College Football Predictions – Virginia Tech Hokies 2019 College Football Preview
2018 Recap
Record – 6-7
ATS – 6-7
All good things must come to an end.
Virginia Tech started a serious slide late in the year losing four consecutive ACC battles but they kept fighting and defeated Virginia (!) and Marshall to end the regular season. The Hokies fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Military Bowl and that marked the first losing season for the program since 1992 (!). That is pretty incredible when you think about it.
The honeymoon is over for HC Justin Fuente who is entering his fourth season in Blacksburg. Does this team have what it takes to challenge for a division crown?
2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Coastal Division – #2
ACC – #3
Virginia Tech Hokies 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Hokies have been pretty good on offense under the watch of Justin Fuente as they have averaged 400+ YPG each of the past three years. There has also been some nice balance to the attack and things should go smoothly once again. QB Ryan Willis is just a junior and a solid option to have at QB. Willis is coming off a campaign in which he threw for over 2,700 yards with a 24-9 TD to INT ratio whilst providing enough mobility to make the defense worry (354, 4 TD). Leading rusher Steven Peoples departs but the depth remaining is more than adequate for the Hokies to rotate through the group and produce acceptable rushing numbers (174 YPG LY). Damon Hazelton is a legit #1 WR (802, 15.7, 8 TD LY) and again, there is enough depth in the unit to keep opposing DCs up at night. Our primary concern is an offensive line that returns just a pair of starters to the mix. Their performance has been ‘ok’ the past couple of seasons but they probably need to take a step forward as a group if Virginia Tech is to challenge for the division title. It would be helpful if Coastal Carolina transfer Brock Hoffman is granted eligibility (appeal to come).
This offense should be able to score 30+ PPG (29.8) and be dangerous enough to keep them in every game.
DEFENSE
Finding MIKE TYSON’S TIGER in your bathroom is a surprise. Watching Bud Foster’s defense allow more than 400 points is a REAL surprise (403).
The Hokies dealt with injuries and fielded a very young stop unit a season ago but they should be a lot better this season. Ten starters are back and all three levels of the defense look good. The run defense was ripped apart in 2018 (210 YPG rushing, #12 ACC, 492 vs Pitt) but the DL and LB units return essentially intact and add a pair of JC transfers at DT. The secondary has a full complement of returning starters and will make it at least most of the way back towards Hokie standards. Check this out, yo. Last season was the first time since 2010 (!) that the Hokies had allowed more than 50.1% completions (!). Right!? Mystify your USELESS BOSS with that trivia bomb during your next performance review.
We project a TD+ improvement in PPG allowed in 2019 (31.0 LY).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Hokies fielded a decent unit last year and all the key components return for duty. We would like to see PK Brian Johnson pull his socks up a bit as he was just 3/9 on FGs from 40+.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There is good news and bad news. Missing Clemson, Florida St, and NC State from the Atlantic division is nice. It’s not so great having to face Miami and Virginia on the road. Those squads are almost certainly their main competition in the Coastal division.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing noted as we go to press.
Season Win Total
Over – 8 -140
Under – 8 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Slight LEANAGE to the ‘over’. We like the look of this squad.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Virginia Tech boasts the longest consecutive bowl streak in the FBS (26).
MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Positive
Things are looking good from our perspective. The offense is going to be balanced and effective provided that they get decent play out of the OL. The defense is poised to take a big step forward and resemble what we are used to seeing out of these guys. Two of their biggest ACC tilts are on the road, but keep in mind that the Hokies are 10-5 SU in true road games under Justin Fuente’s leadership.
DEGENERATE NATION may have forgotten about Virginia Tech but we have not. We have a mildly positive outlook on their ATS prospects with the major worry being their history vs the point spread. They have only booked one winning season since 2010. Our ACC INSIDERS think that this team can sneak under the radar and potentially be an ATS STEALTH BOMBER. Gobble Gobble!
Want more Virginia Tech football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/
FORUM
http://chat.virginiatech.sportswar.com/message_board/vtfootball/
http://www.thekeyplay.com/forums/football-forum
http://virginiatech.247sports.com/Board/Virginia-Tech-Hokies-Message-Board-Forum-59428
NEWS
http://virginiatech.sportswar.com/hokie-sports-feed/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-hokies
http://bleacherreport.com/virginia-tech-football
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/colleges/
http://www.gobblercountry.com/
TWITTER
Hashtags – #HardSmartTough, #Hokies
https://twitter.com/VT_Football
https://twitter.com/AndyBitterVT