2008 Virginia Tech Hokies Football Preview

2007 Virginia Tech Record: (11-3, 7-1 ACC)

2007 Bowl: Orange Bowl vs. Kansas (L 21-24)

Virginia Tech Head Coach: Frank Beamer (167-85-2 at Virginia Tech, 209-108-4 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: Bryan Stinespring

Defensive Coordinator: Bud Foster

Returning Leaders for the Hokies:

• Rushing: Tyrod Taylor, QB, 429 yards
• Passing: Sean Glennon, QB, 1,796 yards
• Receiving: Sam Wheeler, TE, 211 yards
• Tackles: Kam Chancellor, S, 79
• Sacks: Orion Martin, DE, 6.5
• Interceptions: Victor Harris, CB, 5

Other Key Returnees: TE Greg Boone, G Nick Marshman, LB Cam Martin, G Sergio Render, C Ryan Shuman, OT Ed Wang

Key Losses: LB Xavier Adibi, DT Barry Booker, OT Duane Brown, DE Chris Ellis, CB Brandon Flowers, LB Vince Hall, WR Justin Harper, WR Josh Morgan, RB Branden Ore, CB D.J. Parker, DT Carlton Powell, WR Eddie Royal

Virginia Tech and Coach Frank Beamer pride themselves on good defense. And their continuing success this season will depend on the defense replacing a ton of talent. On the line the Hokies lost Barry Booker, Carlton Powell and Chris Ellis. The linebackers lost Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall and the secondary will have to do without Brandon Flowers and D.J. Parker. Even with a system that continually builds great defenses, that is a heck of a lot of talented players to replace.

Virginia Tech's Strengths:

The best news for VT is on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor split some time last season and could do so again this year. Glennon has the better arm, but Taylor can create with his feet. Between the two of them they are a pretty solid, all-around quarterback. Glennon will be the starter and the coaching staff has to decide if they want to use Taylor in the same capacity they did last season. The line returns four starters and that will keep the offense rolling. Tackle Ed Wang, center Ryan Shuman and guards Nick Marshman and Sergio Render were not the most dominating group in the conference last year, but the year of experience should help. And there is plenty of talent available to take the other starting tackle job, most notably heralded redshirt freshman Blake DeChristopher.

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Virginia Tech's Weaknesses:

The quarterback situation and the lines are in good hands, but the rest of the offense needs some help. Running back Branden Ore is gone and that means a freshman will likely take over the job. Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby are the top candidates, but true freshman Ryan Williams will compete for carries if the two redshirt freshmen should falter. However, the Hokies do have a couple juniors who are capable runners if they can stay healthy. Kenny Lewis and Jahre Cheeseman were both hurt during the spring and could miss some of the season. Most of the passes Glennon or Taylor threw went to Justin Harper, Josh Morgan or Eddie Royal. That trio is now gone and Virginia Tech will have to depend on far less experienced wideouts this year. The situation has gotten so dire that cornerback Victor Harris has spent some time at receiver during the spring.

The Bottom Line for the Hokies:

It is not like the Hokies are lacking in talent on the defensive side of things. It is just now is the time for many perennial backups and top recruits to step up and show that they can be consistent starters. Certainly players like defensive end Jason Worilds and linebackers Brett Warren and Cody Grimm can become just as good as the players they are replacing, but how long will that take? The Hokies do not have the luxury of spending a lot of time filling the holes if they want another ACC title.

2007 Virginia Tech Hokies Team Stats:

Rushing Offense: 133.64 (82nd in nation, 7th in conference)

Passing Offense: 196.86 (85, 9)

Total Offense: 330.50 (100, 8)

Scoring Offense: 28.71 (53, 2)

Rushing Defense: 86.64 (5, 2)

Pass Defense: 210.29 (31, 4)

Total Defense: 296.93 (4, 1)

Scoring Defense: 16.07 (3, 1)

Turnover Margin: .79 (14, 2)

Sacks: 3.36 (5, 2)

Sacks Allowed: 3.86 (115, 12)

By Joel Welser
CollegeSports-fans.com Senior Guest Writer

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