I lined up the 2009 and 2013 Virginia Tech starting squads below, with the advantage being highlighted in bold.
In summary, I think we're a slighly better overall team. I think we are better on defense, particularly the defensive line and and secondary, and slightly worse at the offensive skill positions. We are relatively neutral on the offensive line, and I give the edge to r-SR Logan over JR Tyrod.
Addition talent on the defensive line will hopefully be able to slow down TJ Yeldon, and the better 2013 secondary will be able to keep the playaction game in front of them. I think Logan will have to play the game of his life to compensate for the unknowns at WR and RB. But with that said, I think if DJ is healthy and explosive for 4 quarters, and Trey runs the ball like we all want him to, this game mgiht be closer than I originally thought.
What do you all think?
Tyrod Taylor vs Logan Thomas: This one is extremely tough, but I think Logan is a better QB at this point in his career than Tyrod was in 2009. Tyrod was only 9/20 for 91 yards vs Alabama, and I believe that Logan will be better than that.
Ryan Williams / Josh Oglesby vs Trey Edmunds / JCC: In my opinion, Ryan Williams was the best running back we've had at Virginia Tech. Fast. Strong. Vision. Great cutting ability.
Jarret Boykin / Danny Coale vs DJ Coles / Demetri Knowles: Two of the most consistent receivers we've had at VT. DJ Coles is more talented, but how healthy is his knee? Can Demetri be the all-around WR we need him to be, or is he just the deep guy?
Beau Warren vs David Wang: Beau Warren was consistent, but I think David Wang is going to suprise some people this year. He was hurt for most of last year, but he played through it and his performance suffered. David Wang is more mobile and suprisingly extremely strong, and Jeff Grimes has had positive reviews. Enough said.
Jaymes Brookes / Sergio Render vs Andrew Miller / Caleb Farris: Although Andrew Miller is clearly the best one out of this guard bunch, I feel like Jaymes Brookes and Sergio Render were a better guard combination.
Ed Wang / Blake DeChrisopther vs Jonathan McGlock / Laurence Gibson: Maybe I'm optimistic, but I like this year's tackles more.
Kam Chancellor / Dorian Porch vs Kyshoen Jarrett / Detrick Bonner: I think Kam was a liability in coverage (sorry bro) and Dorian Porch just didn't have the swag that this year's safeties do.
Roc Carmichael / Stephan Virgil / Jayron Hosley vs Kendall / Brandon Facyson / Kyle Fuller
: Yes, two true freshman, who are extremely talented.
Jake Johnson / Barquell Rivers / Cody Grimm vs Tariq Edwards / Jack Tyler / Josh Trimble: The Deathbacker sets the 2009 squad apart. Jake Johnson was a liability in coverage, but a tackling machine.
Jason Worilds / Nekos Brown vs James Gayle / Dadi / JR Collins: I think Gayle is better than Worilds (who was very good), and JR Collins and Dadi are better than Nekos.
John Graves / Cordarrow Thompson / Demetrius Taylor vs Derickk Hopkins / Luther Maddy: Our two bowling balls in the middle are going to very, very tough to block this year.
Comments
I think I actually agree with every single assessment. The one I'm wavering on most is OT
Logan puts up offense, even when he doesn't have all the moving parts working around him. Can't really find much fault with your piece, but David Wang needs to actually stay on the field for a season, before I'm sold on him.
There's a lot of if's in there....
I checked out the stats from our last game against Alabama, they were much worse than I remember, especially given how close I remember it being (through the first 3 quarters at least). We had 155 yards of total offense all day! Only 64 yards rushing with Ryan Williams on our team!
What killed us in the game against Bama in '09 were mistakes on Special Teams. Yes, the saving grace that got things rolling was the long Kick Return for a TD to flip the game from 6-0 to 6-7 but there were two botched catches deep in our territory that Bama capitalized on. Ryan Williams was playing in his first game I believe, much like Edmunds will be so I think that should be considered a push.
Roc Carmichael / Stephan Virgil / Jayron Hosley vs Kendall / Brandon Facyson / Kyle Fuller: Roc, Virgil and Hosley were all studs, all had 6+ int seasons, and for this game only Hosley wasnt experienced yet. Kendall & Facyson may be very talented, but we've never seen them in a game situation. Everyones excited about Facyson for his recovery speed after missing his coverage, but what about when he faces a talented and experienced WR who he cant recover against? And as much as I love Kyle Fuller, he's probably better suited as a saftey at the next level and doesnt create a lot of turnovers.
Tyrod Taylor vs Logan Thomas: Logan might still have a higher ceiling athletic ceiling, but Tyrod was by far the better college QB. Logan put up better passing yards, but also had 150-200 more attempts per year. Tyrods YPA was better, Tyrod made fewer mistakes and gave a chance on every play to be a huge gain. Logan might be a more consistent runner, but hes not going to win a big game with his feet. Besides, most damning of all, Tyrod had to work with Stinespring as sole OC. And while Logan had to deal with OCain and OCainspring, both were an upgrade of Stiney alone.
No way Fuller, Fascyon, & Fuller (New Law Firm?) are better than Roc, Virgil, & Hosley. Two of them haven't even played a down yet and while those three will probably all end up in the league, and this point, they are not better
I agree. Push, at most.
I agree with that nick name.
i agree with all of them cept i think the 09 team had much more depth
Don't forget Stinespring vs.Loefller
Eat some Turkey
Drink some turkey!
Wang needs to stay out of the backfield. I see him getting pushed into backfield way to much for me to give him an edge over any other lineman. Interesting thoughts and read though. Thank you for sharing.
As long as Wang can stay up and last the whole game.
The problem is that 2013 Bama is better than 2009 Bama.
Our Wang will not surprise anybody this year
This is a sad realization to have, in any situation.
You don't really want your Wang to surprise anyone... In most cases, that's very illegal.
I'm sorry, but with all due respect to LT3; T-Mobile, RMFW, DW...F-k Yea, Boykin-Coale-Roberts, Worilds, Virgil-Hosley-Carmike. Done.