2008 Preseason Round Up

All the previews for the 2008 season have been posted. Next week we can start focusing on real, actual games. Can you believe it? CALLLAGE FOOTBAWL! It's here.

Miss anything from the last month? If so, here's everything from Gobbler Country you need to get ready for the season:

VT Position Previews
Schedule
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Pass Catchers (boy is this dated)
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Secondary
Kickers

VT Stats-related Posts
Offense Stat Projection
Defense Stat Projection
QB Stat Projection
RB Stat Projection
PC Stat Projection
Importance of Turnovers
Importance of the Running Game

Predictions
BCS Bowls
ACC
SEC
Big East
Big 12
Big Ten
Pac 10

2008 National Football Predictions

Rose Bowl
Jan. 1 - Pasadena, Calif.
USC over Ohio State
- Yep, it's a rematch. Unlike the first game, I won't be watching.

Orange Bowl
Jan. 1 - Miami Gardens, Fla.
Virginia Tech over Oklahoma
- Two teams that don't perform very well in BCS games. I've been waiting for this match-up since I saw OU beat Tech 27-17 in the early '90s.

Sugar Bowl
Jan. 2 - New Orleans, La.
West Virginia over Clemson
- A second ACC team in a BCS bowl? Hooray! Oh, great, they're playing West Virginia. For some reason, the Mountaineers are really good in bowl lately after struggling in them for years.

Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 5 - Glendale, Ariz.
Texas Tech over BYU
- Points! Oogles of delicious, gooey points!

BCS Championship Game
Jan. 8 - Miami Gardens, Fla.
Georgia over Florida
- Another rematch. Yep, dat der ess-eee-see is the best got-damn foobaw conference in the whole got-damn nation. All dem utter conferences is jis playin' for sekin' place.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: ACCCG

2008 ACC Championship Game
Dec. 6, 2008
Raymond James Stadium - Tampa, Fla.

Virginia Tech over Wake Forest

- The key for the Hokies will be stopping the run against the Deacs. The last couple years the Deacs have been at their best when running to the outside, which helps Virginia Tech. The Hokies have one of the better run-stopping secondaries in the country with Macho Harris and Kam Chancellor. Like last season's title game, I see the Hokie defense bending, not breaking and making plays late to win the game.

- The Hokies finish the year 11-2 and head to the Orange Bowl (sound familiar?). The ACC gets its first BCS at-large berth as Clemson heads to the Sugar Bowl. Wake Forest finishes the year 10-3 heads to Jacksonville.

Bowl Projections

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech
Sugar Bowl: Clemson
Peach Bowl: Florida State
Gator Bowl: Wake Forest
Champs Sports Bowl: Miami
Music City Bowl: Virginia
Meineke Car Car Bowl: North Carolina
Emerald Bowl: Boston College
Humanitarian Bowl: Maryland

- The Peach Bowl gets FSU for the first time since 1983, the Gator Bowl gets Clemson for the first time since 2001 and the Champs Sports Bowl gets Miami for the first time.

- The Meineke Car Care Bowl gets an in-state team for the fourth time in five years and the Tar Heels for the first time since 2004. Maryland gets shipped West for the second consecutive year and BC heads to San Francisco.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 14

Week 14 in the ACC
The ACC goes a somewhat respectable 2-2 against the SEC during rivalry week. Virginia Tech, Clemson and Wake Forest all get to 10 wins. The ACC finishes with nine bowl eligible teams. It had eight teams go bowling in 2007.

Bye Weeks
None!

