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)
The Delaware Blue Hens have a new head coach in Danny Rocco entering 2017. They will serve as a solid foe for redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Jackson develop the offense.
The Blue Hens are a decent FCS squad that went 4-7 last season. They’re a solid defensive team but a continuing work in progress on offense. The offense averaged just 97.2 passing yards per game a season ago.
As an FCS squad, Delaware will give Virginia Tech ample time to plan for future opponents. Their offense did average 227.2 rushing yards per game, however. If the Hokies can contain the run, their defense could give the second and third team guys an opportunity to get some on-field experience.
Delaware’s defense is led by linebackers Troy Reeder, a transfer from Penn State, and Charles Bell on defense. Bell led the team in tackles with 94 while Reeder had 63 of his own.
The Virginia Tech Hokies will have an opportunity to possibly showcase what true freshman safety Devon Hunter can do. Granted, it’s against a lower-level team but confidence is key in the game of football.
The Hokies should make easy work of the Blue Hens at home. The game will also give Terrell Edmunds to get used to former free safety Chuck Clark’s spot. Edmunds will have a bigger role as a leader on the Virginia Tech defense in 2017.
Final: Delaware 10, Virginia Tech 45 (2-0)
The East Carolina Pirates are usually a thorn in the Virginia Tech Hokies’ side as an out-of-conference foe, but things have changed under second-year coach Scottie Montgomery.
The Pirates went 3-9 (1-7 American) in Montgomery’s first season as head coach. When they visited the Hokies in Blacksburg, things got ugly to the tune of 54-17.
On the brightside, wide receivers Jimmy Williams and Zay Jones had big days in the receiving department. Williams had three catches for 179 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Jones had 10 catches for 115 receiving yards.
The transition to a new quarterback to go smooth with graduate transfer Thomas Sirk entering the fold. Sirk was the starting quarterback for Duke before reinjuring his Achilles tendon at the beginning of last season. He threw for 2,624 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions as the starter for the Blue Devils in 2015.
Related Story: Virginia Tech Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
Defensively, East Carolina returns just four starters. Their defense gave up 30 points or more in nine games last season. With holes all over, the Hokies could find themselves in another barn burner on the road.
Although, its worth noting, the Hokies are seeking their first win in Greenville since 2013. Montgomery’s defense is transitioning to a 4-2-5 scheme so things could still be competitive. However, Virginia Tech should be focused going into this one.
Final: East Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 42 (3-0)
The Old Dominion Monarchs are a scrappy bunch. They went 10-3 last season as a third-year FBS program. They went 7-1 in Conference USA play and made their first bowl game. They won the Popeyes Bahama Bowl 24-20 over Eastern Michigan.
The Monarchs return 15 starters from last season’s squad. Defense is solid but inexperience at linebacker could keep them from having a strong unit. The secondary is deep enough to overcome the deficiencies and a backup defense (nickel) is in place.
Old Dominion is one of the better teams in Conference USA, though it’s not the ACC. The Monarchs will face two tough tests in both North Carolina (a week prior) and Virginia Tech in 2017.
Old Dominion returns eight offensive starters but needs to replace the left side of their offensive line. The Hokies could expose some holes up front with their interior defense. While the Monarchs ran for 196.8 rushing yards per game on offense, the Hokies allowed just 140.5 rushing yards per game.
The game serves as an intriguing matchup between two Virginia football teams. The Virginia Tech Hokies should look to find some balance in the running and passing game here with quarterback Josh Jackson running the show.
The Hokies may get off to a slow start, but in the end, they should win this game with relative ease. The Monarchs aren’t the biggest passing team. They attempted 28.8 passes per game last season, ranking 12th in the Conference USA.
Final: Old Dominion 17, Virginia Tech 42 (4-0)
The Clemson Tigers and Virginia Tech Hokies face off in a rematch of last year’s ACC Championship game. The Hokies fell in the title game by one possession, 42-35, after giving up 182 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson led the way offense with 85 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 288 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. The Hokies stuck around all night but there was no denying the Clemson offense. The offense accumulated 30 first downs, 470 total yards and just one turnover in the game.
The good news for Virginia Tech is the Clemson offense will have a completely different look this season with a new quarterback. Wide receivers Hunter Renfrow and Deon Cain return to give them solid weapons in the passing game.
Defensively, the Tigers still have a solid group. They have some rebuilding to do in the secondary but they return seven starters. The defensive line features a few NFL Draft picks in Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wikins and Dexter Lawrence.
Two seasoned defensive coordinators in Brent Venables (Clemson) and Bud Foster (Virginia Tech) clash in what should be a defensive battle throughout. The Tigers went 14-1 last season and while they return just five starters on offense, they’re still projected to be a top team.
The Virginia Tech Hokies still aren’t quite ready to face an elite ACC Clemson team, at least their offense isn’t anyways. The Hokies have lost four games in a row to the Tigers including 2 losses in the ACC Championship in 2016 and 2011.
