College Football Futures: There is no escaping the fact that the Virginia Tech Hokies have slipped a notch the past two seasons after making the 2010 and 2011 ACC Championship Games and posting double digit win seasons from 2004 through 2011 as they went 7-6 in 2012 and 8-5 last year and with just four wins against the spread in each of the last three seasons. The Hokies demise on the field and at the betting board is because of an offense that has become downright offensive for its ineptitude and its inability to compliment the notoriously consistent Hokies defense. There are reasons to believe that the worst is over and that head coach Frank Beamer will have a successful 28th season that may include a return to the ACC Championship Game. The Hokies opened at BetDSI with an over under win total of eight -110 over and -110 under and was a +9000 choice to win the BCS national championship.
Experienced Lineup
The Hokies return 54 lettermen with just 18 lettermen departing from last year’s team. A total of nine starters return on offense and, just as important, QB Logan Thomas does not. Thomas struggled at the position and was a point of frustration with fans and gamblers. Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer, a junior, is expected to take over at QB. Top RB Trey Edmonds and the top three receivers return as do four out of five starters from the offensive line. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster is renowned as one of the best and should usher in six new starters without much trouble.
Handicapper’s Notes
In the past three seasons the Hokies have been one of the worst bets on the board with against the spread marks of 4-9-1 in 2011, 4-9 in 2012, and 4-8-1 in 2013. They have been a dangerous long term dog with a mark of 11-6 against the spread.
Our Prognosis
The Hokies get a very favorable schedule for 2014 which makes them a bona fide contender in the Coastal Division with fellow Coastal contenders Duke, Miami, and North Carolina. While many are beginning to doubt Beamer and question if they game has passed him bye we are still believers in the Hokies legend and will call for Tech to soar over the eight win total and win the Coast Division.
