After three straight disappointing seasons, Frank Beamer's Virginia Tech Hokies look poised to reverse their recent mediocrity and return to their perch atop the ACC. Listen, you all know the story of the past few years: Inconsistent quarterback play; suspect blocking; untimely injuries; youth; and a combination of damaging misses on the recruiting trail.
With all that being said, this much is certain: The 7-6 and 8-5 records may have tested your anger management skills, but they've never tested your love for Virginia Tech football.
As currently constituted, the 2015 team has the makings of a special group of players. The defensive line has the potential to finish the season as one of the most talented units ever to don Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon. Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson return to form arguably the stingiest DB duo in all the land. The baby-faced receiving corps of a year ago is now an experienced and complimentary collection of weapons. The offensive line looks to be the best in years. Shane Beamer's stable of running backs looks to be ready to slice and dice opposing defenses. Quarterback Michael Brewer is healthier, wiser and basically BFF's with his supporting cast. Oh, and Beamer Ball looks poised to unleash the fury in true throwback fashion.
Thankfully, there is more than one reason to feel good about this season. It feels more resolute than the blind faith that crept into our psyche over the past few years. Sure, we've become accustomed to qualifying statements like, "If our defensive ends stay healthy, we could be in for a special season." Those are healthy defense mechanisms that differentiate us from the jaded musings of a presumptuous fan base.
Because last year's predictions went so well, The Key Play Staff decided to once again indulge Hokie Nation with our own predictions for the upcoming Tech football season. Feel free to share your outlook for the season too. Happy football season, everyone!
Joe Lanza
Season Prediction:
On paper, this is the best Virginia Tech team since 2011. A reasonable goal this season is for Virginia Tech to win the ACC Coastal division. There are question marks at offensive line, linebacker, rover and quarterback, but not nearly the magnitude of uncertainty of the last few years. I believe this team can be very good if Michael Brewer can limit his mistakes and stretch the field vertically. An injury to one of Tech's starting offensive tackles or defensive ends is one of the worst things that could happen to the Hokies. Tech needs to get back to beating the teams on its schedule it's more talented than. At a minimum that includes: Furman, Purdue, East Carolina, Pittsburgh, NC State, Duke, Boston College, and Virginia. If that happens, 8-9 wins is likely, 10 wins is possible.
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: It's either at Miami, or at Georgia Tech. I'll take the latter because the Bees are defending division champs.
Breakout Player: Bucky Hodges.
Alex Koma
Season Prediction:
For two years now, I've explained to anyone who would listen that the Hokies finally have the talent to return to form. Obviously, my skills as a prognosticator are a bit lacking.
That being said, and despite the painful memories of the last two seasons, I'm bullish once more on the Hokies' chances this year.
Take this with as many grains of salt as you must, but consider that the skill positions on offense finally seem up to snuff and the defensive line and secondary are two of the strongest units on any team in the whole country.
The schedule is overwhelmingly forgiving once more, and while Georgia Tech likely deserves to be considered the favorite in the Coastal, the Hokies are very well positioned to win the division this year.
We're in the ballyhooed third year of Scot Loeffler's offense. Michael Brewer isn't new to the system any more and, for now, is fully healthy. The defense is as talented as it's ever been.
If not this year, then when?
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: Sure, the Pitt and Miami matchups are important to Tech's Coastal chances, but the Thursday night date with the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta looms as the make-or-break game for the Hokies. Winning the OSU game might have the most transformative effect on the team's season, but realistically, taking this road game over the team's biggest division rival will likely have far more of an impact on the shape of this season.
Breakout Player: Greg Stroman. Even if the rumors about him spending time on offense are greatly exaggerated, he still has a real shot to start at nickel and make some more big plays on the punt return. His Military Bowl performance was electric and the staff seems high on him this year, so I see no reason why he's not due for a big step forward this season.
Kevin Weiss
Season Prediction: With this being the first year covering and following Tech football closely, I don't quite have the insight or background knowledge as other contributors on TKP. With that being said, if there was a time for a make-or-break season for Frank Beamer and his coaching staff, 2015 is that time.
To me, it's the best opportunity the Hokies will have for the next few years to lay claim to the Coastal Division and possibly the entire conference, thanks to the embarrassment of riches on the defensive side of the ball, the schedule and an added year of experience for starters at the skill positions.
However, there are still plenty of questions about this team that could cause a team with the potential to win nine games to flatline to another 6-6 regular season.
The biggest concerns I see are lack of depth, particularly on the offensive line, the receiving corps and the back-seven. It's just unrealistic to expect the team's two-deep to look the same in November as it does now once you factor in the idea that injuries will happen.
Easing those concerns a tad is a schedule that misses Notre Dame, Clemson and FSU.
If Frank Beamer and his coaching staff can't get it done in 2015, will they ever?
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: While many people may look ahead to the road game against Georgia Tech as the season's key matchup, I'm keeping my eyes square on the fifth game of the season against Pitt on Oct. 3rd. Yes, it's a home game for Tech, but they'll be coming off two consecutive road games, which is never an easy task. I think the Pitt game could really determine how the remainder of the season shapes up, either way. Lose to Pitt and that could spiral the season out of control with NC State (no slouch, either) coming to Blacksburg just six days later, and then the Hokies follow that up with a road game against Miami (which is always stacked with talent from the 305). Maybe I'm jaded from when I was covering USF football in college (don't even get me started), but early season conference losses take the wind out of a team's sails.
