The Hokies So Far- Virginia Tech started the season 2-0 after an over time victory over Georgia Tech on Labor Day and a win over FCS school Austin Peay. They followed that up by losing 3 of their next 4 to Pittsburgh (in blow out fashion), Cincinnati (on a late pass from Munchie Leagux) and North Carolina, with a win over Bowling Green thrown in there. They were able to beat Duke soundly at home, but they were then beaten by Clemson before dropping consecutive Thursday night games to Miami and Florida State. The Hokies were able to defeat Boston College and Virginia in their last two games in order to attain Bowl eligibility.
Coaching- Frank Beamer is in his 26th season as the head coach at his alma mater Virginia Tech, and he is the longest tenured coach at the FBS level right now. Beamer owns a 215-104-2 record as the head Hokie, and he has won 7 conference titles (3 Big East, 4 ACC) in those 26 seasons. Beamer's teams have attained all this success by playing "Beamer Ball," which entails being a tough, physical, run first offense, playing great defense and making big plays on special teams. Beamer holds special teams in a higher regard than most coaches, and the Hokies were once the preeminent program in the country when it came to special teams, but their success has fallen off in recent years. The Hokies have also had to go to more of a spread attack to run the ball in order to accommodate the talent on the team, but Beamer still wants them to be a run first offense. Tech's defenses have remained as tough as ever though. Beamer's teams are always flled with very tough players, and they all buy into the program's blue collar mentality, and they have a lunch pail to prove it.
Bud Foster, who has been with Beamer since 1979 when Beamer was the defensive coordinator and Foster was one of his linebackers at Murry State, leads the defense. Along with Beamer, Foster has built very tough defenses over the years, using their pressure heavy 4-4 G scheme, which has adapted to offenses changing over the years. Brian Stienspring and Mike O'Cain are basically the co-offensive coordinators, and they both appear to be on the way out after the bowl game, following years of criticism from the fans and media for being overly conservative in their play calling.
Offense- 80th in PPG, 81st in yards per rush, 94th in passing efficiency, 82nd in yards per play
The Hokies' offense has struggled mightily this year, after they had to replace almost their entire unit from a year ago. Logan Thomas, came into this season with very high expectations on the heels of a strong 2011 campaign, but he has taken steps back with a worse group around him. He struggles big time with his accuracy and decision making, but he has a dangerous skill set as a massive (6'6'' 260) duel threat, and he is just as capable of making an amazing play as he is a poor one. He has a rocket for an arm and shows nice touch on his deep passes. Thomas is also the leading rusher for the Hokies, using his power between the tackles more than his speed in space.
The offensive line in front of him does a solid job pass protecting, even against blitzes, but they leave a lot to be desired in the run blocking department. They deliver some nice down blocks on power plays, but they are usually stalemated when blocking a guy man to man, and they give up too much penetration on zone plays. They are waist benders with poor technique. The group featured four new starters at the beginning of the year, and they have gotten a bit better as the season progressed, but they have been very poor overall. Their best player up front is guard Michael Via, who was honorable mention all ACC selection.
The Hokies have three tailbacks with at least 60 carries, and they have had trouble finding a lead back to replace David Wilson. JC Coleman, a speedy freshman who runs outside in space, leads the trio in carries, while Tony Gregory and Michael Holmes are the power backs who run inside. Marcus Davis is the team's leading receiver, and he is a lot like Rutgers' receivers in the fact that he is very big and fast, but has problems with drops and is not as productive as he "should" be. Unlike RU's WRs however, his effort as blocker is.....not very good, to put it lightly. Corey Fuller is the team's second leading receiver and he is a former tack star.
Virginia Tech's offensive schemes is similar to Louisville's, as they run a lot of plays out of the pistol, spread you out to pass, and run some I-formation. Instead of running a lot of bootlegs like the Cardinals, the Hokies will sprint Thomas out quite often, and he uses his arm strength to take shots down field. Tech seems to run a lot of crossing routes on third downs as well. The Hokies will run inside zone plays to run down hill out of the pistol, attack the perimeter out of spread sets, and man block out of the I. Their go to run play is the inverted veer option, where Thomas will either take it himself up the gut or hand it off to Coleman, who will stretch the play top the outside.
Defense- 39th in PPG, 37th in yards per rush, 24th in passing efficiency, 25th in yards per play
Virginia Tech has two very good corners in Antone Exum and Kyle Fuller. Fuller is the boundary corner who plays very loose in coverage and is a fast player who can keep up with receivers down the field. Exum is a converted safety, and he is a big, physical player who will press receivers that the line. Exum also has very good ball skills, leading the ACC in passes defended this season. Both of their safeties are very good against the run, and do a solid job covering tight ends and slot receivers. The Hokies have a very good secondary overall, but they have given up some big plays through the air.
Virginia Tech has a strong front 7 that features linebackers who are all smart, instinctive players. Junior Jack Tyler is their best player on defense, leading the team in tackles with 112 and Senior Bruce Taylor is an explosive blitzer who makes a lot of plays in the backfield. Defensive end James Gayle is a very good pass rusher and Derrick Hopkins is a big run stuffer at defensive tackle.
Virginia Tech runs a pretty unique defensive scheme, the 4-4 G. In this defense, they utilize an under front and usually walk a rover down into the box as an eight run defender. This defense is difficult to run against, but they have had trouble stopping smaller, shifty backs (similar to Jawan Jamison) this season. Against the pass, Foster loves to dial up zone blitzes to confuse the quarterback, dropping lineman back into coverage and sending corner off the edge every so often. The Hokies usually play cover 3 behind these blitzes, but the primary coverage they use is quarters, which allows both safeties to play close to the line of scrimmage.
Conclusion
Virginia Tech had a down year this year as they had to replace most of their offense from a year ago, but they still have a very strong defense and a quarterback in Logan Thomas who is capable of greatness. They have gotten away from what has made them one of the most consistently strong programs in the nation a bit, as they don't run down hill as much and have not maintained their extraordinary special teams play, but they still have a tough, blue collar mentality that Frank Beamer's teams always do. Virginia Tech is a well respected program, and Rutgers could gain more respect for themselves if they are able to defeat their former conference mates.
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