Virginia Tech Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
The Virginia Tech football team has a chance to win the ACC Coastal in 2017 in year two under head coach Justin Fuente.
The Virginia Tech Hokies did well in year one under head coach Justin Fuente. Now, they look to repeat last year’s magic by restocking the cupboard on offense.
The offense loses starting quarterback Jerod Evans, wide receiver Isaiah Ford and tight end Bucky Hodges. They also have to replace the right side of the offensive line.
The battle for the starting quarterback job is over. The Hokies have chosen redshirt freshman Josh Jackso to run the show. Junior college transfer A.J. Bush will probably serve as the backup this season. While true freshman Hendon Hooker will most likely take a redshirt in 2017.
Having the playbook under his belt certainly helped Jackson’s cause. Now the dual-threat quarterback from Ann Arbor has an opportunity to lead the Virginia Tech Hokies offense to the top of the Coastal division.
On the other side of the ball, the Hokies defense returns seven starters including the Edmunds brothers (Tremaine and Terrell), a dynamic duo of brothers looking to breakout in 2017.
They’ve also welcomed a slew of in-state recruits led by safety Devon Hunter. A new era has begun in Blacksburg, which has fans excited for another season of college football.
The Virginia Tech Hokies open the season against the West Virginia Mountaineers. The teams meet for the first time since 2005 to renew the Black Diamond Trophy rivalry game.
The Mountaineers return just seven total starters from last year’s team. Transfer quarterback Will Grier looks to pick up where he left off as the Florida Gators quarterback back in 2015. Grier threw for 1,202 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions before being suspended for taking a banned substance.
Grier will be without sophomore wide receiver Marcus Simms making them even thinner at the wide receiver spot. The Mountaineers do have the Big 12’s leading rusher in Justin Crawford returning. Crawford ran for 1,184 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in 2016.
West Virginia is sure to have their hands full with the Virginia Tech Hokies pressure defense. The Hokies are sure to push the pace so expect an early lead, but they’ll have to hold on late to pull this one out.
Final: West Virginia 30, Virginia Tech 35 (1-0)