Football,f1 motorsports,NBA,Premier League

Historically speaking, the University of Miami (Fl) has always prided itself with having its football team being a National Championship contender, or at the very least, involved in such discussions.  In most respects, a three loss season is considered a success, but in Miami, anything short of appearing in one of the four major bowl games is considered unacceptable.

Larry Coker led the Miami Hurricanes to a National Championship during his debut season as the team's head coach in 2001, taking over for  Butch Davis, who accepted a head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns prior to the season.

Coker led the Hurricanes back to the National Championship game during his sophomore season, in a losing effort against the Ohio State Buckeyes.  In 2003, the Hurricanes finished 11-2, but they did win the Big East Championship outright.

Miami would finish both 2004 and 2005 9-3, failing to finish within the top 10 final rankings.  Coker was on the hot seat entering the 2006 season, with anything short of a National Championship appearance being considered grounds for termination.  The Hurricanes finished the regular season 6-6, resulting in Coker's termination.

Randy Shanahan had the difficult responsibility of replacing Coker, while also dealing with the Nevin Shapiro scandal that proceeded the 2011 season.  Unfortunately, Shanahan's first season as head coach was a bust.  The Hurricanes lost six of their final seven games, and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time on over a decade.  Miami finished 7-6 in 2008, improved to 9-4 in 2009, before falling back to 7-6 in 2010.   Shanahan was fired following the Hurricanes' loss to South Florida to end the 2010 season.

Al Golden was hired as head coach for the 2011 season due to his success at Temple University.  During Golden's first two seasons as head coach, the Hurricanes finished 6-6 and 7-5.  Last season the Hurricanes improved to 9-4.

Golden and the Hurricanes both entered this season understanding the higher expectations in place, but with losses already to Louisville and Nebraska, the odds of Miami finishing this season in the top 25 have been diminished.

A loss to Georgia Tech this Saturday would put the Hurricanes on pace to finish this season (Golden's 4th with Miami) 6-6, and as a result could place Al Golden on the hot seat, pr perhaps out of a job.  This Saturday's contest is not only a huge must win game for Georgia Tech, but it's also a big game in deciding Al Golden's future as the head coach for the Miami Hurricanes.

The Virginia Tech Hokies, from the ACC, are coming off of two down seasons for their standards. The Hokies went 7-6 in 2012 and followed that up with an 8-5 season last year. The Hokies will now have to bounce back and return to their winning standards that Head Coach Frank Beamer has built the past couple decades.

Virginia Tech will have to replace quarterback Logan Thomas this year, but will return a majority of their starting offensive unit. The Hokies return nine starters on offense, including standout running back Trey Edmunds. Edmunds averaged 4.1 yards per carry as a freshman last year and accounted for ten rushing touchdowns.

As the Hokies try to plug in a new starting quarterback, Edmunds will be asked to carry a majority of the load to get the offense off to a good start in 2014. Along with an explosive running game, the Hokies will return their top three receivers from last year.

Virginia Tech returns Willie Byrn, Demitri Knowles and Joshua Stanford in 2014. These three combined for over 1,800 yards receiving last year and accounted for six touchdowns.  This receiving core will be vital in helping out the new quarterback in Blacksburg this fall.

The schedule for Virginia Tech is very manageable in 2014, but they have a tough out of conference game in week two against Ohio State. The Buckeyes are a preseason top ten team in both the coaches’ and AP Poll, but with the loss of Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller that game becomes much more winnable for Virginia Tech. If the Hokies can somehow pull the upset over Ohio State then Virginia Tech could be a sleeper in the national picture.

Here is a look at the 2014 regular season schedule for the Hokies. I will predict how I see them doing in each of their 12 games. This year could be a very successful one for Virginia Tech if they are able to work out their quarterback issue and provide the supporting cast alongside this season.

August 30- William & Mary Tribe @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 38-14

September 6- Virginia Tech Hokies @ Ohio State Buckeyes- Ohio State Buckeyes win 37-23

September 13- East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 31-20

September 20- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 28-21

September 27- Western Michigan Broncos @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 34-13

October 4- Virginia Tech Hokies @ North Carolina Tar Heels- North Carolina Tar Heels win 27-20

October 11- Bye Week

October 16- Virginia Tech Hokies @ Pittsburgh Panthers- Pittsburgh Panthers win 24-17

October 23- Miami Hurricanes @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 26-20

November 1- Boston College Eagles @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 34-17

November 8- Bye Week

November 15- Virginia Tech Hokies @ Duke Blue Devils- Virginia Tech Hokies win 27-13

November 22- Virginia Tech Hokies @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons- Virginia Tech Hokies win 30-13

November 28- Virginia Cavaliers @ Virginia Tech Hokies- Virginia Tech Hokies win 34-23

So, after going through the 2014 Virginia Tech schedule we have them finishing at 9-3. I feel this will put them right in the hunt to win the ACC Coastal division and play in this year’s ACC Championship game.

The defense will be the catalyst for Virginia Tech this year as the offense tries to work through some early troubles. The Hokies have nearly half of their defense returning from last year’s team and I believe that will be the strength of this team just like so many years in the past.

The Hokies will be close to returning to their usual ten win season marks as they have done so many times under Head Coach Frank Beamer. 2014 will have some troubling moments, but when all is said and done it will be a successful season after two down seasons for the Hokies.

Again, we have Virginia Tech going 9-3 in 2014 and being a top contender to win the 2014 ACC title. This is a very crucial year for Coach Beamer as he tries to prove he still has what it takes to win at a high level in the ACC and nationally. The pressure could start ramping up on Beamer and his coaching staff if they have another average season because of all the success Florida State has experienced lately.

I believe they will answer the call and get back on the winning track in 2014. This season will be exciting for Hokie fans and could be magical if they somehow find their way to the ACC title game in December. Beamer and the Hokies are primed to return to the elite in the ACC, but it will be a challenge that they have to be ready to take on each and every week.