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2007 Virginia Tech Football Preview |
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Written by Shamus Williams
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Monday, 27 August 2007 |
You’ve read the offensive and defensive
previews, but you are probably wondering what all of that will add up
to when the Hokies step onto the field in less than a week. Well,
I’m here to tell you Hokies fans that you should be very happy this
season, as Tech returns a lot of talent off a pretty good team last
year.
STRENGTHS
The Hokies main strength is going to be their
defense again this year. The Hokies have been the number one
rated defense in the country for the past two years, and should be even
better this year. The Hokies will have to be excellent
defensively this year, if they expect to win a lot of games, because
their offense is not very explosive. Speaking of the offense,
Branden Ore will definitely be a strength for this team. Ore is
one of the best running backs in the ACC and will need to improve on
his numbers from last year for the Hokies to help out the
defense. Ore ran for nearly 1200 yards while playing behind a bad
offensive line and missing two games with an ankle injury.
Special teams should also be a strength for the Hokies. Eddie
Royal should become one of the most dynamic returners in the country
with the new kickoff rules (college moved the kickoff back to the
30-yard line). Also, Brett Bowden will be a great punter and
should help the Hokies in the field position game.
WEAKNESSES
Last year, the Hokies had one of the most reliable
kickers in the country, in the form of Brandon Pace.
Unfortunately, students and fans never appreciated Pace enough while he
was here, but the Hokies will be missing him dearly this year. He
graduated and is kicking for the Broncos in the NFL, while Tech is
going to try Jud Dunleavy as their kicker. Results have been very
unimpressive thus far this fall, but Frank Beamer has confidence in
him, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Dunleavy has a
better leg than Pace, but he is not as automatic as Pace was. The
Hokies need to have a good kicking game, because they need to score
every chance they have. The passing game of the Hokies is a
weakness at this point, but I feel it will become a strength by
season’s end. Sean Glennon struggled mightily last year, so he
needs to get better in a hurry. If Glennon can manage the game,
then the Hokies should be fine on offense.
OVERALL PREDICTION
The Hokies have a lot to play for this year.
They have a bunch of five-year seniors who will be trying to live up to
expectations and high rankings for the third year in a row. They
have a quarterback who won ten games, but was continually ridiculed and
booed by fans all year long. And, they will be playing for the 32
lives that were tragically lost in the shootings of April 16th.
The Hokies need to use that as motivation, but they cannot allow their
emotions to get the best of them come game day. As always, Lane
Stadium will be an incredibly tough place to play. I see the
Hokies running the table at home, including impressive wins against
Miami, Florida State, and Boston College. Tech has also played
great on the road during their time in the ACC (losing only once in
three years), but they have a tough road schedule this year with games
against LSU, Georgia Tech, and Clemson. I think the Hokies will
drop two games on the road, to LSU and Georgia Tech to finish 10-2 in
the regular season. That record will be good enough to get the
Hokies to Jacksonville for the ACC Championship. There, they will
meet Atlantic Division winner Florida State in a rematch of an earlier
contest. Tech will prevail in that contest for their second ACC
Championship in four years. The Hokies will meet Wisconsin in the
Orange Bowl, prevailing in a close, defensive contest, to finish the
season 12-2, and a national ranking of number four.
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