Game of the Week
Florida over Florida State

Nov. 29
Virginia Tech over Virginia
Boston College over Maryland
Miami wins at NC State
North Carolina wins at Duke
Clemson over South Carolina
Georgia over Georgia Tech
Wake Forest over Vanderbilt

ACC Standings after Week 14
FINAL

Atlantic
WAKE 10-2, 6-2
FSU 9-3, 6-2
CLEM 10-2, 6-2
BC 6-6, 3-5
MARY 6-6, 3-5
NCST 3-9, 2-6

Coastal
VT 10-2, 6-1
MIA 8-4, 5-3
UNC 7-5, 5-3
UVA 6-6, 4-4
GT 3-9, 1-7
DUKE 3-9, 0-8

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 13

Week 13 in the ACC
I think Maryland will win at home against FSU. They play much better at home than on the road and Florida State isn't good enough to have just one regular season loss going into the Florida game. Could they be caught looking ahead to the Gators? It's possible. Wins by Wake and Clemson give us a three-way tie yet again in the Atlantic. Wake holds the tie breakers and heads to Tampa. Virginia's loss to Clemson gives Virginia Tech the Coastal title. Both divisions are decided before Week 14.

Bye Weeks
None!

Game of the Week
Maryland over Florida State

Nov. 20
Miami wins at GT

Nov. 22
Virginia Tech over Duke
Wake Forest over Boston College
Clemson wins at Virginia
North Carolina over NC State

ACC Standings after Week 13

Atlantic
WAKE 9-2, 6-2
FSU 9-2, 6-2
CLEM 9-2, 6-2
MARY 6-5, 3-4
BC 5-6, 2-5
NCST 3-8, 2-5

Coastal
VT 9-2, 6-1
MIA 7-4, 4-3
UVA 6-5, 4-3
UNC 6-5, 4-3
GT 3-8, 1-7
DUKE 3-8, 0-7

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 12

Week 12 in the ACC
Virginia Tech takes control of the Coastal with a win at Miami. The top three teams in the Atlantic all win. My only concern with the Hokies' game in Miami is their ability to stop the run. Miami has a great stable of running backs. I think this game will be similar to the teams' game in 2006. A tight contest settled late in the game. As a Hokie fan, I have to pick them to beat the 'Canes. While both teams are young, Tech's defense will be able to make the plays late in the game that make the difference.

Bye Weeks
Georgia Tech and Virginia

Nov. 13 and Game of the Week
Virginia Tech wins at Miami

Nov. 15
Florida State over Boston College
Clemson over Duke
Wake Forest wins at NC State
North Carolina wins at Maryland

ACC Standings after Week 12

Atlantic
FSU 9-1, 6-1
WAKE 8-2, 5-2
CLEM 8-2, 5-2
MARY 5-5, 2-4
BC 5-5, 2-4
NCST 3-7, 2-4

Coastal
VT 8-2, 5-1
UVA 6-4, 4-2
MIA 6-4, 3-3
UNC 5-5, 3-3
GT 3-7, 1-6
DUKE 3-7, 0-6

I'm Disappointed in Big Daddy Drew

Two Virginia Tech football features are out today. First, The Quad. The New York Times blog puts the Hokies at No. 15, just like the rest of America. Paul Myerberg thinks we'll win our division and 10 games.

Next, the preview at theACC.com has several tidbits about the Hokies, most of which Hokie fans already knew. One that I didn't? Sean Glennon is fourth among active ACC QBs in career passing yards.

Finally, there's Deadspin. Big Daddy Drew wrote a hater's guide to the Top 25 and most of them we're pretty funny and creative. The one that wasn't creative was his pithy jab at the Hokies:

15. Virginia Tech

Awesome campus-wide alert system you people have. Apparently, the only security alarm in Blacksburg is a guy hollering atop a donkey.

First of all, I'll never think April 16 is funny. No Hokies will. But my main issue isn't that he's making light of the tragedy, it's I expected more from BDD. His shots at Mizzou, West Virginia and Arizona State had me rolling. His shot at Tech was just lame.

And for the record, Drew, it's a mule, not a donkey.

2008 VT Stat Projection: Pass Catchers

According to Wednesday's quarterback stat projection, I have to account for 218 receptions, 2,760 yards and 17 touchdowns for the pass catchers. This includes the bevy of inexperienced wide receivers, the cluster of unproven running backs and the solid, steady and reliable corps of tight ends.

