Pre-Preseason Predictions for the Hokies 2008 Football Season

Virginia Tech released its 2008 football schedule and that means it’s time for me to make my annual pre-preseason predictions. Last year, I predicted a 10-2 regular season, which is what the Hokies ended up with. However, I missed two games: I predicted a win against Boston College and loss against Virginia. Other than that, I was pretty much dead on. Don’t believe me? Click here to read last season’s previews.

First, an overview of how I think the Hokies will shape up next season.

(Editors note: vatechhokies50 pointed out that I conveniently left out the QB situation. I was planning on writing a more detailed blog about that later, but I still should have addressed it to some degree here. So, what follows is an addition to the original article.)

Let’s begin with the quarterback situation. We all know that rising r-Sr. Sean Glennon and rising So. Tyrod Taylor will be back. What we do not know is whether there will still be a dual-QB system in place. I have a hard time believing that Glennon will be the starter next season or even split much time. Tyrod is the future of this team and the future is now. Even when the team had four all-conference caliber receivers, Bryan Stinespring didn’t use them and Glennon is supposedly the more traditional pocket passer. So, if you factor in the team is without experienced receivers; has a huge and strong offensive line; and a crowded backfield – that just screams a return to the power running game, which screams for a mobile quarterback, ergo … T-Mobile, a.k.a. Tyrod Taylor.

Let’s face facts … the dual-QB system was fun while it lasted, but sustained success is highly unlikely, especially with a lot of new faces on the offense this season. You can’t have a bunch of newbies learning two sets of offensive game plans, you need to simplify. Running is about as simple as it gets. Center snaps ball. QB hands ball to RB. RB runs with ball. As Peyton Manning said in his United Way commercials … “This ain’t rocket science.”

Tyrod should be the starter next season and Glennon will be a great … well, a very good … backup QB if he’s needed. It is absolutely absurd to think that you wouldn’t have Tyrod on the field as much as possible after the way he played last season. But that’s just my opinion.

Even though the Hokies’ offense loses all four starting wide receivers, they are getting two 4-star WR recruits in Dyrell Roberts (6-2, 190) and D.J. Coles (6-3, 198), although Coles is apparently prepping, but Roberts could possibly have an immediate impact when the arrive. At the very least they will get some serious consideration. Tech expects to have former quarterbacks Ike Whitaker and Cory Holt at the WR slot, but neither has much, if any experience, which makes me wonder if the rookies will be on equal ground come this fall. I should also note that the Hokies signed five 3-star WRs, including Ben Barber, so even though some of those may move to defense eventually, the Hokies should be loaded at the WR spot for the next 3-5 years.

The Hokies will also have two experienced (and big) tight ends in Sam Wheeler and Greg Boone. Both guys have proven they are reliable targets that can make big plays. Wheeler missed the second half of last season with an injury, but Boone stepped in an played very well, effectively exercising the dropsy demons that haunted him earlier in his career.

The backfield will be pretty crowded with returners Branden Ore, Kenny Lewis, Jr., and Jahre Cheeseman. And don’t forget freshman and 4-star recruit Ryan Williams, rated as high as the No. 3 tailback in the country. Williams was told that he would play in his freshman year, so expect him to get a look at RB, but more than likely he will see some time returning kicks in the absence of Eddie Royal. I imagine he will split time with Macho Harris depending on how he does in fall practice.

Ore will be the x-factor in the backfield equation. With any luck, he will get his head screwed on straight (again) and the addition of a highly-touted RB like Ryan Williams will motivate him to get in shape and return to his 2006 form. If that’s the case, we will have an extremely dangerous and deep backfield that will run wild over the ACC in 2008 … if the offensive line can get its act together.

The offensive line … who the hell knows. They add 4-star recruit Vinston Painter (6-6, 315) and as big as he is (and he’s BIG), he will still have a lot to learn when it comes to playing big-time college football. I would prefer to see him sit a season and get into the proper playing shape for the college game. But based on the line’s play last season, he may be pressed into service early.

Honestly, the o-line actually has me a little giddy. They have the potential to be one of the biggest in Hokies history and just looking at this list has me at least a little encouraged – look at the size of these guys!