Breakout Player: Isaiah Ford. Technically, he was a breakout player last season as a true freshman, but I really believe he'll make major strides in his sophomore campaign. He's solely focused on football, he's added over 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason and he's been outstanding in every live-action setting the media has been able to witness. Maybe it's my Florida bias (Ford's from Jacksonville), but I could see him being the Tech wideout that finally breaks the 1,000-yards receiving and 10-TD receptions barrier sometime during his tenure as a Hokie.
Jonathan French (french60wasp)
Season Prediction: After piecing together an offense during his two years as offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler finally has all the makings of an explosive offense. He has several talented and experienced running backs, potential superstars two deep at wide receiver and tight end, an experienced quarterback, and an offensive line that carried the team with their run blocking down the stretch last season. Defensively, Bud Foster returns perhaps the best defensive line in the country. He has two shutdown corners, and potentially a third shutdown cover guy in Chuck Clark. He has an outstanding blitzing linebacker in Deon Clarke. As Joe said, if the Hokies are going to return to the top of the ACC season, the time is now.
That being said, the margins are razor thin. One ankle injury at corner means a complete re-haul in the secondary. Mike linebacker and rover are question marks, as is defensive end depth. Even with 3/4ths of the returning defensive line, Miami and Pitt were able to run the football. Pass protection, ball security, and keeping Michael Brewer upright are all worries on offense. The Hokies don't have the depth yet to survive an injury at a critical position.
The opposition is strong too. I haven't been shy when I say that Ohio State is a good matchup for VT, but they are the defending national champions. Pitt, UNC, Georgia Tech, and NC State will all likely be improved teams. The schedulers didn't do the Hokies any favors by scheduling an outstanding spread-hurry up offensive system (ECU) right before a power team like Pitt. Then, they sprinkled salt on the wounds by giving the Hokies a short week to prepare for NC State — a team that they have not played since the Tom O'Brien era. If consistency is an issue, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Hokies beat Ohio State, and then lose 2-3 conference games.
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: I have Pitt circled as the game that scares the bejesus out of me. The Panthers have the best play-action big play threat in the conference in Tyler Boyd, the best running back in the conference in James Conner, and a coach that won't give up on power football and play action in Pat Narduzzi. In 2013, the Hokies shut down Pitt using their base defense and a hybrid look with Dadi Nicolas at whip. Last season, the front did their job, but both Hokie safeties got steamrolled several times one-on-one with Conner in the alley. With inexperienced players Desmond Frye and Adonis Alexander at rover, Coach Foster will need to use his defensive front to keep Conner from getting downhill in order to win this match-up.
Breakout Player: Since the spring, I have thought that Isaiah Ford will have a huge season. Ford has tortured the Hokie cornerbacks on double moves all spring and fall, often getting 5-10 yards of separation. I fully expect Bucky Hodges to be split out like a wide receiver, and defenses that don't have great nickel corners or cover safeties are going to be forced to double him. Nobody on the Hokies is better at beating man coverage than Ford. If Brewer can hit him, Ford should have a monster season.
Mason Naumann
Season Prediction: "Will the offense be able to move the ball?" It's the same question we have been asking ourselves for years here in Blacksburg, and this offseason has been no different. The Hokie offense was one of the least explosive in the country last year, and I'd be more optimistic if the blame could be laid at the feet of a single player or coach. Instead we saw a systemic failure involving every position group. The offensive line struggled to create holes for the running backs or a pocket for the QB; running backs struggled to pull away from defenses for big gains; wide receivers struggled to get separation; and a quarterback who struggled to find them when they did.
I have seen a lot of improvement this past spring and summer during public scrimmages; however, there isn't a ton of depth on this team and just a handful of injuries could prove fatal. I think this offense could be very productive. Until I see it though, I have to trust my gut.
Final Regular Season Record: 8–4
Key Matchup: UVA. The Coastal is going to have a lot of parity this year and I don't think any team runs away with it. Tech could afford to lose to Duke, Georgia Tech or Pittsburgh and still win the Coastal (although probably not all three). Let's forget about the postseason though. At the end of the day, I'm a Hokie. Only two things matter: Beating UVA and winning championships, in that order.
Breakout Player: Brandon Facyson. I've been a huge fan of him ever since I saw him play in his first spring scrimmage and I was disappointed with how his injuries stole his season from his last year. In his return to the field, I expect him to get the national recognition he deserves for his coverage skills.
Brian Marcolini
Season Prediction: There's a strong sense of improvement throughout the TKP staff. Each of us look up and down the roster and simply see more talent on it than any time in the past three years. A trio of big time receiving threats and a stable of backs highlight the offense, while the defensive line is (go figure) one of the most dangerous in the country.
And while it's going to be really fun to watch all of those areas develop over the next few months, the problems are still there. The offensive line is currently made up of a left tackle who was moved from the position last year (Jonathan McLaughlin), a demi-god who may get on the nerves of his position coach (Wyatt Teller), a sophomore center with no real experience (Eric Gallo), a guard who struggled most of last season (Augie Conte), and a former DIII defensive tackle (Wade Hansen). They could be much improved, or they could be just as inconsistent as last year.
And that's not even mentioning that nobody's quite sure what kind of quarterback Michael Brewer is. Could he be a confident gunslinger who looks nothing like the player who barely completed passes beyond five yards? Definitely. Could we see Operation Bubble Screen by Week 3? Also...definitely.
As our fearless leader likes to say, "Not great, Bob."
Add the fact that the C.J. Reavis situation could put the secondary in a bad spot, and we may be looking at another year that falls short of expectations. It'll be better than the last few, but that doesn't mean we'll be happy about it.
Final Regular Season Record: 8–4
Key Matchup: NC State is going to be a much more important game than it seems right now. It's between two teams that seem to be on the rise, and the winner could quite possible find themselves in the Top 25. I really like the Pack as a sleeper in the Atlantic, and this is going to be on a big stage. It may be on a Friday, but it's still a night game that will bring people out in force.