Last year, the receivers caught 184 passes for 2,383 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season.

The Tech offense usually uses its tight ends about as often as Travis Henry uses protection. However, you have to figure they'll see a few more balls their way since Sam Wheeler was on his way to becoming a favorite target of Glennon's before tearing his ACL and because everyone else is so green.

As for the receivers, I think Zach Luckett will emerge as the go-to guy with the former quarterbacks, Ike Whitaker and Cory Holt also emerging as targets. As for the running backs, Kenny Lewis appears to be the best pass-catcher among them, although Ryan Williams could see the field as a flanker early in the season.

For the purpose of this projection, we'll look at the five receivers I expect to make the biggest impact in 2008 (Luckett, Whitaker, Holt, Dyrell Roberts and Danny Coale), the top two tight ends (Wheeler and Greg Boone) and the top two running backs (Lewis and Williams). We'll assume those nine will account for 200 receptions, 2,670 yards and 17 touchdowns and 18 receptions and 90 yards going to other players in mop-up duty, etc.

Regular Season Only

Wide Receivers

Zach Luckett in 2008
45 Rec, 710 Yds, 5 TDs
15.8 Ypc

Ike Whitaker in 2008
35 Rec, 480 Yds, 3 TDs
13.7 Ypc

Danny Coale in 2008
25 Rec, 320 Yds, 2 TDs
12.8 Ypc

Dyrell Roberts in 2008
15 Rec, 220 Yds, 1 TD
14.7 Ypc

Cory Holt in 2008
15 Rec, 190 Yds, 0 TDs
12.7 Ypc

Tight Ends

Sam Wheeler
25 Rec, 360 Yds, 3 TDs
14.4 Ypc

Greg Boone
10 Rec, 145 Yds, 1 TD
14.5 Ypc

Running Backs

Kenny Lewis
20 Rec, 160 Yds, 1 TD
8.0 Ypc

Ryan Williams
10 Rec, 85 Yds, 1 TD
8.5 Ypc

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 11

Week 11 in the ACC
Florida State takes control of its own destiny by beating Clemson and having Wake Forest lose to Virginia. North Carolina gets back on track with a home win over Georgia Tech.

Bye Weeks
Miami

Game of the Week
Florida State over Clemson

Nov. 6
Virginia Tech over Maryland

Nov. 8
Virginia wins at Wake Forest
NC State wins at Duke
North Carolina over Georgia Tech
Notre Dame over Boston College

ACC Standings after Week 11

Atlantic
FSU 8-1, 5-1
WAKE 7-2, 4-2
CLEM 7-2, 4-2
MARY 5-4, 2-3
BC 5-4, 2-3
NCST 3-6, 2-3

Coastal
VT 7-2, 4-1
UVA 6-4, 4-2
MIA 6-3, 3-2
UNC 4-5, 2-3
GT 3-7, 1-6
DUKE 3-6, 0-5

2008 VT Stat Projection: Running Backs

In Monday's stat projection for the offense as a whole I predicted the Hokies to average 155 yards per game on the ground. Multiply that by 12 regular season games and that's 1,860 rushing yards that need to be accounted for by Virginia Tech's ball-carriers.

Last year, the Hokies tallied 1,638 rushing yards on 482 carries (3.4 Ypc) in their 12 regular season games. How will the Hokies average 155 yards per game this year? Easy. I think the yards per carry will up significantly in 2008. The offensive line is much better and with Tyrod Taylor scrambling for yards, you'll see a significant rise in yards per carry.

If you read Wednesday's stat projection for the quarterbacks, you saw that I predict the Hokies to throw four more passes per game this year as opposed to last. Lets say the Hokies run the same number of plays this year as last year. That means they would have to rush for 1,860 yards on 438 carries in 2008. That puts the team yards per carry at 4.2 yards per carry, an improvement of almost a full yard over last year's team.