• Aaron Brown (r-so.) | 6-6, 320 lbs.
• Blake DeChristopher (so.) | 6-5, 303 lbs.
• Nick Marshmann (r-sr.) | 6-5, 357 lbs.
• Vinston Painter (fr.) | 6-6, 315 lbs.
• Sergio Render (jr.) | 6-4, 310 lbs.
• Ed Wang (r-jr.) | 6-5, 312 lbs.
• Beau Warren (r-so.) | 6-3, 275 lbs. (expect his weight to go up)

The starting o-line will most certainly be made up of some combination of these big uglies, who average 313 pounds. If they can’t open holes with their size and strength, it could be a long year for the crowded backfield.

Moving on to the defense; obviously the losses of Xavier Adibi, Vince Hall and Brandon Flowers in the secondary; and Carlton Powell, Kory Robertson, Barry Booker and Chris Ellis up front will hurt next season. But, the good news is that Victor “Macho” Harris decided to come back for his senior year, which means we’ll have at least one shut-down corner. Stephan Virgil, Cris Hill and Rashad Carmichael will compete for the vacant corner position.

As far as the linebackers go, we will have Brett Warren (r-sr.), who filled in nicely for Hall late last season and should do just fine next season. Who will fill the other LB spot remains to be seen, but the returning contenders could be Cody Grimm and Cam Martin, but those guys are more safety/whip linebackers. You may remember that Grimm played outstanding in relief of the injured Martin during the Orange Bowl. Tech does have a slew of incoming talent at the position including a pair of 4-star recruits in Derrick McCoy and Bruce Taylor, who could compete for the other LB spot unless someone else steps up during spring practice.

The defensive line will likely feature Cordarrow Thompson and freshman 4-star recruit Leon Mackey on the inside and Martin and Nekos Brown on the ends. Jason Worilds will likely see a lot of playing time, too. For the most part, I think the defense will be just fine as long as Bud Foster is at the helm.

Now, on with the prediction for the 2008 season:

Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 | East Carolina (Charlotte, N.C.)

Last season, the Hokies struggled in their season-opener against the East Carolina Pirates, 17-7. I don’t see the Hokies having the same tough time in 2008 – Tech rolls in this one and flexes their young offensive muscle in a rout. However, I also think some young guys will get a lot playing time, so while it will be a comfortable win, there will be mistakes and the Pirates will get their points, but the outcome will never be in doubt.

Hokies’ Record: 1-0, 0-0

Saturday, Sep. 6, 2008 | Furman (Blacksburg, Va.)

Furman? Good grief … do I even need to say anything? More playing time for the young guys, which will be good, but this game will be a laugher from the start. I hope it’s worth the paycheck Furman!

Hokies’ Record: 2-0, 0-0

Saturday, Sep. 13, 2008 | Georgia Tech (Blacksburg, Va.)

Here comes Paul Johnson and the triple-option of the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech. I actually think this type of offense will present some serious problems for Bud Foster and his young defense … and Johnson knows it. I hope Bud is getting some Navy game tape and is watching it on a loop from now until this game. The good news is that the Jackets are transitioning to a new offense which means there will be bumps and bruises along the way – hopefully a lot more bruises after they leave the ‘Burg on Sept. 13. Tech wins this one, but it won’t be easy and the triple-option will give the Hokies fits. The offense, I can’t believe I’m saying this, will power this win even though GT has that giraffe on defense that blocked our kick last season.

Hokies’ Record: 3-0, 1-0

Saturday, Sep. 20, 2008 | at North Carolina (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

UNC took some steps forward last season, but they are still behind the upper echelon of the ACC. Last season the Tar Heels gave Tech a tough game (17-10) and I expect another hard-fought contest in ‘08. But, I think the Hokies will win this one by at least 10 points.