If Tech wins, there could be some serious momentum that comes from it. But if they don't? Remember how flat everything felt post-Miami last year? There are six games after NC State visits Blacksburg, and things would get pretty dire should the Hokies be listless to end the year.
Breakout Player: For the past few years, the team has had a number of guys who haven't really fit a position but are athletic enough to make something happen should they get the ball in their hands.
That's right, I'M RUNNING BACK THE JOEL TRAIN.
Psych. But guys in the mold of Caleb, Carlis Parker and Deon Newsome have all been intriguing. They started off as high school quarterbacks, and simply looked like athletes looking for a role. Now, let me reintroduce you to Travon McMillian.
The former QB out of northern Virginia has seemed to shake off the stigma of the other signal callers who switched positions. There was even talk that he would possibly play last year as a true freshman, before ultimately being redshirted.
But now he's here, he's had a whole offseason of work and looks like he may be the big play threat that has eluded the program since the departure of David Wilson. He'll be used at running back, he'll be split out wide, he'll be brought in motion, and I think he will endear himself to fans in the first few weeks.
Pierson Booher
Season Prediction: Heading into the 2015 season, much of the talk has focused on the strength of the Hokies defense and the promise of the Hokies offense. Here's the thing: That has been the narrative heading into virtually every season for the past 14 years. So pardon me in advance for sounding unoriginal, but I feel like this season's success — possibly more than any season over the last decade — rests solely with the offense. Maybe it's just naivete, but I'm unfazed by the notion that this team has to make a run this season so as not to waste the absurd amount of talent on the defensive side of the football. Year-in and year-out, Bud Foster continually finds a way to reload this Hokies defense into a staunch unit — In Bud We Trust.
I want to see this team get back to annual ten win seasons as much as the rest of you. Do I think it is possible? Yes. Do I think it is realistic? If everything breaks right and Scot Loeffler stays out of his own head, maybe.
Michael Brewer may not be the dynamic playmaker most of us have grown accustomed to under center, but this season marks the first in years where we should feel comfortable knowing we don't need to have a do-it-all quarterback. The staff has done a phenomenal job loading up on playmakers, providing Brewer with a talented and complimentary backfield; a pair of extremely talented young receivers; and three dangerous tight end options. Lefty finally has the bevy of weapons he has longed for since arriving in Blacksburg, and I think this is the year where the offense begins to look like a strength rather than a hindrance.
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: Every season that requires the Hokies to travel to Dorne (Miami) and Hardhome (Boston College) in a three week stretch, I get a bit nervy. Toss it into the midst of the Hokies' scariest month — October, with Pitt, NC State, Miami, Duke and BC, in order — and you've got the makings of 1-2 letdown games. Falter through that stretch and the perceived importance of the November 12th matchup against Georgia Tech could be moot. That's why I think the October 3rd game against Pitt is so important. Beat a team that has historically given good Hokies teams fits and you've built some confidence heading into the Friday Night tilt with the Wolfpack. Lose, and you're left searching for answers heading into the gauntlet.
Breakout Player: Travon McMillian. Sure, the Hokies backfield is crowded, but McMillian has flashed the ability to add an extra level of dynamism to this offense. He can run between the tackles, he can turn the corner, and he looks to be a threat in the receiving game. While each member of the backfield has a unique skillset that complements the whole, McMillian appears to have the makings of a well-rounded talent that could keep defenses on their toes. As Brian rightly pointed out, many of the "weapons" Scot Loeffler & Co. have tried to create over the years have been somewhat one dimensional; once Parker and Newsome stepped onto the field, everyone on the planet knew that they were either getting the ball or serving as a decoy. McMillian has the ability to enter the lineup and provide a multi-dimensional threat that blends into the offense, rather than a focal point of a package everyone is aware of. I may be in the minority, but I prefer my threats lay in the weeds.
TheFifthFuller
Season Prediction: While I am more optimistic about the upcoming season than I have been in a long time, I wanted to share one sobering fact with you: This may be our last season with a Fuller, until the next generation shows up and allows us to play an entire Fuller secondary. I believe Kendall will want to leave his mark and we are going to see the Fuller season of all Fuller seasons. Combine that with our stellar d-line, and defense is not a problem.
Offense? I truly get the sense across all the positional groups (particularly TE) that we're finally moving from choosing the least bad/mediocre option to actually having selection dilemmas of the talent variety. Our o-line appears to be marginally competent; Brewer is healthy (for now); our receivers are talented and older; and our running backs all bring something different to the table that I'm gullible enough to believe (again) that Shane has finally figured out how to use effectively. That being said...
Final Regular Season Record: 12–0
Key Matchup: Honestly, we've now proven we could conceivably lose to any conference opponent on our schedule. Well, except for LOLUVA. So I'm picking them, because at that point, we'll be 11-0 and focused on our pending revenge match with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. The Hoo administration will wise up and will have already fired Mike London, significantly improving their chances of upsetting us while shades of looking past an in-state opponent may haunt us; though to be fair, this one's not as strong as JMU.
Breakout Player: I'm not sure Kendall's Heisman campaign will count as "break out" so I'm going with Greg Stroman. He's shown glimpses, but I think he demonstrates his return abilities to the point where people refuse to punt to him by the end of the season. They'll also try to pick on him as the weak link in the secondary at the nickel spot, but they'll forget this is a Torrian Gray secondary. There IS no weak link. He'll get picks and pass break ups simply because opposing quarterbacks will be too scared to throw at Fuller or Facyson.
