2014 Virginia Tech Hokies Season Preview: Predicting W's and L's

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.