Virginia Tech Hokies 2021 College Football Preview
Created August 4, 2021
2020 Recap
Record – 5-6
ATS – 4-7
The Hokies got off to a good start winning four of their first six games. Things were looking swell until Liberty came to town and SHOCKED the WORLD with a 38-35 upset win. Virginia Tech lost their next three games and salvaged a disappointing regular season with a win over hated Virginia (W 33-15). They finished with a record of 5-6 and booked their 2nd losing campaign in three years.
Virginia Tech Hokies 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
It wasn’t always pretty through the air LY but the Hokies moved like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE on the ground averaging an eye-popping 240 YPG (!) (#1 ACC). Things don’t look rosy heading into this season given the departure of RB Khalil Herbert (1,182, 8 TD) and mobile QB Hendon Hooker (620, 9 TD). It looks as though LY’s backup Braxton Burmeister will take over the QB duties and he definitely has some upside, and decent mobility. It looks like a committee situation at RB with nobody available with the talent of the departed Herbert who was a TD just waiting to happen. The THROW GAME weapons are SPICY. The WR duo of Tayvion Robinson and Tre Turner combined for over 1,100Y and 6 TD LY, and James Mitchell is a premier receiving pass-catching TE (26-435, 16.7, 4 TD). And don’t sleep on youngster Jaden Payoute at WR. Three starters return up front and they’ll be without star LT Christian Darrisaw who was taken in the first round of the NFL draft. They were REALLY good LY, so we expect another strong OL.
DEFENSE
The pass rush was potent LY (36 sacks, #3 ACC sacks per game) but the stop unit struggled overall for the 2nd time in three years and allowed 447 YPG (#12 ACC). Things should improve this year with the return of several talented players and a few nice additions. The DL returns a pair of solid players including DE Amare Barno (6.5 sacks, 16 TFL LY) and they get a nice add in DT Jordan Williams from Clemson. The secondary looks particularly strong with the return of several key pieces including Chamarri Conner (#1 tackles, 2 INT) and senior FS Devin Taylor. We expect good-sized improvement on this side of the football.
SPECIAL TEAMS
RUH ROH.
The Hokies need to find a new PK and a new punter. Don’t forget that PK Brian Johnson made 20/26 FG LY missing only two from under 50 yards. They also lose their fine KR Herbert.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Check out that opener, yo. North Carolina comes to town and that’s a game with yuuuge Coastal division implications. They get a great draw from the Atlantic division but note that four of their last five games are ON THE HIGHWAY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous noted.
Season Win Total
Per 5Dimes August 4
Over 7.5 +105
Under 7.5 -125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over.
Warming up to their prospects. We can see finishing 6-6 or 10-2, but it feels like they have more upside than downside.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Sad factoid for us. ACC Championships. Virginia Tech 4. YOUR Miami Hurricanes 0. Fact check true.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
We’ve gone back and forth at MEGALOCKS HQ over the prospects for this squad. One guy (he/his/she/its) even went a bit too far and threw a dissenter out of the 4th story boardroom window. But we digress. Our best guess is that the offense shows more balance and the defense takes it up a notch. We give them a PUNCHER’S CHANCE to win the division but that season opener is awfully YUUUUGE.
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.roanoke.com/sports/
http://www.gobblercountry.com/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/259/virginia-tech-hokies
TWITTER
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