2014
Virginia Tech
Football Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Despite having a subpar offense last season, Virginia Tech still contended for a division title in the wide open Coastal division of the ACC. And despite losing three-year starter Logan Thomas at quarterback, this team should once again be contending at the top of the division. The Hokies’ record dropped the past two years, but they are hoping for more in the offensive coordinator’s second season.
The Hokies are listed at whopping odds of 200 to 1 to win the National Title and 16 to 1 to win the ACC. Those odds can be found at 5 dimes sportsbook.
The best news Virginia Tech got this summer was the news of Texas Tech QB Michael Brewer transferring to the team. While there will still be a competition with Brenden Motley and Mark Leal, Brewer has the better pedigree coming from the Red Raiders. If he can prove to be at least somewhat competent, this offense can improve.
The receiving corps is better than a year ago with Demitri Knowles (641 yards) and Joshua Stanford (640 yards) back. Running backs Trey Edmunds (10 TDs) and J.C. Coleman should also see a heavy dose of touches, much like a year ago. The problem is that the Hokies averaged 3.2 yards per carry as a team. The offensive line has their third coach in as many years and will likely feature a couple underclassmen. If the line can’t open the holes, this offense may struggle again.
The defense will once again be this team’s strong suit as expected even with only Four starters returning. The front seven is mostly new, but senior DTs LUther Maddy and Corey Marshall are two of the best in the Conference playing in the middle. If they can plug that area, this defense should be fine. It’s looking like this group’s best advantage will be speed and that starts with possibly the ACC’s best secondary. They have two seniors at safety, complemented by a couple sophomores at cornerback.
A bowl Game should be a given with this team no matter how the quarterback position turns out. Virginia Tech’s toughest home Game will come against Miami in the middle of the season. Unfortunately, that means they have to travel to North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Duke, all of whom should be competing for the top of the Coastal division.
A road Game at Ohio State in the Hokies second Game will test their limits, especially against the outstanding Braxton Miller. If they can get through that one without getting embarrassed, this should be a hopeful season. Getting past a dynamic East Carolina team in the next Game is also important. If those Games don’t go well, the Hokies could have a troubled year, but still manage six or seven wins due to a favorable home Schedule.
It’s going to fall on the offense to get the ball moving for Virginia Tech to reach the eight-win mark. Above that just seems unlikely at this point, unless the offense takes major strides without Logan Thomas.
2014 Virginia Tech Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. William & Mary
Sept. 6 at Ohio State
Sept. 13 vs. East Carolina
Sept. 20 vs. Georgia Tech
Sept. 27 vs. Western Michigan
Oct. 4 at North Carolina
Oct. 16 at Pittsburgh
Oct. 23 vs. Miami (FL)
Nov. 1 vs. Boston College
Nov. 15 at Duke
Nov. 22 at Wake Forest
Nov. 28 vs. Virginia