Virginia Tech Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

Virginia Tech Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 11-3 ACC Record: 8-0 2011 Returning Starters: 11; 6 offense. 5 defense

Coach: Frank Beamer , 198–95–2 (24 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Bryan Stinespring Defensive Coordinators: Bud Foster

2011 Virginia Tech Players to Watch: OB Logan Thomas. RB David Wilson, WR Jarrett Boykin, RT Blake DeChristopher, DE James Gayle, LB Bruce Taylor, CB Jayron Hosley, FS Eddie Whitley.

2011 Virginia Tech Strengths:
The offense again has plenty of gamebreakers, particularly now that Wilson, who might be the ACC’s fastest player, is the No.1 tailback. The wide receiver position has four guys capable of starting. The defense figures to be better with great depth In the back seven and two ends (Gayle, J.R. Collins) who can find the OB.

2011 Virginia Tech Weaknesses:
Can the Hokles improve against the run, which was a nettlesome concem last year? Will Thomas be an adequate replacement for Tyrod Taylor, or will he struggle with decision-making? Tech also has to fill holes at punter and kicker, although it has had great success with one-year kickers In the past four seasons.

2011 Virginia Tech Offense:

Sophomore Logan Thomas takes over for Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech’s all-time leader in passing yards. Thomas might not be as shifty as Taylor, and he certainly won’t have Taylor’s understanding of the position in Year 1. But Thomas, who stands 6’6″ and weighs 245 pounds, is five inches taller than Taylor and should have a better view of receivers cutting across the middle. Tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans left early for the NFL. Now, it’s junior David Wilson’s turn to see if he can match their accomplishments. Evans ran for 1,265 yards in 2008, an ACC freshman record. Williams ran for 1,655 yards in 2009, a school record. Wilson is an athletic marvel who has proven himself capable of being a big-play threat. He carried 113 times for 619 yards and five touchdowns last season, and caught 15 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. He also had kickoff returns for touchdowns of 90 and 92 yards. The Hokies don’t pass the ball very often 38 percent of the time last season, when Taylor blossomed into a complete quarterback. But they have an experienced group of wide receivers. Senior Jarrett Boykin is the best and should hold school records for career catches and yards by season’s end. The Hokies return four of five offensive line starters, including senior Blake DeChristopher, a fourth-year starter at right tackle. They should be deeper up front, which will benefit Thomas.

2011 Virginia Tech Defense:

It’s not too early to say that sophomore James Gayle might be Tech’s next great defensive end, following the likes of Chris Ellis, Darryl Tapp and Corey Moore. At tackle, sophomore Derrick Hopkins was dominant during spring practices. But coordinator Bud Foster wants more production from his outside linebacker spots in order for the Hokies to improve their run defense. While junior Bruce Taylor should be one of the ACC’s best linebackers, Tech’s questions are at the Backer and Whip outside linebacker positions. At Backer, sophomore Tariq Edwards takes over for Lyndell Gibson, who decided to transfer after an inconsistent 2010 season. Edwards should be rangier and faster than Gibson. Last season, Foster essentially eliminated his Whip in favor of a nickel package, because Jeron Gouveia-Winslow wasn’t good enough in pass coverage. But the nickel had liabilities in blitzing and run defense, so Foster wants to get back to using the Whip more, as long as that player can thrive in pass coverage. To that end, Gouveia-Winslow and fellow junior Alonzo Tweedy both impressed during spring. If junior cornerback Jayron Hosley plays as well as he did last season, you have to think he’ll turn pro. He was an All-American at the field corner spot, but with the departure of Rashad Carmichael, he likely will move to the boundary, which requires more man-to-man defense.

2011 Virginia Tech Special Teams:

For the second straight year, the Hokies are breaking in a new punter and kicker. Coale, who tried punting late in the spring and averaged 44 yards in the spring game, and Scott Demler appear to be the best possibilities to punt. Placements look like they’ll be handled by local product Cody Journell, who has big shoes to fill. Last year’s kicker, Chris Hazley, missed his first field goal attempt and then made the next 21 to win All-ACC honors.

2011 Virginia Tech Football Schedule | Virginia Tech Football Sportsbooks

2011 Virginia Tech Predictions:

Even with a new quarterback, Virginia Tech should be the class of the Coastal Division. The schedule sets up favorably, with four winnable non-conference games to open the season. The Hokies also host Miami and won’t play Florida State or NC State during the regular season. They’re a dark horse national title contender.

2011 Virginia Tech Betting Odds:

Virginia Tech Current odds to win a National Championship: +1500

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