Final: Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 30 (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
The Boston College Golden Eagles are still an improving team in the ACC. They went 7-6 last season, head coach Steve Addazio’s favorite record as he’s gone 7-6 three times in his four year tenure. The Golden Eagles have their fair share of talent that will be showcased throughout this game.
Boston College’s defense is led by senior defensive end Harold Landry, the FBS leader in sacks (16.5) and fumbles forced (7) in 2016. Landry is a menace off the edge whether in the pass or the run. He’s one of seven defenders returning from last year’s squad.
More from Virginia Tech Hokies
- College Football Hot Seat: 5 Coaches who must win in Week 3
- Previewing ACC football’s biggest games in Week 3
- Virginia Tech football: 3 candidates to replace Justin Fuente
- Virginia Tech Football: Will Georgia Tech game be Justin Fuente’s last?
- Virginia Tech Football: Can Justin Fuente right the ship in 2021?
The Golden Eagles defense should have their hands full again in this year’s matchup. Last season they gave up 49 points in Blacksburg. They’ll need to put up a better showing at home, particularly in the secondary.
The Boston College offense is the biggest weakness. While the defense ranked in the top 10 of the conference in scoring, rushing and passing offense, the offense ranked near the bottom. In fact, the offense ranked 96th in the FBS in rushing yards per game (149.1), 120th in passing yards per game (143.8) and 113th in points per game (20.4).
They do return running back Jon Hilliman, which should help the offense improve. Hilliman ran for 542 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season in 11 starts. A lot is riding on potential starter Anthony Brown to bring the offense out of the dungeon this season.
The Hokies have seen their fair share of close games with the Golden Eagles. However, much like last year, Virginia Tech should have their way in this one.
Final: Boston College 10, Virginia Tech 28 (5-1, 1-1 ACC)
The Virginia Tech Hokies made easy work of the North Carolina Tar Heels last season. Their 34-3 victory last year was more about grit and determination than anything else. North Carolina finished 8-5 (5-3 ACC) but their three losses in conference play were headscratchers.
The Tar Heels entered the game with one of the more accurate quarterbacks in the FBS. However, Mitch Trubisky was anything but that. He entered the game with zero interceptions on the season and 13 passing touchdowns. In the game, he threw for a season-low 58 passing yards and two interceptions.
Many blame the weather for Trubisky’s abysmal performance, however, the Tar Heels still allowed 34 points on defense. The Hokies offense managed to accumulate 264 total yards (189 of those rushing) on their way to a route despite the conditions.
This season, conditions pending, the Virginia Tech Hokies have the advantage as the home team. The Hokies are also coming off a bye week, giving them an extra week to work out any kinks and get healthy going into the late stages of the season.
The score will be close in the end, but the Hokies should jump out to a lead here and let their defense do the rest. North Carolina defeated Virginia Tech in their last trip to Blacksburg in 2015, 30-27 in overtime. They’ll test the Hokies but the home team should pull out the victory.
Final: North Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 31 (6-1, 2-1 ACC)
The Duke Blue Devils were a 4-8 team that went 1-7 in ACC play in 2016. They weren’t exactly the best team on either side of the ball but offense remains to be where they lack a big-play threat.
Quarterback Daniel Jones didn’t fare too poorly serving as a first-year starter when the team lost Thomas Sirk early in the season. Jones threw for 2,836 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.
He also ran for 486 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns as a dual-threat guy. However, after gaining a year of experience, the receiving corps should provide Jones a bit of relief. T.J. Rahming caught a team-high 70 receptions for 742 receiving yards and a touchdown last season. Anthony Nash and Johnathan Lloyd are also two other names to watch for here.
Out of the backfield, Shaun Wilson should continue to get the bulk of the carries. He ran for 623 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 151 attempts.
Duke doesn’t have much experience returning on the defensive line. Past that, their top tacklers in linebackers Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris. Other than that, their defense will need players step up, which usually happens when they face the Hokies.
The Blue Devils have defeated the Hokies in their last two visits to Blacksburg in 2013 and 2015. The Hokies have managed to escape on the road by a combined four points in their past visits as well. Duke continues to improve in the ACC, expect them to give Virginia Tech all they can handle.
Final: Duke, Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1 ACC)
This is the game on the Virginia Tech Hokies schedule that will be the turning point. The Miami Hurricanes are expected to have a strong season in the ACC this year. The Hurricanes still haven’t named a starting quarterback, but the defense is what should carry them.
The defense returns seven starters from a unit that allowed just 18.5 points per game last season. Their sophomore trio of linebackers in Shaquille Quarterman, Zach McCloud and Michael Pinckney is a talented bunch. Quarterman was second on the team last season in tackles with 84.
The secondary has some question marks but the team hopes graduate transfer Dee Delaney, an FCS All-American out of Citadel. Delaney will lead the way but the Hurricanes have some youth at the cornerback spot that should get some experience in 2017.
Related Story: Virginia Tech Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
The Virginia Tech Hokies made easy work of the Hurricanes last season, 37-16. Quarterback Jerod Evans ran for 98 rushing yards and a touchdown while throwing for 259 passing yards and two touchdowns. With Evans gone, new starter Josh Jackson will have big shoes to fill.