Again, I think this is possible because of Tyrod's rushing ability, the improved offensive line, and fewer sacks taking away from the yards per carry. Basically, you'll see a lot fewer carries for Glennon this year. He had 66 in 2007.

I'll focus the individual projections on the four players I think will get the most carries in 2008: Kenny Lewis, Jahre Cheeseman, Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams. While Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby are good players, there just aren't enough carries for them.

Between mop-up time rushing yards, rushing yards for receivers and quarterback sacks, the Hokies had 112 rushing yards on that weren't accounted for by the top four rushers. I think that will stay the same this year (less reverses but less sacks). Since there are more backs competing for mop-up yards (but mostly to keep these numbers round), let's say the top four rushers for the Hokies need to combine for 1,740 yards (120 yards to others) on 390 carries (48 to others) in 2008. That would be just under 4.5 yards per carry. Last year, the top four rushers for the Hokies had 1,524 yards on 385 carries during the regular season (4.0 Ypc).

Regular Season Only

Tyrod Taylor in 2008
90 Car, 550 Yds, 6.1 Ypc, 7 TD

Jahre Cheeseman in 2008
140 Car, 550 yds, 3.9 Ypc, 7 TD

Kenny Lewis in 2008
90 Car, 320 yds, 3.5 Ypc, 3 TD

Ryan Williams in 2008
70 Car, 320 yds, 4.5 Ypc, 4 TD

I think you will see Cheeseman as the primary back early in the year with more and more of his carries going to Williams as the season progresses. Lewis will stay in the same role as the third down back or change of pace back for the duration of the season.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 10

Week 10 in the ACC
Clemson, Wake Forest and Florida State all remain in a three-way tie atop the Atlantic. However, Clemson and Florida State need Wake to drop a game because the Deacs hold the tie breaker over both. Miami gets a big win on the road against Virginia. Its game against Virginia Tech in two weeks could be for the Coastal division title.

Bye Weeks
Virginia Tech, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina

Game of the Week
Clemson wins at Boston College

Nov. 1
Florida State wins at Georgia Tech
Wake Forest over Duke
Miami wins at Virginia

ACC Standings after Week 10

Atlantic
WAKE 7-1, 4-1
CLEM 7-1, 4-1
FSU 7-1, 4-1
MARY 5-3, 2-2
BC 5-3, 2-3
NCST 2-6, 1-3

Coastal
VT 6-2, 3-1
UVA 5-4, 3-2
MIA 6-3, 3-2
UNC 3-5, 1-3
GT 3-6, 1-5
DUKE 3-5, 0-4

2008 VT Stat Projection: Quarterbacks

In Monday's projection for the offense as a whole I said the Hokies will average 230 yards per game this year through the air. Multiply that by 12 regular season games and you get 2,760 passing yards that need to be accounted for by the two quarterbacks.

As I've said all along, I expect the dual-quarterback system to win out with Glennon as the starter getting most of the snaps. I expect he'll flourish in his senior year and collect about 65-70 percent of the Hokies' passing yards. Tyrod will obviously have a lot more yards on the ground because that's what the Hokies will need from him.

Last year, Glennon threw for 1,462 yards in the regular season while Tyrod threw for 888.

Regular season only

Sean Glennon 2008
145-225, 1,800 Yds, 11 TD, 4 INT
64.4 Comp%, 8.0 Ypa

Tyrod Taylor 2008
73-128, 960 yds, 6 TD, 3 INT
57.0 Comp%, 7.5 Ypa

Last season, Glennon completed 60.9 percent of his passes and averaged 7.5 yards per attempt. Tyrod completed 53.7 percent of his passes and averaged 6.9 yards per attempt.

Last year Glennon and Taylor combined to throw 305 passes in the 12 regular season games. This projection has them combining for 353 passes. That's an increase of four passes per game. I believe this is reasonable because Glennon will be be involved more than last year, where he didn't play in one game and barely saw action in four others. In 2006, he threw 276 passes in the 12 regular season games he started.

