As I mentioned last week I hope Hokie Tracks catches everyone up on relevant Virginia Tech, ACC and college football news, as well as puts forth discussion points to engage you and spark conversation below.
Tony Barnhart asked and answered his Top 10: Burning questions about the ACC. I answered his questions too. I stole this idea from Bud.
1: Is this the year Florida State wins another ACC championship and gets back into the discussion for the national title?
Media darling Florida State is certainly the preseason favorite to win the ACC. As it stands now they have the deepest, most talented roster in the Atlantic. However, they travel to Clemson after hosting Oklahoma, and have to head north in November to face Boston College on a Thursday night. I think they lose one of those two ACC games, and they'll be a slight home dog to the Sooners. Splitting against Clemson / BC will be enough to get them Charlotte, but they're still a year away from national championship contention.
2: Will Georgia Tech's defense make significant strides in year two under Al Groh?
Definitely. Groh's a tremendous defensive mind and coach. Professional teams cannot switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in a season. But do they have a serviceable nose tackle and hulking linebackers? If they don't their overall ceiling is low.
3: When Miami opens against Maryland on Sept. 5, will Jacory Harris be the starting quarterback?
I hope so, and I hope he remains the starter for the ‘Canes trip to Blacksburg. I think it's going to be tough for Golden to overlook Harris' talent and skill set in favor of Stephen Morris' stability.
4: Is North Carolina going to be better than we think?
North Carolina is either the best or second best team in the Coastal Division. If it was an even numbered year and they caught GT and VT at home and had to travel to Miami they'd probably be the favorite. There's at least three potential first round picks on the defense (Quinton Coples, Zach Brown, Donte Paige-Moss). Fifteen total starters return. Bryn Renner could be a special quarterback.
5: Can Logan Thomas pick up the mantle at quarterback from Tyrod Taylor at Virginia Tech?
Taylor started 42 games and left as one of Frank Beamer's favorite players. Thomas is big (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), fast and accurate (went 40 of 70 and threw only one interception in spring ball)
/Hype-O-Meter Increase
6: Will new OC Chad Morris make a difference at Clemson?
Yes. Last season Clemson was 88th in total offense while Tulsa was 5th. There really isn't anywhere to go but up. How high they go will depend on the progression of Tahj Boyd, but he has all the tools to be successful.
7: Can North Carolina State challenge in the Atlantic Division with Mike Glennon as quarterback?
After he slammed the chapter on Russell Wilson era shut Tom O'Brien hopes so. Mike Glennon threw 13 balls last season and Wilson was one of the best quarterbacks in State's history. There's not much to go on except to trust O'Brien's judgement, buy into the hype, or unfairly compare him to his brother Sean. They won't win in Tallahassee so they won't challenge for the division.
8: What will Maryland do under first-year coach Randy Edsall?
L Miami
L WVU
W Temple
W Towson
L @Georgia Tech
L Clemson
L @Florida State
W Boston College
W Virginia
L Notre Dame
W @Wake Forest
L @NC State
5-7. The Fridge went 9-4 last year.
9: Is Luke Kuechly of Boston College the best linebacker in college football?
Maybe? Kuechly is certainly one of the best among Zach Brown, Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Travis Lewis and others. Yeah, I totally dodged answering that question.
10: Is Duke really getting better under David Cutcliffe?
Yes. Even though Duke's record slipped from 5-7 in 2009 to 3-9 in ‘10 they are becoming a respectable football program under Cutcliffe. Cutcliffe is maximizing one of the thinnest rosters in the country. Even though our matchup last year reminded us of the good old days of blowing Duke's doors off the hinges, I expect tighter games going forward like those in 2008 and ‘09.
Heather Dinich believes of our four nonconference opponents, the we should fear the East Carolina Pirates the most.
Quarterback Dominique Davis returns to lead an offense that has scored 35 or more points in six of the last seven (and 11 of the last 13) games. It will be facing a Hokies' defense that has given up too many big plays for Bud Foster's liking, and has to replace three of four starters up front. ECU also has won five of its last eight home games against BCS opponents since 2005 -- including last year's win over NC State.
Who do you think Tech should "fear"?
Comments
Even though we don't play them this year, anybody in Northern Virginia that has a radio knows that we are supposed to Fear the Turtle!
Fear?
ECU always represents a great challenge and every year since '07, it has been a great game minus the 2009 snoozer (on both sides). To be honest we gotta step up in week one. Though it was five years ago, App State proved they could go anywhere and beat anybody (though Michigan wasn't the greatest team ever that year, it was still a win at the Big House against a Top 5 UM team). I don't think we should 'fear' anyone (because we have the talent and coaching to be in every game) but we can't start slow, even against ASU, especially after the JMU debacle last fall.
weaver22: hahahaha nice. Last time I was down that way I remember having to change the stations more than a few times just to not hear someone saying that over and over again.
Appalachian State is indeed a very good football team that's used to playing on the big stage. They've probably had more big game success than Tech. That's concerning. Both teams will probably use last year's VT-JMU game as motivation. I would be more worried about a potential upset if we didn't have the summer to prepare, and we had stomped JMU. The coaches are going to be in the players' ears all August about this game.
I think FSU and UNC are going to be in national spotlight
If FSU beats Oklahoma I could see them going undefeated into the ACCCG. Clemson will be coming off the Auburn game when they face FSU. Boston College will be coming off 2 tough road games (VT and uMD) before playing FSU.
I think UNC well be really good this year. Also on offense remember they have Ryan Houston coming back. Also hoping they are in the national spotlight because of NCAA trouble as well.
honestly
App State concerns me the most. LT's first real start against a scrappy. Cliche, but very real, for what the team exhibits. They have nothing to lose against us. If we start out walking into this one it'll be ugly. Regardless of how many times DW backflips onto the field.