Pop quiz, hot shot. There was one team in America last year to beat Ohio State - Can you name it?
That team was the Virginia Tech Hokies, and that win was the reason that they made it to a bowl game.
Frank Beamer won't ever be fired, but if this is a season is played out without a bowl game invite, the big shots in Blacksburg could politely ask him to step down.
2015 SCHEDULE
9/7: vs. Ohio State
9/12: vs. Furman
9/19: @ Purdue
9/26: @ Virginia Tech
10/3: vs. Pittsburgh
10/9: vs. NC State
10/17: @ Miami
10/24: vs. Duke
10/31: @ Boston College
11/12: @ Georgia Tech
11/21: vs. North Carolina
11/28: @ Virginia
Think that opening game against Ohio State might mean a little something to the Buckeyes? That's going to be the beginning of a really tough schedule for Virginia Tech this year. Even that game against Furman might not be the easiest in the world, especially since it is going to be played just five days after playing the defending national champs.
This schedule with six road games and a home game against Ohio State is really, really tough.
SEASON WIN TOTAL
Asking the Hokies to get beyond their season win total of eight wins is a tall task considering the fact that they’re just 19-17 against FBS teams over the course of the last three seasons.
However, it's a plausible task, too. There probably isn't a game on this docket in which V-Tech will be bigger than a two touchdown underdog, though there isn't a game except for the one against Furman in which it will be a two touchdown favorite either in all likelihood.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
The love for the Hokies comes from the fact that they have nine returning starters from last year's offense. Still, we question whether those nine returners are really worth all that much.
Virginia Tech ranked No. 100 in America in total offense last year at 365.3 yards per game, and there wasn't a single game last season in which the team scored more than 35 points ( which ironically came against Ohio State ).
Michael Brewer only averaged 6.1 yards per pass attempt last season, though he did put the rock in the air 441 times in the team's 13 games.
Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips both had really good seasons last year as freshmen, combining for 96 catches and over 1,200 yards. Now, these two men are sophomores, and they could end up being crucial to this offense.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
The Hokies allowed just 20.2 points per game last season, one of the best marks in the ACC. Nine starters are back once again, led by Kendall Fuller and Dadi Nicolas, both of which could have their eyes on the NFL after this season is over with.
Because the ACC isn't really all that great offensively, the great numbers could continue for Virginia Tech. Bud Adams is one of the best defensive minds in the sport, and he is going to take over for Beamer when he steps down in Blacksburg. Adams can get this defense over the hump for sure, especially with so many starters back.
SEASON PREDICTION
The Hokies are bringing back a lot of players, but bringing back that many men from an average team might not be all that effective.
This schedule is tougher than it was last year, and Ohio State, even for that first game of the season, won't be coming to Blacksburg with anything but revenge on the mind.
Eight wins is the ceiling for the Hokies as we see it, but if we had to guess, they'll end up on the low side of that. Saying that this team has the same odds as Georgia Tech to win the ACC ( +525 ) and similar odds to win the National Championship ( +15000 ) doesn't seem fair to the Yellow Jackets. G-Tech is by far the better bet in the ACC Coastal Division.
BookMaker will put out the first point spreads for all of the college football games this season. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on your television with BookMaker's live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today!