Joel Smith (joelestra)
Season Prediction: (/chugs Kool-Aid straight from the pitcher) This is our best team in several years, and I can easily talk you into 10+ regular season wins and an ACC Championship. Who will stop us? The defense will completely shut down opponents, the offensive skills players are incredibly talented, the quarterback has finally had time to actually prepare for the season, and by most accounts the offensive line is practicing with a real chip on it's shoulder. So it's really easy to say Ohio State maybe beats us, and maybe we stumble against an ACC foe.
But while that is all possible, there's also reality. The offensive line would almost have to be better, but I'm not really buying some sudden transformation, and the ability of skill players doesn't mean a whole lot without good line play. Injuries will happen to Tech just like every other school, maybe (probably) even before the season starts. Say Cam Phillips and Joey Gallo go down. How are you feeling now? While I think this is a team on the rise, it would take quite a bit of injury luck and offensive line improvement to make this season special. I see three losses, most likely to Ohio state, Georgia Tech, and one of the multiple ACC opponents that we are better than, but not so much better that we can't lose.
Final Regular Season Record: 9–3
Key Matchup: Georgia Tech. Why do they feel so under-the-radar this year? They play a tough schedule so they likely aren't playoff contenders, but we've become used to years of them not having a great triple-option quarterback. Well now they have one and are a real shot to win the ACC. Aside from the implications for who will win the Coastal, this looks like our most difficult conference game and could seal the division.
Breakout Player: I struggle with what will constitute a "breakout" player, so I'll just go with whoever I think isn't being talked about much now but will be talked about plenty during the season: Deon Clarke. Until the offense improves I'm going with a defensive player every year, and half of the defense isn't even eligible to be a "breakout." Opponents will likely emphasize the quick, short passing game and not test the edges much in the run game, so I see Clarke involved on almost every play and talented enough to take advantage.
Billy Berlin (BilldozerVT)
Season Prediction: Every year before the season my wife asks me how the team is going to be. Every year I respond with: "I actually think we are going to be really good this year." I then go into talking about things like how we do have question marks and we lost some key players from the year before, but this team is underrated, young, and talented.
So, how do I think the team is going to be this season? I actually think we are going to be really good this year.
This team will come out hot against OSU on Labor Day. I can just feel it. I can't promise victory, but at the very least it will be a close game against the defending national champs. After that, I predict we win the games we should and we finally make it back to the ACC Championship Game.
Final Regular Season Record: 10–2
Key Matchup: The easy pick here is the Georgia Tech game since most media outlets have picked either the Hokies or the Jackets to win the division. I think they come into that game with three conference losses and we will firmly control our own destiny at that point, so, let's go with Pitt. First conference game of the season against a team led by Pat Narduzzi.
Breakout Player: Isaiah Ford. Tech's first 1,000 yard receiver.
Joey Coogan
Season Prediction: It was nearly three years ago now — Labor Day night, 2012 — my first game as a Virginia Tech student. There I was in the top row of the East Stands celebrating Cody Journell's (!!!) game-winning field goal to beat Georgia Tech. Sure that this was just the beginning of four years of Hokies football greatness. Brief sample of thoughts running through my head:
"Might as well book a room in Charlotte, we've got the Coastal wrapped up!"
"10 wins every year? I could get used to this!"
"There's a fourth Fuller coming?!?!?" (This one worked out OK.)
"I love you, Cody Journell!"
So I suppose it's fair to say the past three years haven't transpired the way "Freshman Me" may have expected. But for some reason, whether it's yet another terrifying Bud Foster defense or some equally frightening talent on the offensive side of the ball, I'm convinced this year will be different. And to be honest, this year has to be the year, because Mr. & Mrs. Coogan aren't paying for a 5th fall in Blacksburg.
I'm calling ten wins and a December trip to Charlotte. But on a day, and summer, full of predictions, here's one certainty — Labor Day can't come soon enough.
Final Regular Season Record: 10–2
Key Matchup: Pittsburgh. First game of the ACC slate for the Hokies may just be the biggest. A win would be huge for momentum; a loss equally debilitating.
Breakout Player: Deon Clarke. Does Clarke even qualify as a "breakout player?" I'm not quite sure, but I do know the lack of noise surrounding the Hokies best linebacker has been startling. Clarke tallied 74 tackles and 5 sacks in 2014, and I fully expect both of those numbers to rise in his final go-round for the Hokies.
Mark Umansky
Season Prediction: It was incredibly tempting to put that we're going undefeated, that the offense finally gets its act together and takes care of the ball, Bud Foster's defense strangles every other team to a win, and Frank leaves with a title. Then I had my morning coffee and thought about it some more. I do believe that this team will be markedly improved from the past few years. The offensive line is, on paper, less of a patchwork than in the past, the running backs and wide receivers have another year of experience under their belt, and Bud Foster's defense looks to be the best in the country. All signs point to improvement, but will the Hokies buck the trend of the past few years? I think so, and I think it ends with a return trip to Charlotte in December and a return to a 10 win season. My brain says we lose to Ohio State and one ACC team on the road. My heart says we beat Ohio State, then drop two head scratchers later in the year.
Final Regular Season Record: 10–2
Key Matchup: NC State. It's about halfway through the season and our second ACC matchup. A win here and we might find ourselves in the Top 25 with two ACC wins and very nice overall record. A loss here (on primetime Friday Night Lights TV, no less) and we suddenly are looking at a very tough schedule in the ACC for the next month, with a lot of doubt about everything.