Also, the Hokies' running back situation will call for more passes. All five potential backs are unproven or have no previous game experience.

These numbers would give Glennon just over 65 percent of the passing yards and almost 64 percent of the passing attempts. Will that be enough to placate the redshirt senior and third year starter? If the team's winning, probably. If it's not, changes will be made, one way or another and feelings will be hurt. But, that's the risk with the two-quarterback system. When the team's winning, everyone's happy. When it's not, no one is.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 9

Week 9 in ACC Football
I don't think the Hokies will be able to win in Tallahassee, however, they'll get help when Wake wins at Miami. Maryland suffers a let-down after beating Wake and falls to NC State. In the Billionaire Bowl, Duke can't get a road win against Vandy.

Bye Weeks
Clemson

Game of the Week
Florida State over Virginia Tech

Oct. 25
North Carolina over Boston College
Maryland over NC State
Wake Forest wins at Miami
Virginia wins at Georgia Tech
Vanderbilt over Duke

ACC Standings after Week 9

Atlantic
CLEM 6-1, 3-1
WAKE 6-1, 3-1
FSU 6-1, 3-1
MARY 5-3, 2-2
BC 5-2, 2-2
NCST 2-6, 1-3

Coastal
VT 6-2, 3-1
UVA 5-3, 3-1
MIA 5-3, 2-2
UNC 3-5, 1-3
GT 3-5, 1-4
DUKE 3-4, 0-3

2008 VT Stat Projection: Defense

Lot of new faces out there. Two new starters in the secondary. Another, Kam Chancellor, is at a new position. Two new starters at linebacker, although both are redshirt seniors. Three new starters on the defensive line and not much depth at defensive tackle.

This will be the big test of Bud Foster's abilities as a defensive coordinator. He's earned the reputation as one of the best, if not THE best in the country. If he cranks out another Top 10 defense this year, he's King Bud in my book.

While I believe the defense won't be as stout as the last four years (how could it?), it won't be a significant step down. Foster's an excellent coach and the Hokies have much better talent than they did in 2003, the year of which we will not speak.

My primary concern is at defensive tackle. Although, freshman Vinston Painter's move from the offensive line to defensive tackle alleviates some of that concern. He will provide depth and from all reports, he's going to be an excellent player.

The linebackers won't be as athletic as the last four years, but they'll get the job done. The pressure will be on the secondary to maintain its dominance. The linebackers helped a lot in pass coverage last year.

However, I think the Hokies will put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, which will help the secondary out. Should be a solid year for the defense. Last year, the Hokies gave up 296.93 yards per game, good enough for No. 4 in the country and No. 1 in the ACC. It was the third consecutive year the Hokies led the ACC in total defense and the fourth consecutive year the Hokies led the conference in scoring defense.

2008 Hokies Rush Defense: 115.0 YPG
2008 Hokies Pass Defense: 200.0 YPG
2008 Hokies Total Defense: 315.0 YPG

If the Hokies had given up 315.0 YPG in 2007 they would have ranked No. 12 in the country in total defense. I think the rush yards per game will be higher this season because the front seven is inexperienced and faces more run-oriented teams this year in Nebraska and the new Georgia Tech. They last gave up that many YPG on the ground in 2004, when they gave up 115.23 YPG rushing, ranking No. 21 in the country. That year, they faced teams with tremendous rushing offenses like USC and Auburn. NC State also had TA McClendon that year.

Still, a defense ranked in the Top 15 would be good for this team if the offense is able to improve as I think it will.

