2011 Virginia Tech Hokies Football: Va. Tech vs Appalachian State

So, will the Virginia Tech Hokies not slip on the banana peel this season? That’s the question being asked before a season-opening game against a school known for creating stunners.

Last year, Virginia Tech scheduled James Madison for week two, five days after the draining Labor Day war against Boise State. Yes, Virginia Tech was exhausted. Yes, Virginia Tech should have made that week a bye week on its schedule. Nevertheless, the Hokies had absolutely no business losing to the Dukes in their own ballpark at Lane Stadium. The setback humiliated Virginia Tech, and even though the Hokies rebounded to win yet another ACC championship (the program’s third in the past four years), a lot of the locals still can’t get over that loss. With Appalachian State – the conqueror of a loaded Michigan team in the 2007 season opener – coming to Blacksburg, Virginia, the Hokies need to be on their guard. Yes, Virginia Tech won’t be coming off a short week following a physically taxing game against an elite team, but the need for vigilance is still paramount for head coach Frank Beamer.

Here’s what the Hokies are facing on the field in 2011: Tyrod Taylor has been the face of the Virginia Tech offense for four years, and now the brilliant quarterback must be replaced. Still, the coaching staff is excited, almost giddy, about the potential of Logan Thomas, an enormous physical specimen. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, Thomas automatically draws comparisons to last season’s physical freak at quarterback, Cam Newton. Thomas likely won’t be Newton as a sophomore, but, his size and arm strength will allow new offensive coordinator Mike O’Cain to build plays into the offense that highlight his size and strength as a runner. Taylor was a fantastic passer by the end of his career, but if Thomas can just be an adequate passer and avoid crippling turnovers, the Hokies offense won’t struggle in 2011.

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Thomas will be surrounded by a pretty talented cast on offense. After splitting carries in 2010, David Wilson is set to be the central ball-carrier and he is an electric runner. Depth behind Wilson, however, is rather suspect. The Hokies return their top five receivers from last season lead by Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale. The two combined for over 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns receiving in 2010. The Hokies’ offense will rely more on three receiver sets, and that means more playing time for Marcus Davis as well. Four returning starters along the offensive line are back, and that means Thomas will have a reliable line to play behind as he grows into the offense.

Defense, the calling card of the Hokies over the years, has some questions to answer. Only five starters are back from last year’s unit that started slow, but finished as the conference’s best unit. Just one starter returns on the defensive line, but, there’s a feeling that new blood might be just what is needed. The Hokies were uncharacteristically poor against the run and by turning to talented but untested redshirt freshmen at defensive end and defensive tackle; they hope to see improvement with youth. If they don’t, it could be another long year of teams lining up and running directly at the defense with success a la Boise State and Stanford last season.

Virginia Tech is going to be favored in almost every game it plays this season. Moreover, the scandals at North Carolina and Miami mean that the ACC Coastal Division is going to be Tech’s to lose the next several seasons. It’s time for the Hokies to handle the pressure and not suffer the kind of stunning upset loss that shocked them last September in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech Hokies vs Appalachian State Mountaineers Preview