Breakout Player: Ryan Malleck. Every year I get the feeling he's about to become The Next Big Thing at tight end, but injuries and other woes on offense have held him back the past few years. With Bucky Hodges (rightfully) getting a lot of attention in preseason, I think Ryan is flying under the radar a bit.
Comments
Pitt is definitely my most feared game, even moreso than OSU. I think this is the game where we really see what kind of team we've got being the first conference game. But between the playmakers they have and the matchup problems their offense causes, I think we're going to have a hard time keeping up with them on the scoreboard. Our only advantage is it being at home and not following another big game the week prior.
Pitt's on the offense to win. Pitt's gonna get their yards and their points, and it's going to be on Loeffler to devise a gameplan that will outscore the Panthers.
Hard to keep up with Pitt?? I never saw them as a team that is dropping points on someone like it's their J-O-B. They aren't Baylor or TCU. They have Boyd and Connor but I don't think those two dismantle us.
PITT has been a bad matchup for us lately...
They don't have to score like Baylor or TCU when their offensive scheme is a bad matchup for our defense and our offense is inept. The point in my comment was that they are going to score on us, no doubt. Whether we can score slightly more than them is going to decide the game. This won't be your typical slugfest where Foster controls the whole game, VT somehow scores 3 TDs and gifts Pitt a garbage field goal so they feel good about themselves.
I agree that they will probably score. I mean it's pretty hard for teams to completely deny other teams (exculding garbage time scores). I agree that if we can score slightly more than them that will decide it but obviously that can be said about every single game. If you look at my comment below, if we would have made on of the field goals we kicked into a TD we would have won that game. That was nowhere out of reach for us and I believe we should have won it. Voytik was a surprise to us I believe and he kept them in the game. He had 119 yds rushing.
Those two did last year...
No they didn't. According to the box score Pitt VT 2014 box score Connor had under 100 yds rushing and 2 tds. Boyd had under 100 yds receiving and a TD.
What killed us was our offensive ability or inability to score. We didn't get into the endzone until the 4th qtr. We were 2 of 14 on third down. We won the turnover battle. If we could have turned one of those field goals into a TD we win. If the TD pass that Boyd scores on isn't botched by the safety we score. Forgot who it was but he took a bad angle on what would have been a pass break up at worst but was looking like an interception and collided with the cover man. Boyd catches it and strolls into the endzone un-touched. If there was one player on that team that won the game for them it was the QB Voytik. He routinely kept drives alive and had 118 yds rushing that game. Contain him, deny Connor and force Boyd to beat the best cover duo in the country. As long as our offense can score points we should win that game.
We could have definaltely won that game. Now, Duke Johnson dismantled us. Connor did not neither did Boyd. If the offense is slightly better than last year and the defense is better no way we should lose that game.
I'm with Bragghokie. I googled "Pitt" "dismantled" "Virginia Tech" and this is all I got
With the help of professional counseling, I'm able to look away from this clip after only 12 minutes now.
Working the program, y'all.
pitt scored 21,9, and 35 in the last 3 games avg 21.6 points per game. throw out the 35 3 years ago and consider we won the game were we gave up 9 points. the game we gave up 21 we still only lost by less than a TD. we should be able to win most games that we only give up 21 points. our anemic offense was the issue last year. not all on the playcalling. multiple times in the redzone with no points and NO rbs left on the roster at that point in time is what killed us. they worry me but not nearly as much as NCST does, I think the pack are WAYYYY under rated.
Thank you to TheFifthFuller for being the voice of optimism in this crowd of realists!
Less pre-snap penalties this year.
If we can do that the rest will fall into place.
Am i seizing with excitement or from the gif?! Either way it tastes great.
I had no idea you had so much staff.
My breakout guy is Chuck Clark, an All-ACC safety by the end of the year.
Tell me about it. The pancake breakfast each month is getting really crowded.
Good thing we have this guy to keep the supply up with such a large demand:
Also, this gif is case study #1 for why Coach Searels machinations with Wyatt Teller are so confounding.
I choose to believe it is because Searels is so absurdly confident in Teller that he wants to gets his second unit better. Any other theory I will disregard by sticking my fingers in my ears and yelling LALALALALALAALLA.
Every time I see this gif, the awesomeness that is Wyatt's block is overwhelmed by my urge to scream, "CUT LEFT!" I think JC could have outrun 98, and I don't think 16 would have had the speed to take down JCC in a footrace.
"I had no idea you had so much staff."
possible explanation:
"I prefer my threats lay in the weeds."
Great write up and insight guys! Really enjoyed reading your opinions on how this season will play out.
Me personally, I see us going 11-1, with our lone loss being against GT in the Techmo Bowl (barn burner, we end up heart broken). However, even with our loss against the Jackets I still see us representing the Coastal in Charlotte. I think GT loses a few close games to give us the Coastal Crown. Obviously, I have us beating anOSU. Final score in that one 27-24 in a close, competitive game throughout, with homefield advantage and being the underdogs playing in our favor.
Key Matchup: For me, it's the Furman game. This reminds me SCARILY of the JMU game...short turn around after an emotional, physical game, Furman has nothing to lose, and overlooking them. BEWARE.
Breakout player: I'm going with Bucky Hodges. He's large, he's athletic, and he's physical. Can't ask for much more in a tight-end. I think he has a HUGE season for us. Also, let's keep an eye on Andrew Motuapuaka, I think something "clicks" this season, and he could potentially be solid for us at LB.
Key Matchup
Great write up and interesting to see the variations. I like the Fifth Fuller's optimism!
I think 11-1 with the loss to OSU or Pitt. For the first time in years I am EXCITED about our offense and the Defense should be one of the best ever. If we stay healthy I could even see 12-0! I am definitely on board the Hype Train!!!
