2011 Virginia Tech Hokies Football Preview

Frank Beamer has developed a reputation as one of the nation’s best head coaches. That reputation was put to the test early last season as the Hokies lost the biggest game of the opening weekend of the season to Boise State and followed it up with an embarrassing loss to FCS James Madison. With their season seemingly in the tank after just two weeks, the Hokies did what Beamer-coaches Hokie teams do. They got back to physical, smash-mouth football, solid defense, and excellent special teams play. The result was an eleven game win streak that propelled them to another conference title an Orange Bowl matchup with Stanford. Beamer made some coaching staff changes in the offseason in the hopes of generating more offense and if they pay off, the Hokies will be the odds on favorite to win the ACC yet again.

Tyrod Taylor has been the face of the Virginia Tech offense for four years, and now he must be replaced. Still, the coaching staff is excited, almost giddy, about the potential of Logan Thomas. Thomas is an enormous physical specimen. At 6’5, 245 pounds, Thomas automatically draws comparisons to last season’s physical freak at quarterback – Cam Newton. Thomas likely won’t be Newton as a sophomore, but, his size and arm strength will allow new offensive coordinator Mike O’Cain to build plays into the offense that highlight his size and strength as a runner. Taylor was a fantastic passer by the end of his career, but if Thomas can just be an adequate passer and avoid crippling turnovers, the Hokies offense won’t struggle in 2011.

Thomas will be surrounded by a pretty talented cast on offense. After splitting carries in 2010, David Wilson is set to be the central ball-carrier and he is an electric runner. Depth behind Wilson, however, is rather suspect. The Hokies return their top five receivers from last season lead by Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. The two combined for over 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns receiving in 2010. The Hokies’ offense will rely more on three receiver sets, and that means more playing time for Marcus Davis as well. Four returning starters along the offensive line are back, and that means Thomas will have a reliable line to play behind as he grows into the offense.

Defense, the calling card of the Hokies over the years, has some questions to answer. Only five starters are back from last year’s unit that started slow, but finished as the conference’s best unit. Just one starter returns on the defensive line, but, there’s a feeling that new blood might be just what is needed. The Hokies were uncharacteristically poor against the run and by turning to talented but untested redshirt freshmen at defensive end and defensive tackle; they hope to see improvement with youth. If they don’t, it could be another long year of teams lining up and running directly at the defense with success a la Boise State and Stanford last season.

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The real strength of the defense is in the back seven. Nick Dew and Bruce Taylor anchor a talented and quick linebacking corps. Barquell Rivers missed all of 2010 with an injury but is back and provides depth as well. Tariq Edwards steps in at outside linebacker after seeing spot duty last season. Overall this is a very talented unit. The secondary welcomes back one of the nation’s best cover corners in Jayron Holsey. Holsey was fantastic in 2010, intercepting nine passes. He’s joined by Eddie Whitley, a multiple year starter at safety. This back seven is as good as Beamer’s had and will be counted on to help cover a green defensive line. We would also be remiss to not mention special teams. Holsey averaged 12 yards per punt return and returned one for a touchdown. Wilson averaged 26 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns.

The schedule is much easier than in 2010. The Hokies should start 4-0 with relatively easy games out of conference before opening conference play with Clemson and Miami in back to back weeks. They also get North Carolina at home. Road trips to Wake Forest, Duke, Georgia Tech, and rival Virginia shouldn’t be too difficult, and avoiding Florida State in the regular season gives the Hokies an outside shot at posting an undefeated regular season.