ACC Preview: Virginia Tech

Beamer ball.

Everyone knows the term, right?

That brand of football that is tied to Virginia Tech. Hard-nosed defense, exceptional special teams. That style of play has been missing the last two years in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The Hokies have not lived up to the standards of their past success, posting an 8-5 record in 2013 and 7-6 the year before that.

However, every program endures a flat tire every once in awhile so to speak. It’s all about fixing it.

This year’s version of the Hokies has one thing going for them.

Their schedule.

Outside of their road game at Ohio State on September 6, the schedule favors the Hokies.

In conference, Virginia Tech avoids Florida State, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Louisville while hosting rivals Virginia and Miami at home. A trip to Charlotte is a very attainable goal.

Virginia Tech returns thirteen starters, eight on offense and only five on defense.

Quarterback Logan Thomas is gone, which may not be bad news for Tech fans.

There are still question marks surrounding who will replace Thomas next season. Redshirt senior Mark Leal waited four years for the opportunity to start but struggled in last year’s Sun Bowl, throwing for only 130 yards and two interceptions. Former Texas Tech quarterback Micheal Brewer transferred and has an opportunity as well to make an impact for the Hokies, if chosen by Beamer.

Virginia Tech’s defense could be the reason the Hokies make it to Charlotte this upcoming season. The secondary could rival Florida State as the best in the conference and many believe both are the two best in the country.

Sophomore Kendall Fuller followed his brother’s footsteps to V-Tech and had a great freshman campaign. Fuller was the ACC defensive rookie of the year and earned a spot on the second team All-ACC team. Fuller is on the Thorpe watch list, the Bednarik Award watch list and Nagurski Trophy watch list heading into his second season in Blacksburg.

Fuller is joined by fellow sophomore corner Brandon Facyson who grabbed five interceptions his freshman season and is looking to build upon that. Safeties Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner bring loads of experience and toughness to the unit. Tech returns 15 of the 17 interceptions that were made by defensive backs. Not too shabby.

However, Virginia Tech will have to find answers on offense this season, especially at running back. According to ESPN stats, against FBS teams, Tech averaged only 2.98 yards per carry. The teams that had a worse average, had a combined record of 18-79.

If Frank Beamer can find consistency in the backfield, the Hokies might be able to squeeze out 10 wins and clinch a birth in the ACC championship game.

2014 Biletnikoff Award Watch List
2014 Biletnikoff Award Watch List