Non-Con Games to Watch

Here's a pithy look at some non-conference games to circle on the calendar in both the ACC and around the country:

ACC

Aug. 28: NC State at South Carolina
- Both teams have major issues at quarterback. How many different QBs will see the field in this one? Six is a possibility.
Aug. 30: Clemson vs. Alabama (Atlanta)
- Will Clemson's O-line be able to open holes for Davis and Spiller against a quality SEC opponent?
Aug. 30: Virginia vs. USC
- Shouldn't be very close.
Aug. 30: Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina (Charlotte)
- This won't be a gimme. A lot of new faces for the Hokies. A lot of familiar ones for the Pirates.
Sept. 6: Miami at Florida
- Can Miami keep it respectable against Tebow, Harvin & Co. in The Swamp?
Sept. 6: Wake Forest vs. Ole Miss
- The Rebels should be improved under Houston Nutt. But Wake should win this one.
Sept. 11: North Carolina at Rutgers
- Rutgers beat UNC in Chapel Hill, but that was with Ray Rice. This will be the first big test of how good the Tar Heels are.
Sept. 13: Maryland vs. Cal
- Two teams with QB questions.
Sept. 20: Georgia Tech vs. Mississippi State
- The Bulldogs were one of the most-improved teams in the SEC last year. The Yellow Jackets are installing a new offense. Should be fun to watch.
Sept. 20: Miami at Texas A&M
- The Aggies were out-classed by the 'Canes last year. But Texas A&M's new president is desperate for a win over Miami.
Sept. 27: Florida State vs. Colorado (Jacksonville)
- Colorado will be a lot better in 2008. So will the 'Noles.
Sept. 27: Virginia Tech at Nebraska
- See you on O Street.
Oct. 11: North Carolina vs. Notre Dame
- Everyone thinks the Irish will be one of the more improved teams of 2008. We'll see.
Oct. 25: Duke at Vanderbilt
- A road win in the SEC would be a big boost for the Blue Devils.
Nov. 8: Boston College vs. Notre Dame
- Another home game for the ACC against the Irish. BC has the defense. But can they put up enough points?
Nov. 29: Florida State vs. Florida
- A home game for the 'Noles against a Florida team that will be in the hunt for a championship game bid.

Nation

Aug. 30: Missouri vs. Illinois (St. Louis)
- Missouri beat rivals Illinois and Kansas last year. The Illini and Jayhawks were selected for at-large BCS berths. The Tigers went to the Cotton Bowl. This made me laugh for a long, long time. Right up until the Hokies lost to KU.
Aug. 30: Utah at Michigan
- Could the Wolvies drop consecutive home openers? It's possible. A win here and Utah is a treat to run the table. They have a very good defense.
Sept. 1: UCLA at Tennessee
- First game for Slick Rick and Norm Chow at UCLA. Tennessee will have a new quarterback.
Sept. 6: Texas Tech at Nevada
- Points. Lots and lots of sexy points.
Sept. 13: Oklahoma at Washington
- Stoops doesn't have good luck with true road games against the Pac 10. Can Jake Locker and the Huskies pull off the upset?
Sept. 13: Wisconsin at Fresno State
- We'll find out how good both teams are in Week 3.
Sept. 20: Georgia at Arizona State
- The 'Dawgs make a trip west of the Mississippi to face one of last year's most improved teams.
Oct. 25: Auburn at West Virginia
- A lot of tough road non-conference games for the SEC this year. Both of these teams will be title contenders.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 8

Week 8 in the ACC
The first full slate of six conference games comes in Week 8. I'm picking Maryland to upset Wake Forest because Wake will have just played two tough opponents in the four weeks leading up to this one and because Maryland is always good for an upset at home. Last year they beat Boston College in College Park. Also, look for Virginia to hold serve at home against North Carolina. This will be a good game as by Week 8 I think the 'Hoos will be decent enough to beat teams that are at their level, like the Tar Heels.

Bye Weeks
None!