Travon McMillan for the breakout player - He is a playmaker and I think they will find ways to get the ball in his hands, could see him in a Percy Harvin kind of role.
Counting the hours to game time - GO HOKIES!!!
My head says 2-3 losses.
My heart says...
Pitt and GT are the two key matchups I see. GT because of the obvious and Pitt because I agree with Kevin that we need that one to keep the ball rolling. I'm going with McMillian as my breakout player simply because we know what Trey can do and I predict the return of a viable run game.
TheFifthFuller gets it.... Not sure about the rest of you guys...
FifthFuller gets the nod from me.
Me leaning toward a fifth...who knew?
Realistically, I see us at 8-4. Losses to OSU and then some combination of GT/Miami/Duke/ECU/Pitt/UNC.
In my heart, I see us going 9-3 or 10-2. The swing game there is if we beat OSU.
Regardless of the outcomes, it's going to be six awesome days/nights at Lane.
Gosh, how much staff do we have? I for one think this is going to be a 10-2 regular season not counting any ACC Championship game or Bowl game. We might lose the revenge game to OSU and then probably Miami after that. I think Bud will Shutdown GT.
Bud will "Contain" GT.
I knew I could count on TheFifthFuller to predict 12-0. Never fails
It's the pancake breakfast, Ron. We do it every month.
(meant to reply to the pancake breakfast comment...pancakes just get me all out of sorts)
10 wins if the team stays healthy.
8 if the team has an average number of injuries
6 again if the injuries pile up like last year.
We shouldn't lose more than 1. We'll most likely drop 2, and it pains me to type that.
Umm who invited Mason and Brian to the party?
Edit: My breakout player is RVD. The whole damn show finally stays healthy and the whip stays on the field more and more helping us beat Pitt.
Two legs if I could.
One for the gif, and one for this reference:
I'll be interested to see how the run defense does this year. Rushing D ended up ranked 39th and Last year had below average performances against ACC teams and home games.
Defense won't matter so much if the offense can get going.
The breakout player Tech needs is Michael Brewer. If Brewer can give us Sophomore Logan numbers we should do good
Using S&P+, which adjusts for opponent, we were 14th against the rush last year. The only true weak spot on defense was explosive plays (rushing and passing).
I don't even think we need sophomore Logan numbers...just limit turnovers and improve accuracy on deeper passes to stretch the defense and the offense could take a pretty big step forward.
Wow...I didnt mean the defense could be THAT bad.
Anyway how's the run defense looking
The Pitt game will be very telling, for the exact reason Joe was saying about beating teams that we are more talented than. I totally get the matchup nightmare thing, and I agree with it, but that game will tell us at a midway point in the season whether or not this team can win the ACC or not.
I'm going with breakouts from players we already are very familiar with, but can announce themselves to the country in Deon Clarke and Isaiah Ford. Ford could go over 1,000, and Clarke is just a sack monster.
Talk about a downer. Man I clicked this thread all hyped up from everything I've read in camp and the spring to read 9-3 and 8-4 predictions???!?!?!?? Really Mason?? We went 8-4 two years ago and we were all pissed.
Honestly if we don't get to 10 wins in the regular season I think it will be a disappointment. We can beat everyone on that schedule. We may drop the OSU game. And I'd be ok with that, as long as we don't embarrass ourselves in it. Every other game we should win. We will probably drop one more just because that's how it goes sometimes. I say it's either Pitt, GT or NC State that does it. So I'm going 10-2 and heading to the ACCCG. Have the ability to end the season at 12-2 and ranked in the top 10.
You'll be disappointed in a 9-3 regular season? Do you remember us being 5-6 heading into UVA?
You mean when we were 6-6 and UVA came to make it official?
I kid, of course. That was a great game.
Shit, haven't we been 5-6 going into the UVA game twice in three years now? UVA really dropped the ball on their chance to get a win in before the next century of dominance begins.
2 of the last 3 years. 2013 we had 7 wins already
Yes. Yes, that was last year. Were you happy being 5-6 heading into the UVA game?? If you can say you weren't disappointed in the season at that point then I don't know what team you were watching.
That's what we would like, but reality is different. Reality is we have not shown that we are a 10 win team since 2011. This year HAS potential, but it's ifs and buts all over again, just like 2013. IF our offense can fire and Loeffler can expand our playbook and IF we do not get injuries that expose our thin depth in key positions, then yes, we are a 10+ win team. If they do not work in our favor, I can easily see another 7-8 win team.
To be fair, the end-of-year record is always ifs and buts before the season starts...
Right. And that's what I'm saying at this point in the season. At this point with the experience and talent we have on the team I see us as a 10 win team. We currently do not have any major injuries to key positions so you can't include that yet. As I mentioned to Mason below, if we do get an injury to a key player then yes expectations change. If Brewer gets put out for the season in the OSU game (knock on wood) then obviously our outlook for the season changes. But as of right now, we have experience and talent and we don't have any key injuries so I'd be disappointed if we don't get to 10 wins in the regular season.
Let the record show that not a single staff member is taking the under on our Vegas predicted win total...
oops
With an injury or two I could actually see this team being below .500.
Lets not forget this team's last three games involved
1) Losing to Wake Forest
2) Was losing to UVA with just over two minutes to go in the game
3) Pulled away from Cinci only after knocking their starting QB out of the game
In a best case scenario, I see this team easily being a 10 win team. For that to happen though we'd need to see improvements from every position group on the offense. Considering Tech's injury issues over the past couple seasons, I don't expect the team to remain completely healthy. An injury to either Ford, Phillips, or Hodges would be devastating because of the complete lack of depth at the WR position.
