Early look: What to like about No. 13 Virginia Tech in 2017
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will give a more detailed look at the teams listed on our early top 25 for the 2017 college football season.
Up next: No. 13 Virginia Tech. A strong first season under Justin Fuente proved that there is life after Frank Beamer. Better yet, Fuente’s impressive start showed how the Hokies can still be a factor in the ACC after several years on the outskirts of title contention.
Why No. 13?
1. Simple logic. The simplest reason to expect Virginia Tech to remain near the top of the ACC this fall? Because the Hokies were there in 2016. Nothing points to a bright future at Tech quite like the program’s initial foray under Fuente, which despite a few slip-ups — a sloppy loss to Tennessee, an ugly one to Syracuse — should be viewed as a rousing success. While the personnel situation won’t be identical, last year’s start is perhaps the primary cause for optimism heading into the end of spring football.
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2. Fuente effect. His impact was seen most clearly on the offensive side of the ball, where the Hokies took a substantial move forward after years and years of inconsistency. As with the bigger picture, it makes sense that Tech would be even more comfortable with Fuente’s system heading into 2017 — even if there is a hole at quarterback that needs filling before kicking off the season against West Virginia on Sept. 3.
3. Ball protection. The Hokies’ battle with fumbles didn’t extend long beyond that loss to Tennessee, though some carelessness with the football did contribute to a November loss to Georgia Tech. It’s easy to see how another season in Fuente’s system will lead to fewer giveaways from the offense, if largely thanks to the growing sense of confidence and comfort in the scheme. What sort of difference will a decrease in turnovers make for Virginia Tech? It’s huge for every team, obviously, but all four of the Hokies’ losses in 2016 came when they lost the turnover battle.
Why not higher?
1. No proven quarterback. The Hokies weren’t supposed to lose Jerod Evans a year ahead of schedule. With the former junior-college transfer not back for his senior season, Virginia Tech is left evaluating three inexperienced options under center: redshirt freshman Josh Jackson, JUCO transfer A.J. Bush and true freshman Hendon Hooker. On one hand, the lack of experience — only Jackson brought any deep familiarity with offense into spring ball — is a major concern. On the other, the Hokies underwent a similar competition last spring and found Evans, who went on to produce one of the top seasons by a quarterback in program history.
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2. ACC Coastal Division. It’s become difficult to peg the Coastal, but one thing is certain entering the summer: Any one of four or five teams can make a realistic claim to being the preseason favorite. The division’s unpredictability is a potential roadblock for the Hokies, particularly if Miami continues to make strides under Mark Richt and Pittsburgh’s defense eventually finds a rhythm under Pat Narduzzi. In other words: Tech might be the preseason favorite in the Coastal, but navigating through the regular season won’t be easy.
Biggest games
--Vs. Clemson, Sept. 30
--At Miami (Fla.), Nov. 4
--Vs. Pittsburgh, Nov. 18
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Three players to know
1. LB Andrew Motuapuaka. With Motuapuaka and Tremaine Edwards leading the way, Tech’s linebackers will be a clear strength on defense.
2. S Terrell Edmunds. Moving from cornerback to free safety will lead to a few growing pains this offseason, but Edmunds has the athleticism and aggressiveness to earn all-conference honors on the back end.
3. TE Chris Cunningham. With Bucky Hodges off to the NFL, Cunningham will have a great opportunity to build on his solid freshman season in 2016.
PROJECTING THE PRESEASON TOP 25