Game of the Week
Maryland over Wake Forest

Oct. 16
Florida State wins at NC State

Oct. 18
Virginia Tech wins at Boston College
Clemson over Georgia Tech
Miami over Duke
Virginia over North Carolina

ACC Standings after Week 8

Atlantic
CLEM 6-1, 3-1
WAKE 5-1, 2-1
FSU 5-1, 2-1
MARY 5-2, 2-1
BC 5-1, 2-1
NCST 1-6, 0-3

Coastal
VT 6-1, 3-0
MIA 5-2, 2-1
UVA 4-3, 2-1
GT 3-4, 1-3
DUKE 3-3, 0-3
UNC 2-5, 0-3

2008 VT Stat Projection: Offense

Last year, the Hokies were No. 100 in the country in total offense and still won 11 games. Their 330.5 yards per game was good enough for 8th in the conference. However, their 28.71 points per game was 2nd behind Clemson. How? The defense. Directly or indirectly, the Tech defense helped account for a lot of points.

It wasn't just Beamerball with non-offensive touchdowns. It was creating turnovers and winning the field position battle. The Hokies worked with a short field a lot in 2007 and it attributed to both the high ranking in points per game and the low ranking in yards per game.

Of course, it didn't help that for the first half of the season the offense was inept at best. But this year, we should see a more effective offense even without any returning starters at running back or wide receiver.

The offensive line is greatly improved. It's light-years ahead of where the Hokies were at O-line last year. There will be holes for running backs to run through and I expect them to find them. There will be time for the quarterback to make decisions and I expect them to make the right ones. The O-line dictates everything on offense and Tech has a solid front.

So, on with the projections for the Hokies on offense.

Last year, Tech averaged 133.64 yards per game rushing and 196.86 yards per game passing. Those numbers won't be significantly higher, but I believe they will be improved.

2008 Hokie Rushing Yards: 155.0 YPG
2008 Hokie Passing Yards: 230.0 YPG
2008 Hokie Total Yards: 380.0 YPG

A caveat here: I think Tyrod Taylor will get a lot of rushing yards. I think he will end up splitting time with Sean Glennon and we'll see Tyrod use his feet. Also, with the improved offensive line, there will be fewer sacks. Glennon "rushed" for (-43) yards last year thanks mainly to sacks.

Glennon, meanwhile, won't have the same targets he had to throw to last year. However, he'll be upright a lot more than last year and when you give Glennon time to throw he's pretty good.

Last year, 385.0 YPG would have put the Hokies at No. 69 in the nation. That would be a big improvement over the last couple of years. It would also alleviate some pressure on offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who a lot of Hokie fans can't stand. Yes, the offense is stale and often depressing. But for the athletes Tech has, it works. Other than Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones, the offense hasn't been very talented since Michael Vick left after the 2000 season.

The Hokies Under Stinespring
2007: 330.50 YPG - No. 100 NCAA - No. 8 ACC
2006: 295.15 YPG - No. 99 NCAA - No. 9 ACC
2005: 380.92 YPG - No. 57 NCAA - No. 4 ACC
2004: 365.54 YPG - No. 65 NCAA - No. 4 ACC
2003: 401.77 YPG - No. 38 NCAA - No. 3 BE
2002: 371.64 YPG - No. 64 NCAA - No. 5 BE

I'm not a complete Stiney detractor. By all accounts he's a great guy and Coach Beamer trusts him. But how many offensive coordinators have been outside the Top 50 in total offense every year but one for the last six years and kept their jobs?

Stinespring hasn't had the talent the produce a top offense at Virginia Tech, but he might soon. If the offense improves this year he will get the chance to coach those players. But if the offense is again ranked as low as it has been the last two years, will the heat on him be enough that Beamer will move on? I think it might.

If the offense improves like I think it will this year, I think it will keep improving. The Hokies are finally starting to get top talent on offense with Tyrod, Ryan Williams and Dyrell Roberts. The future finally looks bright on the offensive side of the ball.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 7

Week 7 in the ACC
Not a lot of games this week in the ACC as half the conference has the week off. Virginia Tech finally takes a week off after playing the first six weeks of the season. Maybe the biggest game in the conference of the season goes to Wake Forest. They have a home game, will be able to stop Clemson's run game and Clemson has yet to win a big game under Tommy Bowden. The Tigers seem to have Wake's number, but look for the Deacs to finally get a win in the series. After Week 7, we will be half-way through the regular season.

