(Image via www.wsls.com)
Virginia Tech is coming off a disappointing 2018 season but there’s a lot of promise in 2019. Although 2019 started off poorly with a handful of players announcing their intent to transfer from the program, many of these players were not key players and there are guys who can easily replace them.
Projected Starters:
Offense (Backups)
QB: Ryan Willis (Quincy Patterson)
RB: Deshawn McClease (Keshawn King/Terius Wheatley)
WR’s: Damon Hazelton (1), Tre Turner (2), Hezekiah Grimsley (3) (Phil Patterson, Jaden Payoute, Tayvion Robinson)
TE: Dalton Keene (James Mitchell)
O-Line: Christian Darrisaw (LT), Lecitus Smith (LG), Zachariah Hoyt (C) Doug Nester (RG), Silas Dzansi (RT)
Defense
End’s: Emmanuel Belmar and Houshun Gaines
Tackles: Jarrod Hewitt and DaShawn Crawford
Inside Linebackers: Dax Hollifield and Rayshard Ashby
Whip: Khalil Ladler
Cornerback’s: Caleb Farley and Bryce Watts
Safeties: Reggie Floyd and Divine Deablo
Record Projection:
Week 1 @ Boston College (L)
The Hokies will open up the 2019 season on August 31st against ACC
Week 2 vs Old Dominion (W)
Possibly the biggest upset in 2018 was when Old Dominion defeated the 12th ranked Hokies. Don’t expect anything like that to happen again this year as the Hokies will be seeking revenge on the Monarchs. You can expect Virginia Tech to blow out Old Dominion and claim revenge from 2018. Hokies 55 ODU 0
Week 3 vs Furman (W)
The first of the Hokies 2 FCS opponents is against Furman on September 14th. The last time the Hokies faced Furman was in 2015 where the Hokies came out on top with a score of 42-3. Virginia Tech should have a similar outcome this year as they did in 2015. Hokies 42 Furman 10
Week 4 vs Duke (W)
Coming off their first Bye Week, the Hokies will take on the Duke Blue Devils at Home on September 27th, which is a Friday. The Blue Devils will be without their star quarterback Daniel Jones this season. Daniel was one of the reasons for the Blue Devils success this past season and many are predicting that Duke will struggle this year without him. The Hokies should be able to take care of business at home in this game and come out with a win. Hokies 38 Duke 20
Week 5 @ Miami (L)
The Hurricanes have had a great start to their 2019 season. After Mark Richt announced he was stepping down, Miami hired Manny Diaz as their Head Coach. Since then the Hurricanes have been dominating the transfer portal bringing in ex Ohio State QB Tate Martell and ex Virginia Tech DE Trevon Hill. Even though the Hurricanes have a new coach, things seem to be clicking in Miami. Miami will most likely win this game by a score or two and send the Hokies home with their first loss of the season. Hokies 28 Miam 38
Week 6 vs Rhode Island (W)
The Hokies take on their 2nd FCS opponent this season at Home vs Rhode Island on October 12th. The Hokies had to schedule this game after pulling out of the ‘Home and Away’ agreement with ECU. The Hokies should wallop Rhode Island in a very one-sided game. Hokies 52 URI 6
Week 7 vs North Carolina (W)
Like in 2018 this game will be depleted. Both teams bring back a lot of players from last season which gives them both a lot of potential. UNC underwent a staff change this year as they fired their Head Coach Larry Fedora and hired Mack Brown. The Tar Heels will most likely take a few years to adjust to their new coach and become a ‘good team’ again. Look for the Hokies to put down North Carolina early in this game and never give them a chance to get back in the game: Hokies 45 UNC 23
Week 8 @ Notre Dame (L)
Notre Dame comes into the 2019 season returning a lot of their guys from their 2018 team. Their star QB Ian Book returns and will lead Notre Dame’s offense once again. Notre Dame will be looking to make another run at the college football playoffs and will take no team lightly. Watch for a similar outing as 2018. The Hokies will keep Notre Dame in check and lead headed into halftime but Notre Dame will obliterate the Hokies in the 2nd half. Hokies 26 Notre Dame 39
Week 9 vs Wake Forest (W)
Wake Forest had a very up and down 2018 season. The Demon Deacons defeated NC State and Duke but lost to FSU. Nevertheless, Wake returns most of their starters in 2019. They could really challenge the Hokies at home as Virginia Tech starts to get lazy late in the season. Watch for a potential upset in this game as Wake Forest could catch the Hokies off guard. Hokies 36 Wake Forest 31
Week 10 @ Georgia Tech (W)
Time and time again the Hokies have struggled with Georgia Tech triple option offense. Now that Georgia Tech’s Head Coach has retired and most likely taken the triple option with him, the Hokies should be able to dismantle Georgia Tech this year. It will take Georgia Tech a few years to get used to their new Head Coach and a new offense. This should finaly be the year that Justin Fuente beats Georgia Tech. Expect a slower more defensive battle in this game. Hokies 27 Georgia Tech 16
Week 11 vs Pitt (W)
Pitt has
Week 12 @ Virginia (W)
Both Virginia Tech and Virginia return a lot of key players. The Wahoos return their star QB Bryce Perkins and their star CB Bryce Hall. This game will be very interesting as the Hokies will be looking to down their rivals for the 16th year in a row and Virginia will not only be looking to end their losing streak, but will also be looking to avenge their horrible 2018 loss. This game will be another close, suspenseful game where it will come down the very last possession to crow the winner. Hokies 34 Virgini 28
Final Regular Season Record: 9-3
Bold Predictions
Quincy Patterson Starts for the Hokies.
The Hokies win the Costal and play Clemson in the ACC Championship.
Virginia Tech will go 11-1 losing to Notre Dame.
Virginia Tech misses a Bowl game and ends with a 5-7 record.
Ryan Willis makes a Heisman run.
Virginia Tech cracks the Top 10 at one point in the season.
