#15 Virginia Tech Hokies

Arguably the most consistent Football program in America over the past 2 decades, the Virginia Tech Hokies enter 2010 searching for their 18th consecutive Bowl Bid, which is amongst the longest streaks in the nation. But since Bowl Bids have become common-place in Blacksburg, this years Tech team is searching for something more along the lines of a conference championship and BCS Bowl Game, with an outside shot at a National Championship… something that has eluded Frank Beamer during his otherwise Hall-of-Fame coaching career.

Beamer has much to be excited about on offense, as 8 starters return. That group will be highlighted by 4th year starting QB Tyrod Taylor, aka “T-Mobile” (a nickname given for his pension for scrambling). Taylor split playing time in his first 2 seasons with Sean Glennon and now will enter his 2nd full season as the #1 QB. The expectations for a Hokie QB haven’t been this high since 2000 (Michael Vick’s 3rd year). After throwing for 2,300 yards in 2009, Taylor hopes to improve on his completion percentage which was a humbling 56%. Better Offensive Line play should give him more time to make better decisions, which should lead to a percentage above 60%.

Joining Taylor in the backfield will be a combination that will challenge Alabama as the best Backfield duo in America. Last year’s starter, Ryan Williams set over 15 ACC freshman records in route to a 1,655 yard, 21 TD season. V Tech would be sitting pretty even if he was the only RB returning. But, the Hokies will get a huge boost from the return of 2008 ACC Offensive Freshman All-American Darren Evans. Evans tore his ACL in fall camp last year and missed the season, but in 2008, he rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 TDs, including a whopping 253 yards against the Maryland Terrapins. With both players averaging about 13 carries per game, this Hokie backfield will very much resemble the 2004 Auburn Tigers (Cadillac Williams & Ronnie Brown) in both talent and production.

The WR position has let the Hokies down in the past 2 season, but finally they will bring back some experience. The top 3 pass-catchers from last years team return. That trio consists of Jarrett Boykin (853 yards), Danny Coale (614 yards), and Dyrelle Roberts (390 yards). While none of these guys possesses elite talent, as a group they should be one of the best units in the ACC.

For most teams, only returning 4 starters on Defense would be scary. But for the Hokies, the defense is truly simply an extension of its coach. Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster enters his 14th year at the helm and his defenses have been giving Hokie opponents headaches for that entire tenure. He will be coaching a young, inexperienced bunch, but each position has at least one veteran leader that has the potential to whip his counterparts into shape. DT John Graves, LB Barquell Rivers, and CB Rashad Carmichael will be tasked with supplying leadership and wisdom to this years young crew.

In past years, the schedule has worked against the Hokies, but finally, they get a slate that is more than manageable. After opening the season in a showdown with projected Top 5 Boise State, the Hokies will be favored in 7 consecutive games, leading me to think they will start the season 8-0. They then hit a stretch that can either catapult them to BCS Title contention or knock them down to Chick-Fil-A Bowl relegation. That stretch (3 consecutive November weeks) includes a home contest against Georgia Tech and then back-to-back road trips to North Carolina and Miami.

Virginia Tech’s only 3 losses in 2009 were to teams ranked in the Top 14 (including a loss to eventual National Champion Alabama). With that in mind, it is no surprise that many Hokie fans have already booked their tickets to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC (site of the 2010 ACC Championship game).

Key Returning Players:
QB Tyrod Taylor
RB Ryan Williams
RB Darren Evans
WR Danny Coale
DT John Graves
LB Barquell Rivers
CB Rashad Carmichael

Key Games:
Sept 6 - Boise State (in Washington, DC)
Sept 25 - @ Boston College
Oct 16 - Wake Forest
Nov 4 - Georgia Tech
Nov 13 - @ North Carolina
Nov 20 - @ Miami