NCAAF 2021 Virginia Tech Hokies: Make of Break Year for Fuente August 9, 2021 Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports NCAAF 2021 Virginia Tech Hokies: Make of Break Year for Fuente August 9, 2021 By: Mike Halterman email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article This is a big year for Virginia Tech as they try to get back to the upper echelon in a conference they once competed for championships in. It is also a huge year for Coach Justin Fuente who needs a major improvement from last year’s 5-6 record to keep his job in Blacksburg. The recruiting class was disappointing and there might be too many missing pieces for the strides that need to be made. Offense: There will be new QB in 2021 and RB Khalil Herbert has left for the NFL and the offensive line needs to plug up some holes also. But, there are reasons for optimism for the Hokies. QB Braxton Burmeister, a transfer from Oregon, started 4 games last year including the finale against Virginia and he will get the nod to start the season. He needs to emerge and be able to make plays. RB Raheem Blackshear was heavily hyped last year but didn’t pan out. He needs to realize his potential. There is big-play potential in the receiving corps and they need to step up. The offense will be serviceable at best and needs to get better as the season progresses. Defense: The defense had a poor year in 2020 and needs to bounce back. Five key starters are gone from a defense that allowed 32 points and 448 yards per game so that might not be a bad thing. There are transfers, DT Jordan Williams from Clemson and S Tae Daley from Vanderbilt who will step in immediately and DE Amare Barno is an emerging star. Because of Covid problems in the secondary, a lot of guys saw action and gained valuable experience. There are reasons to believe this group will be much better. Non-Conference Schedule: 9/11 Middle Tennessee 9/18 at West Virginia 9/25 Richmond 10/9. Notre Dame. This non-con schedule is definitely a challenge. The Middle Tennessee and Richmond games are must-wins of course. The game at West Virginia is very tough and the home game with Notre Dame will be a battle. If the Hokies can somehow win 3 of those games they might be headed to a good season. But 2-2 is more realistic. Conference Schedule: 9/3 North Carolina 10/16 Pittsburgh 10/23 Syracuse 10/30 at Georgia Tech 11/5 at Boston College 11/13 Duke 11/20 at Miami 11/27 at Virginia The conference schedule is very manageable and Clemson is missing. They start off with 3 straight home games and the opener against North Carolina could tip the whole season on the good side if the Hokies can win. Pitt, Syracuse, and Duke are must wins. The road games aren’t bad either. Georgia Tech, Boston College, and Virginia are certainly winnable and it is not a stretch to think that they could win in Miami. Summary: No matter what transpires this season in Blacksburg it will be interesting when you throw in the drama surrounding Fuente’s job security. If Virginia Tech can stay healthy the schedule sets up for them to have a decent year in the conference. They could finish 2nd and not finishing in the Top-3 will probably bring an end to he head coach. Predicted Finish: 3rd in the Coastal Division Overall Record: 7-5
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More