The Hokies have the defense to limit what Miami can do but the offense will need to produce. Virginia Tech has had some high-scoring performances under head coach Justin Fuento so far, but this won’t be one of them.
Final: Miami 13, Virginia Tech 20 (8-1, 4-1 ACC)
There’s always one game on the Virginia Tech Hokies that leaves critics wondering what happened. Last season, it was against the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier Dome. This season, it’s on the road against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The Hokies fell to the Yellow Jackets 30-20 last season in Blacksburg and this season, they face a similar fate. Potential starting quarterback Matthew Jordan will be a familiar face for the Hokies. He ran for 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries in last year’s victory.
The Yellow Jackets defense returns eight starters including nickel back Lawrence Austin. Austin had two interceptions and a forced fumble in last year’s upset. They forced four turnovers in the game as a unit. This season, the defense hopes to play at a similar level.
Despite fielding a 9-4 season, the team went just 4-4 in ACC play last season. Georgia Tech will need to find its rushing game again to bounce back. They have nine starters on offense returning so they aren’t short on experience.
Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 9-5 against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Two of those losses have come at home for the Virginia Tech Hokies. This year’s road meeting is important since November is usually when teams turn up their level of play.
The Hokies should get everything they can handle from the Georgia Tech Triple Option offense. Things could get interesting in the Coastal standings after this one.
Final: Georgia Tech 28, Virginia Tech 24 (8-2, 4-2 ACC)
The Pittsburgh Panthers should be an interesting team by the time November arrives. They return some weapons on offense, but on defense they return just four starters. At this juncture in the season, they should have some new playmakers making their mark on defense.
The Panthers hope former USC quarterback Max Browne can take command of their balanced offensive attack. He’s got running back Qadree Ollison (1,121 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns in 2015) and wide receivers Quadree Henderson and Jester Weah to lean on there.
The Pittsburgh defense is where there are question marks, especially on the defensive line. Defensive end Rori Blair, the lone starter left from last year, was recently dismissed from the team.
So far, there’s nobody to replace Ejuan Price’s 23.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks.
In the secondary, they’ve got experience with playmaking safety Jordan Whitehead. Although Whitehead had a rather quiet season in 2016. They’ll need to step up with their pressure as their defense dares teams to pass on them.
The Virginia Tech Hokies aired it out for 406 passing yards and two touchdowns in last year’s meeting. The Hokies won 39-36 at Heinz Field.
By now, the Hokies should have established other receivers in the offense next to wide receiver Cam Phillips. Expect Virginia Tech to showcase those talents in this game.
Final: Pittsburgh 27, Virginia Tech 35 (9-2, 5-2 ACC)
Rivalry Week is on the road this season for the Virginia Tech Hokies. It’s worth noting they’ve won 13 straight games over the Virginia Cavaliers. The Hokies won last year’s game 52-10 and this year’s game could have similar results.
More: Virginia Tech football officially names Josh Jackson starting QB
The Cavaliers went 2-10 (1-7 ACC) last season in Bronco Mendenhall’s rookie year as head coach. He has his work cut out for him in season two. The offense lost their biggest playmaker in Taquan Mizzell (940 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns), but they have the talent at wide receiver to replace him.
Wide receiver Doni Dowling should get his fair share of catches, although running back Olamide Zaccheaus led the team with 51 receptions and seven touchdown receptions in 2016.
The offensive line has some holes to fill at the center, right tackle and left guard positions. It will make for another interesting year for quarterback Kurt Benkert.
The Cavaliers weren’t very good in the secondary last season, allowing 256.6 passing yards per game. The Hokies will be sure to take advantage of them here in this game.
Look for wide receiver Cam Phillips to go out with a bang as well. He had six catches for 87 receiving yards and a touchdown in last year’s meeting.
Defensively, the Virginia Tech Hokies forced three turnovers in last year’s game and held Virginia to 108 rushing yards. By the end of the November, this Hokies team should be a special bunch on defense. Look for them to have a big game and potentially put up some points.
Final: Virginia 17, Virginia Tech 42 (10-2, 6-2 ACC)
End of regular season: 10-2 (6-2 ACC)
Call me crazy but the Virginia Tech Hokies’ schedule favors a 10-win season. They won 10 games last year and made the ACC Championship and based on the landscape in the conference in 2017, it favors another run to the championship game.
The Hokies aren’t in bad shape, particularly on defense, which will carry them next season. They have a ton of talent at the linebacker positions and in the secondary. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster will use constant pressure to force turnovers and get stops while the Hokies offense continues to grow under Fuente’s tutelage.
Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017
Quarterback Josh Jackson had a year to get the playbook under his belt and is saying and doing all the right things. He will have an opportunity to lead a young group on offense. Establishing a running game is key for Jackson and he’ll need to rely on the backfield to stay healthy.
Even though Jackson is a dual-threat guy, he should look to use his arm early. The Virginia Tech offense is geared towards passing the ball downfield. If he can make quick decisions and stay healthy, look for Virginia Tech to challenge for the ACC Coastal division crown.