Truth be told, I think 8-4 is fairly optimistic.
I think we are a 10 win team. I agree that injuries can derail what can be a good season quickly. However I'm not taking that until said injury happens. If it does happen then I'll reevaluate the rest of the season and see where we can win and lose.
But with all the write-ups in the spring and fall camp and no serious injuries as of yet I can't go ahead and assume that we will lose someone key and lose a couple games because of it. Again, when that injury happens I'll re-adjust my outlook. But with a healthy team that we have right now I'm expecting 10 wins and a trip to the ACCCG.
You are right, but I would have said the same thing at the start of last season. And we saw what injuries happened then. It's crazy to think that we won't have at least one somewhat significant injury throughout the course of the season.
I can understand that, and if you take injuries completely out of the equation I do think Tech easily gets to 10 wins.
That being said, injuries are almost a given during a football season. Depth has to be a factor when making season predictions.
I get keeping expectations in check, but I think this is a little overboard. I'd say we are deeper and more experienced at nearly every position than last year. We also endured an injury streak that most wouldn't have even thought possible, and we still inched out .500. Even with all that, you think 8-4 is optimistic?
I think 8-4 is fair, leaning towards optimistic. The VT scout team should have been able to win the Wake Forest game 3-0 in regulation. Sure we had injuries, but there were some baffling offensive playcalls in that game.
We have offensive talent to be sure, and they could be really good if kept fairly injury free. But as far as I'm concerned, injuries or not, the jury is still deliberating on Loeffler and Searles as answers for this team.
I agree. I guess in my mind, it's reasonable to expect a noticeable improvement on offense given better depth/more experience/less injuries, and I really think a competent offense gets us to 8 wins. I guess to me that says that it's perfectly reasonable to expect 8 wins (personally I'd say 9, but I'm adjusting for my optimism), pessimistic to say 6 (ie. everything that went wrong last year goes even worse this year) and optimistic to say 10 wins. I'll admit this is starting to feel like semantics though.
We lost five games last year by a touchdown or less, three by a field goal, and our offense stunk on ice down the stretch. We were a couple of lucky bounces away from being an 8 win team last year. An honestly competent offense would be worth more than two additional wins.
we also beat uva/duke by a combined 5 points. Works both ways.
No argument from me, we were a couple bad bounces away from finishing 4-8. But that means realistically, the realm of pure luck puts us between 4 and 8 wins. Actually put an offense on the field that resembles something other than a pack of dogs fucking a watermelon and all those close games become wins.
If we get to 8 wins it'll be a miracle.
:(
15-0!
Season Prediction: Yeah, I do think we step out of the gate, at home, and win against #1 OSU, and get ranked top 15. Then we drop the Furman game, too tired to compete, unprepared, and unmotivated, and losing that top 15 ranking. We'll be motivated after that first loss, but still lacking offensive confidence, so I fully expect to see us squeak by Purdue, ECU, and Pitt, on the strength of a pass-happy and inconsistent offense, a good return game, and defense playing at national championship levels. We'll be in the top 20, and lose by at least 10 to NCSU, who then leaps into atlantic contender status, having beaten Louisville the game before. Fortunately for us, Miami is the next game, and we always get up for Miami. Even more important, Loeffler concentrates on making the running game the staple of our offense, following the loss to NCSU with less than 25 rushing attempts. In a battle of grit, we stand up in the fourth quarter and run past Miami. Witht the offensive focus now on the running game, and getting the oline to push instead of pass-block, and extra time to prepare for GT, we win out, get re-ranked, and seek revenge on the Wolfpack in the ACC Championship Game.
Regular Season Record: 10-2
Key Matchup: Pitt Yeah it is that game. They really are a bad matchup for us. Fortunately, Bud knows this and fixes the MLB tentative issues one way or another. Unfortunately, it's a draining game, before a short week to prepare for the dark-horse atlantic team. They won't let us run, but we have the receivers to win.
Breakout Player: The entire Oline. Whenever the coaches stop trying to make this offense exclusively about keeping Brewer alive (he is elusive enough to not get destroyed you know?), and tell the OLine to lean forward, the big guys up front feel better about what they're doing, run blocking after-all is much easier than pass blocking.
I agree with this mostly, but wasn't that the mindset last year?
Wake and Miami were major outliers as far as VT's track record. Two of the worst games VT has played in the past decade. A good reminder that anyone can win on any given day, but hard to draw larger conclusions from in my opinion.
Wake is defiantly the Worst, but Miami and many other make them not the outlier. Generally there's 1 a year
JMU
Maryland
Miami 2012
Clemson 2011
plus ugly wins UVA 2012 and many others
1. You can't just trot out a couple of examples and declare them representative of the other 120+ games that we've played in the past decade. Not even sure I would count those 2012 games on the same level as Miami, Wake, and ECU last year. Also, the a couple of those losses weren't to truly bad teams like Purdue or Furman. These games happen, but not terribly often, hence the outlier statement.
2. Scoring 0 points in regulation isn't an outlier? How often does that happen?
3. How often does a Bud Foster defense give up 30 points at home (7 times)? How often does a Bud Foster defense give up 30 points at home for a night game (4 times)? These are rare occurrences
Are we thinking of the same Furman? The one that finished 3-9 last year?
