While the Virginia Tech Hokies sat at just 5-3 after eight weeks last year, Frank Beamer’s squad put it together and won their final five games to finish at 10-3. QB Tyrod Taylor and many of the leaders on offense are back and the Hokies have high hopes in 2010. The running game should be one of the best in the nation, but the defense does have several question marks as youngsters must fill some big shoes in order to keep this unit’s production from sliding.

In Frank Beamer’s tenure as coach at Virginia Tech, it has generally been all about special teams and defense leading the way. The special teams should still be one of the best, but one would think the offense might have to lead the way this year for the Hokies to contend in the national title race. Beamer will expect his eight new defensive starters to hold their own, and he’ll also expect the offense to control the football.

College Football Predictions: Virginia Tech Offensive Preview

The Virginia Tech Hokies offense should be extremely strong in 2010. With Tyrod Taylor under center and Ryan Williams and Darren Evans splitting time at tailback, they will have two amazing runners in the backfield at all times. Evans went down with an injury last year, but he was sensational two years ago. You could argue that these two form the best running back duo in the country. Taylor has improved his passing ability and decision making each year, so he should be one of the better quarterbacks in the country this year. The wide receiver unit is deep, and these guys will consistently get open for Taylor. The offensive line will be solid again, with three of their five starters returning in 2010. The Hokies offense may be the most talented group Frank Beamer has ever had in Blacksburg. Expect this unit to control the football and put plenty of points on the board.

Virginia Tech Defensive Preview

This is the side of the football that Virginia Tech fans are worried about in 2010. The defense lost eight of its top 13 tacklers from a year ago, and graduation and early entrants to the NFL Draft hit the defensive line particularly hard. Both defensive ends left, and the Hokies will likely struggle to put as much pressure on quarterbacks this year. The linebackers are a solid group, but questions about Barquell Rivers’ health are extremely concerning. This team needs Rivers healthy, because he is the clear leader of this defense at this point. The secondary is fast and full of athletes, but some of them are quite raw. The Hokies and coordinator Bud Foster always have a good defense, so I think this group will be solid, but it would be shocking if there isn’t some drop off compared to last year’s defense.

Virginia Tech Question Marks

The defensive line is the biggest question mark on this team. Can they continue to stuff the run the way they have in previous years? Can they put enough pressure on the quarterback to take the heat off their secondary? These are big unknowns heading into the season.

The offense will be very good, but for it to be great they’ll need Taylor to continue to develop in the passing game. The Hokies will beat most teams just with their rushing attack, but they’ll need balanced attack against the best teams on their schedule.

Virginia Tech Football Futures Odds

The oddsmakers aren’t quite as high on the Hokies as they were a year ago, largely because of the question marks surrounding the defense. Still, 5dimes has Virginia Tech listed as the eighth favorite to win the BCS Championship at +2200. The Hokies are listed at +175 to win the ACC Coastal Division and +260 to win the ACC Championship overall. Sportsbook.com has set the team total for wins in 2010 at 9.5 games. Currently, ‘over’ 9.5 wins is listed at -120 and ‘under’ 9.5 wins is even money.

2010 Virginia Tech Football Schedule- Key Games

The 2010 Virginia Tech football schedule gets interesting right from the beginning, as the Hokies will play Boise State in their season opener at Fed Ex Field. After this game, the 2010 Virginia Tech football schedule gets much easier until the stretch run in the ACC Conference. Keep a close eye on their back-to-back games at North Carolina and at Miami on Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. These will be a couple big tests for this Hokies team before they finish up at home against rival Virginia.

2010 Virginia Tech Football Predictions

The ACC is not loaded, but it also isn’t a weak conference this year. Virginia Tech will have several tough tests on the road, and it’s unlikely they’ll win all of those games with such a young defense. It will be up to the offense to keep the chains moving, and keep the defense off the field this year. I don’t think this team is good enough to win it all, but I think this could certainly be a Top 5 team at the conclusion of the season.  

Doc’s Sports has become known as one of the brightest and most successful college football handicappers in the nation and Doc is primed for one of his best years ever in 2010-11. Here ay Doc’s Sports we provide both college football picks and NFL picks in one package so you can get the best of both worlds for all your football betting needs. Check our homepage for up-to-the-minute college football odds and daily exclusive college football betting articles.