Virginia Tech Hokies 2010 NCAAF Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: Head football coach Frank Beamer has built a perennial powerhouse in Blacksburg, Virginia. Call it a Mongolian Reversal, instead of depending upon on their defense and special teams while hoping the offense won’t mess up and cost them the game, Virginia Tech will unleash a high-octane offense that, at least to begin the 2010 campaign, might have to carry the load until the defense and kicking game catch up. After losing 8 starters, “That defensive staff is going to have to do some hard coaching,” says Tech coach Frank Beamer. Beamer knows that the talent is there even if the experience isn’t. The Hokies start by facing Boise State Sept. 6 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland and if they have any legitimate national championship hopes, they’ll have to beat the Broncos, not an easy task as they have 22 returning starters. Vegas odds makers have the Virginia Tech Hokies +1700 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
Offensively Virginia Tech is led by senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor who enters his third season as the starter. If Taylor stuggles, look for redshirt freshman Logan Thomas at 6’6″ and 238 pounds to push for playing time. Ryan Williams, who ran for a school-record 1,655 yards last season and junior Darren Evans, who in 2008 ran for 1,265 yards, then an ACC freshman record will headline a talented backfield. The three top receivers are all juniors with experience and saw significant action the past two seasons: Dyrell Roberts, Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale. The left side of the offensive line is a worry with veterans Sergio Render and Ed Wang now in the NFL. The odds makers at SBG Global have the Virginia Tech Hokies +300 odds to win the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Defensively they are inexperienced, but it’s talented. The coaching staff says this defense is potentially the fastest it’s had in the last 15 years. The defensive backfield returns top cover man in cornerback Rashad Carmichael and Davon Morgan at the rover position, but starts talented Eddie Whitley as the new free saftey. The odds makers at BetUS have the Virginia Tech Hokies middle number listed at over/under 9 wins for the 2010 NCAAF regular season.
As for the kicking unit, Coach Frank Beamer has to find a replacement an All-ACC kicker (Matt Waldron) and punter (Brent Bowden). Two players with no game experience to speak of, seniors Chris Hazley and Brian Saunders, will have major jobs to do. If the Hokies can win against Boise State, look for a run at the BCS National Championship. I predict a loss and another 10-2 season. Sorry Frank!
2010 Virginia Tech Hokies Football Schedule
Mon, Sept 6 vs #3 Boise State* 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Sept 11 vs James Madison 1:30 PM ET
Sat, Sept 18 vs East Carolina 1:30 PM ET
Sat, Sept 25 @ Boston College TBD
Sat, Oct 2 @ North Carolina State TBD
Sat, Oct 9 vs Central Michigan 1:30 PM ET
Sat, Oct 16 vs Wake Forest TBD
Sat, Oct 23 vs Duke TBD
Thu, Nov 4 vs #16 Georgia Tech 7:30 PM ET
Sat, Nov 13 @ #18 North Carolina TBD
Sat, Nov 20 @ #13 Miami (FL) TBD
Sat, Nov 27 vs Virginia TBD
* Game played at neutral location.