I present for your consideration 2014's Staff Predictions:
Joe Lanza 9–3
Alex Koma 10–2
Mark Trible 8–4
Jonathan French (french60wasp) 8–4
Mason Naumann (3rdand31) 11–1
Brian Marcolini 9–3
Billy Berlin (BilldozerVT) 10–2
Pierson Booher (PhillyHokie007) 10–2
TheFifthFuller 12–0
Joel Smith (joelestra) 9–3
I think everyone deserves a pass on the WF game as nobody expected the Hokies to screw that pooch, so Trible and French were right on the money, but I think we all were hoping FifthFuller would be Nostradamus. Check the article to see who predicted Josh Stanford to be the breakout player...
was it done for 2013? Would bet the predictions were pretty similar for that year as well and possibly 2012.
That's fun to look back on...it's obviously really hard to predict a season very accurately. I'll stand by mine from last year.
*Cough* Someone should do a more objective statistical season preview *cough*
Yeah it is really hard to predict the season, that's why Vegas is rich. I just thought it would be fun to look back and see how high the homerism was last year knowing what we know now.
Breakout Player: I think Deon Clarke is primed for a huge season. Clarke brings a unique combination of speed and physicality to the backer position that we have not seen since Xavier Adibi. He can jolt blockers with his gap fits at the point of attack. He has more speed than Tariq Edwards, to go with a knack for getting to the quarterback on blitzes. Expect to see Clarke coming off the edge often when Kyshoen Jarrett plays in the box. I predict that he will have close to a half-dozen sacks and will be a dynamic playmaker up front.
Deon Clarke Solo Tackles: 30 Assisted Tackles: 44 TFL: 11.0 Sacks: 5.0-40
Nice call
It's actually a bit creepy how close some of the guys on there were. Joel's key matchup is right on, TFF went through all of our RBs until he settled on the last one remaining, which mirrored how the season went pretty perfectly, Mark's assessment of ECU being the measure of our focus level, Mason picks us to beat OSU and get bitten by depth (he says on the DL) at some point, French is French, and as Joe predicted, without an effective running game we finished the season 6-6.
Some who were dead wrong on the other hand...
Alex picks Josh Stanford as breakout player
Mark picks RVD as breakout player
Everyone who picked Pitt - Yeah, we lost and it was a big game, but neither of us were really in contention for the Coastal by the end of that one.
The eternal optimism of so man 9-11 win predictions (one of these years, guys. It'll happen).
So goeth college football.
Question-> 7-8 wins but no Coastal Title?? What happens? Obviously it would depend on it we're fully healthy or injury ridden season again.. but still that would be 4 years of 7-8 wins and no ACC title game appearances.
I think the Ohio State game is critical. Last year, if injuries hadn't decimated several units, that win at Ohio Stadium would have really catapulted VT. As it was, any confidence and momentum was canceled out almost immediately.
Certainly, if the Hokies win, they will have the same opportunity, but even if they lose yet compete and are in a position to win in 2nd half, that will give them the basis to believe that they can play with anyone in the country. If the score doesn't look pretty in a loss, that opens up a lot of possibilities.
Because of that, I would like to see the staff address this topic again on September 8th or 9th.
9-3 (6-2)
key game: Friday Night vs NCSU. They are getting some preseason hype and beating them will be key to our chances for a Coastal Championship.
breakout player: Trey Edmunds. Finally gets a complete season, puts #1 RB on lockdown. 900+ yards, 10+ TD.
highlights - revenge on GT, revenge on Pitt, streak continues vs UVA,
lowlights - Close loss to OSU, Loss on the road to BC (because BC), Loss at home to UNC (we always lose a game at home to someone we should beat)
I think we have a legit shot at a Coastal Championship. UNC has a pretty weak schedule, but I can see them dropping at least three of these games: @GT, @Pitt, @NCSU, and Duke at home.
GT has Clemson and FSU from the Atlantic and we'd have the tiebreaker over them if they only drop one other game.
Just a heads up that the TKP user predictions are over here...
Non-staff predictions
Plus 5
Only two things matter: Beating UVA and winning championships, in that order.
I've refrained from commenting anything of value on this thread because I'm pretty sure that just about all of us are gonna look like complete morons one way or the other by this time next year.
Everyone except for FifthFuller, he nailed it.
As much as it pains me, you sir deserve some legs for this sage prediction.
For the last three years we are 1-2 against Pitt, Boston College, and Miami individually. This year's games are going to be tough. With improved talent and improved coaching building a better team, we should win more of these matchups.
We have to be able to run the ball. We have some pretty good backs that have size. Lefty has to trust the run game. In my mind the worse game he called was Western Michigan. That game should have been over in the first half.
I really hate to do this but can we take a second to recognize that 8 games into the season none of these predictions are still in contention...
3-9 anybody? It is hard to believe but we are one of 3 worst teams in the week ACC with Wake and UVa. And not sure of the order. And don't even play Clemson or FSU thank goodness. Rock bottom.
Live look at the race to the bottom in the ACC Coastal.
hey now, don't leave BC out of this discussion of worst teams in the ACC
Ya this is just painful to look back at...so young and naive we were....full of trust and hope with a sparkle in our eye. Siiigh.
So.........
Next year?
The pre-season Kool-Aid is always strong, and we had no actual in-game evidence to temper it.
It's amazing how our hopes for an 8-4 season have morphed into hopes to finish 4-8. Boy it sure didn't take long to fall far from grace... :(
here's hoping we get some positive momentum going into the off-season. It's going to be a long and painful one I fear. This off season will probably yield more unknowns for VT than we've seen in almost 3 decades.
/waves hand in front of your face
Nothing to see here, folks, move along, move along. <_<
I had a dream this year would be,
so different from this hell we're living!
Edit:
The joke was a call back to here:
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2015/september/2/one-day-more
I think we all did...hey...at least we have more wins than UVA...for now
oh well!!!!
I know y'all ain't dissing my picks. I asked Frank, we're still in the preseason. That shit don't count.