Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview
Week 7
Virginia Tech (October 17th)
The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues
with the preview of the Virginia Tech Hokies, who come into Sun Life on October
17th.
This
is an important year for Virginia Tech. This team is at a crossroads. For
years, all this team did was won ACC titles. They did so in 6 of their first 8
years in the league. Since their last title in 2010, they’re just 12-12 in the
league and for the fans up in Blacksburg, that’s a cause for concern. They
needed a 6-6 season just to prevent missing the postseason for the first time
since 1992. That season, they went 2-8-1. They did win a bowl game last year,
and that alone kept a streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons. The question
has to be asked, which fork in the road the Hokies make in 2015.
Let’s talk about Virginia Tech’s offense
The
time is now for the Hokies with third-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler
in charge there. The first two years, it was a matter of players understanding
his system, and dealing with injuries and plenty of inexperienced players.
However, now, with all the key players for them coming back, which includes QB
Michael Brewer, a Texas Tech transfer who was at best, inconsistent. While
Brewer threw for 18 touchdowns and 2,692 yards, he also had 15 interceptions,
with 11 of those coming in the first six games.
He
has much more experience now, as well as his weapons offensively. Back are WRs
Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips, who combined for 96 catches, 1,207 yards and nine
touchdowns as freshmen, and when you add TE Bucky Hodges, who basically
destroyed all their school’s tight end records with 45 catches, 526 yards and
seven touchdown. Mind you, he did this as a redshirt freshman. That tells you
that their Receiving corps is going to be dangerous this year given the
experience they have.
As
for the running game, that’s the key question. With Shai McKenzie and Marshawn
Williams coming off ACL injuries (the former having off the field/legal
issues), there will be questions on whether or not they can come back and be
effective. The key is having 2013 leading rusher Trey Edmunds at 100% health.
They also have back J.C. Coleman, who showed he could carry the load after
rushing for 468 yards in the final four games of 2014.
Another
key question is the offensive line. Their staff believes that their starting
five could have a big year here. The one that’s expected to be the leader of
the line is LG Wyatt Teller. Teller is a guy who could mix it up and be a true bruiser
in the trenches. He came in the middle of last season into the starting lineup,
and turned out to be their O-line MVP. The big if’s here are:
- · The O-Line coming together
- · Their younger players step up and make plays.
- · Brewer can eliminate the turnovers in key spots.
If
they do all that, their Offense will be hard to stop.
Let's talk about the Virginia Tech Defense
As
for the defense, you know what you’re going to see from a Bud Foster defense
and that’s aggressive defense, blitzes, and good coverage from the secondary.
This group is no different. Their strength, as usual is in the trenches and on
the back end, specifically the secondary. They have back on the D-Line, four
starting defensive linemen who have earned All-ACC recognition in their
careers. They have back DT Luther Maddy, who’s back off a medical redshirt, and
he’ll be paired with undersized but quick Corey Marshall on the interior. Their
ends are even better than their interior players. At the ends, they have back
Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem, who combined for 18.5 sacks and 33 tackles for a loss
last year, the most productive D-line tandem in the ACC. They will be a force
to be dealt with for opposing O-Line coaches and Offensive Coordinators.
As
for the secondary, it’s a fluid situation there, when you consider there were spring
absences. Make no mistake though, they have a top level CB in All-American Kendall
Fuller back. The big key is that they
need Brandon Facyson to stay healthy at the other Corner position. If he stays
healthy, look for the Hokies to move Chuck Clark back to Safety. While, this group
gave up a ton of big plays in 2014, they have the talent to shut people down.
At
LB, is where the biggest question lies on Defense for the Hokies in 2015. They
have back Deon Clarke, but other than that, Andrew Motuapuaka is a first-year
starter. Still though, they have a defense that will once again rush the passer
and cover top the opponent’s top receivers, which has been a trademark of a Bud
Foster Defense.
Let's talk about the Virginia Tech Special Teams
As
for their special teams, this is a trademark of Frank Beamer teams, hence the
term “Beamerball”. However, it’s slacked off in recent years. Though Kicker
Joey Slye (20-of-28 on field goals) has the leg to go 50-plus, he need to fix
the accuracy issues. Punter A.J. Hughes is coming off back surgery, which in part,
might explain why his average fell off from 44.1 in 2013 to 39.9 in 2014. As
for their Punt Return game, they have a guy that could break a big one at any
time in Greg Stroman. In 2014, he nearly broke half a dozen punt returns for
touchdowns. The big issue here is kick return game. That’s been lacking the last
few seasons in Blacksburg and that could use a boost in 2015.
What to expect from Virginia Tech
Looking at them on tape, you
know what you’re going to get from a Beamer/Foster team and that’s Special
Teams, Defense and a physical running game.
Foster is a master of giving different
looks on defense (ask Ohio State last year about the Foster defense).
Below is from their 2015 Spring Game
Below is from the Military Bowl vs Cincinnati
Below are the highlights from our win in Blacksburg last year
Below is the CANES O vs VT D
In this game, I expect the
CANES to come out after an expected tough loss in Tallahassee and play much
better vs the Hokies at home. Now, it won’t be like the 30-6 game in Blacksburg
last year, in the end though, expect to see a solid CANES victory.
Up Next: 10/24 vs Clemson
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