Bye Weeks
Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, Duke

Oct. 9 and Game of the Week
Wake Forest over Clemson

Oct. 11
Notre Dame wins at North Carolina
Virginia over ECU
Miami over UCF
Georgia Tech over Gardner-Webb

ACC Standings after Week 7

Atlantic
WAKE 5-0, 2-0
BC 5-0, 2-0
CLEM 5-1, 2-1
FSU 4-1, 1-1
MARY 4-2, 1-1
NCST 1-5, 0-2

Coastal
VT 5-1, 2-0
MIA 4-2, 1-1
UVA 3-3, 1-1
GT 3-3, 1-2
DUKE 3-2, 0-2
UNC 2-4, 0-2

2008 Mid-Major Football Predictions

No one cares about the non-BCS conferences until one of them upsets a good team. Well, that could happen this year. Watch out for Utah, RichRod. No, really, I think the Utes will beat Michigan. Here are the mid-majors to watch:

Utah (MWC) - Really good on defense. Solid quarterback. I think they'll beat Michigan.

BYU (MWC) - Really good on offense. Best quarterback you've never heard of in Max Hall. Good on defense. BYU-Utah could be a battle of the unbeatens. Seriously.

East Carolina (CUSA) - Beat Boise State (OMG! Boise State!) in the Hawai'i Bowl last season. Skip Holtz is a good coach. Need consistent QB play.

Fresno State (WAC) - A lot of preseason mags think they'll be this year's Boise State or Hawai'i and make a BCS run. I think they're going to suck. So you may want to watch that.

North Texas (SBC) - If anything, they'll be fun to watch. TADD DADGE has had his system in place for a whole year and now his son will likely be his quarterback. The University of Southlake Carroll will put up a lot of points.

Central Michigan (MAC) - If they didn't play Georgia, I'd think they could run the table. I really like their quarterback, Dan LeFevour.

2008 Gobbler Country Expectations

Here's what I, as an over-zealous fan with Internet access, would like to see out of the 2008 edition of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team:

1. Go Undefeated at Home
This one needs to happen. The Hokies have lost at least one game at home every year since 2001. This time, the schedule is easy enough to make it probably. The Hokies need to regain sense of invincibility at Lane Stadium. It isn't there anymore.

2. Have an Offense in the Top 70
The Hokies were ranked No. 100 in total offense in 2007 and No. 99 in 2006. Let's try to work on that.

3. Have a Defense Ranked in the Top 20
I expect the D to take a step back this year after losing so much talent. But I don't think it will be a step all the way back to 2003.

4. Develop the Young Talent
Don't redshirt Tyrod. Let him continue to improve as a quarterback and leader of the offense. This is Glennon's team, but having Tyrod on the field makes a lot more sense than letting him sit on the bench all year. If Ryan Williams, Dyrell Roberts and other freshman are ready, let them see the field and experience the speed of D1 football.

5. Win in Tallahassee or Miami
I think one of these two games are going to be a loss. But if the Hokies drop both, they will be in serious jeopardy or losing the Coastal.

6. Beat UNC and Win the Division
I'm tired of reading about how UNC is ready to start staking its claim under Butch Davis. Is Butchie really that good a coach? We'll find out in Week 4. Crush them, please.

7. Win the Bowl Game
I hate spending the money to travel to these things only to see an unprepared team that used the bowl as a reward get beat by an inferior team (except UGa, they were pretty good that year). There was no excuse for losing to Kansas. If you're going to not give a shit in the bowl, at least tell me in advance so I don't waste my time and money and fly down to Miami.

Coming next week: Projections for the hokie offense, defense and selected players in 2008.