2008 Virginia Tech Football


July 18, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Frank Beamer has 21 years of coaching experience at Virginia Tech and he’s coming off another ACC championship.  But his defense lost seven starters which will be tough to replace.  The Hokies still have plenty of speed on this side of the ball and one of the best corners in the country in Victor Harris to try and follow the footsteps of last year’s defense, which ranked 4th in the nation in total yards allowed per game.  One of the nation’s best defensive coordinators in Bud Foster will get the most out of this unit once again.  Let’s see how far the defense can carry the team with Info Plays 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football predictions below.

Offense:

The Hokies have suffered through graduation hits at wide receiver and they waved goodbye to their leading rusher in the spring.  Brandon Ore was booted from the program in March when the coaching staff wearied of his off-field issues.  Four quality receivers have graduated from last year’s team, and left tackle Duane Brown, the team’s top lineman in 2007, is gone.  This offense must find a way to move the ball to prop up a less-experienced defense.  Playing in the weak ACC Coastal Division should help matters.

The Hokies have plenty of experience at quarterback with senior Sean Glennon and sophomore Tyrod Taylor.  These two studs could split time again as they did during a successful November run.  Glennon is the better passer, while Taylor is a feared running threat.  Junior Brandon Dillard made big strides in the spring to become the team’s No. 1 option at receiver.  His 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash was brilliant and he caught the ball more consistently.  Ike Whitaker, a converted quarterback, made dazzling catches in the spring.  Two competent tight ends in Sam Wheeler and Greg Boone will also be solid targets for Glennon and Taylor.  The tailback position looks to be manned by a freshman with either Darren Evans or Josh Oglesby as the starter.

Defense:

The Hokies enter 2008 with no returning starters at defensive tackle or inside linebacker, leaving holes to fill in the middle.  The coaching staff is high on junior Cordarrow Thompson to become a run-stuffer at defensive tackle.  He dropped some of the 334 lbs. he carry last year and became and impact player in the spring.  Brett Warren will be a capable replacement for Vince Hall at linebacker.  Parnell Sturdivant has been a consistent performer on special teams, and will be asked to man another linebacker spot.  Even if Warren and Sturdivant play well, there will clearly be a significant drop off from last year’s corps.

The secondary is much more settled, thanks to the last-minute return of cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris.  He nearly followed fellow corner Brandon Flowers into the NFL.  Harris will inherit Flowers’ boundary corner spot.  Junior Kam Chancellor is a ferocious hitter as he moves over from rover to free safety.  Chancellor has the build and athletic skills to play Sundays.

Virginia Tech Hokies Predictions at Info Plays:  1st in the ACC Coastal Division

The Hokies are inexperienced in several key spots and play most of their toughest games on the road.  Frank Beamer’s teams generally are at their best when expectations are low.  But a fifth straight 10-win season appears to be a long shot.  Tech still has a good shot to win the Coastal Division and play for another ACC title.  A weak Coastal Division will be their friend.

ACC Wins Expected in ’08:  GEORGIA TECH, at North Carolina, at Boston College, MARYLAND, DUKE, VIRGINIA

Potential Scares/Losses:  at Florida State , at Miami

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