David Hale has us #4 in the preseason power rankings.
4. Virginia Tech Hokies: Slowly but surely, the Virginia Tech bandwagon appears to be growing. There is little doubt the Hokies will have one of the nation's best defenses (though the loss of C.J. Reavis hurts), but there seems to be increased enthusiasm that the offense can finally turn things around, too.
I think this interview sums up my reaction:
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GT #2...
ESPN sure is drinkin that bottle of urine thinking its Yellow Kool-Aid, huh?
I mean, it's not unreasonable to put GT at #2. While I think we will win this years head to head match up, we could easily drop games elsewhere on the schedule, allowing GT to win the coastal.
EDIT: Yes, GT has the tougher conference schedule, but our offense is yet to deliver consistently. Yes, we return lots of talent and we have loads of potential, but until I see us play a complete games and establish the run, I cannot seriously consider us a conference/division favorite.
I mean, I think its pretty safe to say most everyone believes Clemson is going to win the ACC. FSU is always good, and you can definitely make a case for GT to win the coastal, mainly because they are the previous champs and didnt lose much from that team. With Clemson the favorite, I think that #'s 2-4 are a jumbled mess and you could go with just about any prediction. I definitely think we'll beat GT for the coastal crown, but until its decided on the field, Im not gonna lose any sleep over meaningless preseason predictions
GT had a lucky horseshoe lodged so far up their asses last year that many forgot it even existed.
They benefited from numerous unforced late game completely bone headed decisions by opponents to get some wins that pushed them to Coastal Champions. I mean, give them their due, they capitalized on them all and won the division and beat up on Miss St in Miami, but man... I dunno. I just don't see it happening again. So, so many things had to break right for them last year, and on top of that, they somehow managed to remain healthy throughout. People forget just how many in Atlanta were calling for Paul Johnson's head prior to the start of last year. I suspect this season will remind them of why that was.
Which actually I'll be ecstatic about if it does come to pass. Theres nothing like a dose of schadenfreude against balls-chin and GT.
Also, just look at how brutal their schedule is this year. They play both FSU and Clemson from the Atlantic. Combine that with the fact that they lost a lot of talent on offense, and I just don't see how they are so overwhelmingly the favorite in the division. I think our game with them will decide the division, but I think the division is a lot closer than some make it out to be.
They weren't a great defensive team last year but they were top 5 in offensive efficiency and explosiveness and were the best team in college football at finishing drives in the red zone. As long as they have that QB running the offense they're going to be good again.
^This, and more ^this (Alum07)
Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparation.
Yea, they got some breaks, but they were also ready for them.
Yet another classic case of sportswriters buying a stock at its peak without even glancing at the fundamentals...
I do believe they lost their top two WRs and all their RBs. I'm pretty sure QB is the only returning starter for skill positions that they have. I think people have them ranked high because they went 11-2 last year and won the coastal. No way they do it again. We had a chance to have won that game despite Brewer throwing 3 picks, one being a pick six.
No need to sugar coat it... That pick six was a backbreaking gift on a silver platter. It was an awful, awful decision thrown right to the defender who rightfully housed it.
This is what I get for going with #marinades instead of researching the material myself ha
I guess I'm too young to know any different, but was Corey Moore always that big of an asshole? lol
No. He later admitted that he was acting a bit crazy to try to take pressure off of Vick. I think there's an old thread on here that went in to it. I'll try to find it.
Edit: Found it
I appreciate the insight! Leg for you sir!
Thanks for that. The man doesn't like the media and "cameras in his face".
I can't help but laugh.
#yeahsurerightwhatever
Man, I've never seen that. The two other guys that sit next to me in the office, who aren't even VT fans, were crackin' up listening to Corey there. Truly awesome.
He was a classic!!!!
...sigh
Funny, that was in '99. And you know what, we made the NC game. And the $EC takes their FCS game in November every year, and they still won 7 in a row. A lot of lip service, but never seems to really hurt beating the FCS schools.
Honesty I don't really think out matters when you old play an fcs team, out is bad no matter what
Perhaps our D-line can hire Corey Moore as their media consultant.
due has PR written all over him. Definitely think Whit should look into bringing him in as a spokesman for the athletic department /s
We've got 'em right where we want 'em.
Tech is going to start the year with the best defensive line in the country and probably the best secondary in the country. Tech is also returning everyone of note on the offensive side of the ball.
Buy low.
Is the secondary going to be as amazing as everyone thinks? Fuller is all everything and Faycson has the possibility of being very good assuming he's fully back from a broken leg and has knocked all the rust off. Chuck Clark looks to be good as well, however he will be playing a different position. We have an unknown at the other safety spot with the safeties the quarterbacks of the defense. I'm really worried that on September 8th we are going to hear a lot about blown coverages and people not being in the right positions to make tackles. Also, with the way our DBs cover receivers, I worried more than ever about pass interferences and "perfect passes" (think ECU).
doubtful it will be the best secondary in the country. it's been regarded as a top 5 unit though from quite a few places, but that was also before losing CJ.
If we had Reavis I would easily defend us as the number 1 secondary. Without him I'd say we're still a lock for top 10 but we'll have to see how the new safetys come in
easily with 1 returning starter playing the same position as last year? I'm a clark fan but he'll be at a new position rover or free, a brand new starter at the other safety spot and Brandon faycson will be rusty as well.
I don't anticipate Facyson to be rusty and Reavis looked to have the rover spot locked for a smooth transition. Obviously some uncertainty with Clarks new spot, but there isn't a secondary in the country without any concerns
There might be some growing pains while things get figured out, but the secondary should be very good overall. Allow me to counter with a couple of statements.
1. Returning 4 guys with 7+ career starts, 3 starters from last year, an All-ACC caliber CB and an All-American CB from a secondary that was #14 in pass efficiency defense and #2 in passing S&P+ defense is a very, very good place to start.
2. We've had less experienced guys than Chuck Clark slide into the FS role and succeed. Plus, it's his third year in the system, so he should know the defense by now. Communication should be the main (perhaps sole) worry there.
3. We've been covering receivers like that ever since Torrian Gray got here. Not entirely sure why you're worried now.
It probably won't be the best secondary in the country and there'll likely be some issues with gap fits early on (heck, there were some with the senior safeties last year), but overall they should be quite good.
I'm fine with the #4 ranking in the ACC for now for the following reason: we lose to a ton of teams we should DEFINITELY beat every dang season (as of the last few) and until we prove that we no longer get beat by teams we should chalk up as a W before the season starts we are going to stay there....
I think this is the season we don't blow it against the guarantee W teams. If we can keep the losses to only OSU and Miami (sorry guys but they recruit very very well) then I'll be happy.
2014 inexcusable losses: East Carolina, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Wake Forest
2013 inexcusable losses: Duke, Boston College, Maryland
2012 inexcusable losses: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, North Carolina