College Football Predictions – Virginia Tech Hokies 2020 College Football Preview
August 17, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 6-7
The Hokies got off to a bit of a rough start losing to semi-scrubs Boston College and Duke in their first four contests, but then caught fire and won six of the next seven games. They finished the campaign by losing to Virginia seemingly for the first time since the Truman presidency, and then fell in a hard fought Belk Bowl to Kentucky (L 37-30).
Let’s see how this squad stacks up with the rest of the ACC in 2020.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
ACC – #4
<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>
Virginia Tech Hokies 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Hokies found a quarterback LY as Hendon Hooker provided a nice spark to an otherwise dormant offense. He finished with an impressive 13-2 TD to INT ratio and rushed for 5 TDs (six games with 40+ rushing yards) whilst starting just eight games. The offense promises to be much improved (#9 ACC total offense LY) given the likely development of Hooker and the weapons at his disposal. Two of the top-three WRs are back including leading man Tre Turner (34-553, 16.3, 4 TD) and note that TE James Mitchell averaged a whopping 17.2 YPC a season ago. The depth at RB is impressive even with the departure of leading rusher Deshawn McClease. Hooker’s mobility will be supplemented by a very deep RB room that includes Kansas transfer Khalil Herbert and Rutgers transfer Raheem Blackshear who is a SWISS ARMY KNIFE (29 carries, 29 receptions with Rutgers LY). THE HITS KEEP COMING as the offensive line brings back five starters and should provide much needed stability.
The offense will be a lot better this season. We expect improvement in the passing output (#11 ACC LY), 3rd down conversions (#8), and doubt they will lose 15 fumbles again (dead last ACC).
DEFENSE
It’ll be REALLY strange to watch the Hokies without legendary DC Bud Foster. They got roasted for 76 points in their final two games but still finished #4 in the ACC in total defense (#5 rushing, #3 pass efficiency D) whilst posting back-to-back shutouts (!) vs Georgia Tech and Pitt. There are 10 (!) returning starters on board this year and lack of talent won’t be a problem. The linebacker unit is one of the best in the ACC and features three returning starters including last year’s leading tackler Rayshard Ashby and leading sack man Chamarri Conner (5.5). The secondary is rock solid and boasts a great CB tandem in Jermaine Waller and Caleb Farley. The weak link is the defensive line which has experience but appears void of top-caliber talent. The Hokies managed to bag 38 sacks LY (#5 ACC) which was a yuuuuge improvement (24 in 2018) and ten players had at least two sacks. If they can uncover an elite pass rusher this defense could really excel.
This appears to be a top-five ACC defense, even with the departure of Farley.
<Note. Farley has opted out of the 2020 season.>
SPECIAL TEAMS
This unit has the potential to be one of the best in the conference. PK Brian Johnson made 19/23 FG attempts LY and P Oscar Bradburn is good one. PR Tayvion Robinson was very effective on punt returns LY (14.2).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Liberty Flames are the non-ACC opponent coming to Blacksburg. Should be a FREE SQUARE. They get to ease into the conference docket with relatively soft games (NC State, Virginia, at Duke) but the last TRIFECTA is going to be tough to navigate (Miami, at Pitt, Clemson). Their original schedule had them avoiding the Tigers.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Louisville (October 31st)
SPOOKY! This Halloween tilt will be their 4th road game in five weeks. Not easy to be ON THE HIGHWAY that many times in one calendar month. Not an optimal spot for the road team.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
Over 7.5 -125, Under 7.5 +105 feels like a reasonable opener. Let’s see what pops up.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Virginia Tech has won 33 games over the past four seasons. That’s best in the ACC next to Clemson. That tasty nugget is brought to you by the good folks at Athlon Sports!
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This appears to be a really balanced squad with a legit shot to sneak into the ACC Championship Game. We like the QB situation and think the defense will be much improved. We might even see BEAMER BALL quality special teams. It’s not impossible to believe we get to see Hokies/Tigers in back-to-back weeks at the end of the year.
GOBBLE GOBBLE!
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NEWS
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