game by lining up in traditional personnel packages (avoiding three or four wide receiver packages) and run the ball in between the tackles. Once defenses have overcommitted to the run, I would attack them vertically through the air with play-action passes. I would also flex my tight ends out to isolate run-oriented linebackers/safeties against my superior athletes, but everything would eventually come back to the run game. That would have to be the bread and butter, and I'd never forget it.

I think (or I at least hope) that is the direction the offense will be heading under Loeffler this year. That's also why I'll be watching the spring game very closely on saturday. Will the offense be able to run the ball against one of the best front 7's they'll see all year? Will receivers get open against a defense that plays man coverage? Will Brewer recognize that the defense is overcommitting, and will he be able to make the throws down the field to open teammates? The spring game won't determine how the 2015 season unfolds, but it will give us an idea of what our Hokies are capable of.