Hokies’ Record: 4-0, 2-0

Saturday, Sep. 27, 2008 | at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb. )

Hot diggity! This is the game we’ve all been waiting for! On the road against the storied Cornhuskers. Sure they’ve been down the last few years since they fired Frank Solich after a 9-3 season. Since then, they’ve fired their AD and their coach and are starting over. It’s hard to say what the Huskers will look like next season, but if you were ever going to play them on the road, now is the time to do it. A new offense, a new coach and a new AD – that’s a lot of change for one program to endure. Recruiting has drastically tailed off for the Nebraska program since Solich left and I think Tech goes into Lincoln and wins with surprising ease.

Hokies’ Record: 5-0, 2-0

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 | Western Kentucky (Blacksburg, Va. )

Western Kentucky? Don’t they have that really weird looking red mascot? What is that thing? Hopefully it won’t distract our players as they beat the big crap out of the Big Red.

Hokies’ Record: 6-0, 2-0

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 | at Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Mass. )

Hey Coach Jabberwocky! We’re coming for you, you pompous jerk. We weren’t satisfied with kicking your ass in the ACC Championship Game in ‘07 because that was on a neutral field. We want blood and we want it in your house and on your field … and we’re going to get it.

Hokies’ Record: 7-0, 3-0

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 | at Florida State (Tallahassee, Fla. )

OK, here’s where we get to tricky part of the schedule. Initially when I looked at this schedule, I thought there was a very good chance we could go undefeated, especially considering the decline of the FSU and Miami programs. I think FSU is always tough to beat in their house, but I think the Hokies have a real shot at winning this game. FSU’s QBs struggled all last season and Tech absolutely crushed the Noles in Blacksburg in ‘07 (40-21). Frank Beamer broke the FSU curse and now begins an era of Hokie dominance in this series. Hokies win a nail-biter.

Hokies Record: 8-0, 4-0

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 | Maryland (Blacksburg, Va. )

1) It’s a Thursday night ESPN game. 2) We’re not playing Boston College (which owns us on Thursday nights). 3) We win. Look, Maryland showed some signs of life last season, but I don’t think they’ll have enough in the tank, or on the sideline, to beat the Hokies in Lane Stadium. Rack up another win for the Hokies.

Hokies’ Record: 9-0, 5-0

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 | at Miami (Miami Gardens, Fla. )

Another Thursday night ESPN game against a team other than BC equals a Hokie win. Miami is in a downward spiral. It’s as bad as I’ve ever seen in a major football program and it doesn’t appear they’ll be pulling out of it any time soon. They had a terrible season in 2007 and I think 2008 will feature a repeat performance. The Canes showed no fight in ‘07; not even in their own house … which of course, is no longer their house. Hokies continue to dominate this rivalry, a term I use loosely since it has been so one-side that last 10 years or so.

Hokies’ Record: 10-0, 6-0

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 | Duke (Blacksburg, Va. )

It’s Duke. It’s at home. Enough said, people. This needs no explanation.

Hokies’ Record: 11-0, 7-0

Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 | Virginia (Blacksburg, Va.)

I thought Miami was a program in turmoil; the Cavaliers are free falling as of this article. They lost four players, including two-year starting QB Jameel Sewell, to academic suspensions. They lost Chris Long to the NFL; Defensive Coordinator Mike London bolted for the head coaching job at Richmond; and the team blew a big lead in the final three minutes against Texas Tech in their bowl game – a crushing and demoralizing loss. Oh, add to all that the fact they only signed three recruits from Virginia compared to 21 for Tech. Groh may be the ACC coach of the year, but his party is already over and I guarantee his job will be back on the line by the end of the 2008 season. Hokies lay the lumber to the Hoos.

Hokies’ Record: 12-0, 8-0

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2008 | ACC Championship Game

The Hokies will in all likelihood face the Clemson Tigers in the 2008 ACCCG. The Tigers scored one of the top recruiting classes in the country earlier this week and they will be a very tough team, but one I think the Hokies can handle, especially now that the offense is firing on all cylinders and the defense has found its rhythm. Hokies win their third ACC title in five years and are going to the National Championship game!

For the record, this is not a flowery, homer set of predictions. Last year I predicted two losses and I was right. This year, I honestly think Virginia Tech has the potential to go undefeated and play for the national title. What do you think?