Virginia Tech Hokies: ACC Coastal preview
The Hokies' offense averaged 440 yards and 31 points per game in 2020. Their run game was surprisingly one of the best in the ACC.
Seven starters are returning and they have a good transfer portal. RB Khalil Herbert will be hard to replace and QB Hendon Hooker will be replaced by Braxton Burmeister. The former Oregon transfer is a strong passer with a decent group of receivers.
The OL is still being tweaked and may have issues. The defense will take advantage of their transfer portal to repackage the middle of their unit. They have a strong pass rush but have lost some quality playmakers.
Trending
2021-2022 ACC Coastal preview: Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech's strength: Former Rutgers RB Raheem Blackshear is a Swiss army knife in the backfield and had 255 yards for two TDs. He only averaged 3.75 yards/carry, though. Jalen Holston is poised for a big year as the speed guy. Paired together, these two could still give VT a great run game.
Virginia Tech's weakness: The secondary had to fair without CB Caleb Farley last year and are now without star safety Divine Deablo. The roster has enough talent to help the safeties, but the cornerbacks need to do more with all the depth they have.
Virginia Tech Key Players: Offense
QB: Braxton Burmeister - He lost his job in Oregon to Justin Herbert, sat out the 2019 season and saw little field time in 2020. Burmeister was great in the finale against Virginia, but he'll have to play even better to warrant being the full-time starter.
RB: Raheem Blackshear - With the backfield open for him to be the starter, he will have to improve his yards per carry. He averaged 6.1/carry as a freshman at Rutgers. That's the type of player VT needs out of Blackshear.
Virginia Tech Key Players: Defense
DE: Amare Barno - Barno's shift from LB to DE has turned his career around. He had a team-high 6.5 sacks and 16 TFLs with 43 tackles. The team loves that he is a hybrid who can operate all over the field.
S: Tae Daley - Daley won't replace Devine Deablo as a playmaker, but racks up the tackles and stats. He didn't play in 2020 but put up 57 tackles with three INTs in 2019.
2021-2022 Virginia Tech Hokies ACC prediction (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
Week 1: Friday, September 3, vs UNC
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs Middle Tennessee
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, at West VIrginia
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, vs Richmond
Week 5: Saturday, October 9, vs Notre Dame
Week 6: Saturday, October 16, vs Pittsburgh
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs Syracuse
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Georgia Tech
Week 9: Friday, November 5, at Boston College
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, vs Duke
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, at Miami
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Virginia
2021-2022 Virginia Tech Hokies prediction (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
Virginia Tech has the chance to churn out a good season, but they face UNC and WVU early on. They could pull off a win here or there with tough losses in between. At the very least, they won't be the worst team in the ACC Coastal.
Georgia Bulldogs Fan? Check out the latest Georgia Bulldogs depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place!
