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2011 Virginia Tech Hokies Gambling Odds | Predictions

NCAA football preview guide for the 2011 Virginia Tech Hokies NCAAF betting season. NCAA football gambling guru James Hayes weighs in with his college football picks, and BCS National champion cappers analysis…

2011-2012 Football Previews – Atlantic Coast Conference – Va Tech Hokies

Tech really is one of the steadiest programs you’ll find in college football. The Hokies have gone 49-11 in conference play since they joined the ACC in 2004, and have appeared in four of the six ACC title games.

ACC 2011-12 Football Previews: Virginia Tech Hokies
Coach: Frank Beamer
2010 Record: 11-3
Virginia Tech Gambling Odds from Bodog.eu to win BCS: +1500
Va Tech Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>

Head man Beamer is an elder statesman around the FCS these days, now in his 25th season holding the clipboard in Blacksburg.

There’s no reason to expect anything different from Tech this season. VT has enough of its characteristic depth and the schedule is not too brutal. The Hokies usually reap success from excellent defensive and special teams play, and a run-centric offense. All the personnel is in place for this to remain the status quo.

Team Strengths

The Hokies offensive line is experienced and talented, thanks to G Jaymes Brooks and outstanding tackle Blake DeChristopher. The hogs up front will grade for a rushing attack that isn’t as deep as 2010 (Darren Evans and Ryan Williams depart to the NFL) but still electric with former kick-return ace David Wilson as the starter. The receivers are long on experience and should also be productive.

The Tech “D” is still the good ole Tech “D”. The stars are CB Jayron Hosley, LB Bruce Taylor and DB Eddie Whitley. Also, look for a big season out of sophomore rover Antone Exum, who finished sixth on the team in tackles in ’10, as a freshman no less.

Bodies must be replaced on special teams, but any team coached by Frank Beamer always has an exemplary ST unit.

Team Weaknesses

Virginia Tech must generate more production from its defensive line. There wasn’t much of a pass rush last season, which is surprising from a program that usually has some freakish athletes at the DE position. Hokies fans will look to athletic redshirt frosh DE Zack McCray to be the catalyst. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Tech must replace QB Tyrod Taylor, who was a longtime starter that left Blacksburg as the school’s career passing leader. The job should go to Logan Thomas, who with size and mobility may remind a little of Cam Newton.

If Thomas can be one-tenth as dominant as Newton was for Auburn last year, then the Hokies will truly be in good shape.

2011-12 Virginia Tech Football Prediction: 12-2

Compared to most years, the schedule is kind to Virginia Tech in 2011. Tech’s toughest games are against Clemson, Miami and North Carolina, but the Hokies get all those opponents at Lane Stadium.

Virginia Tech lost some good players in the backfield in the off-season and the team simply doesn’t look as talented as fellow ACC power Florida State. Yet Beamer has proven time and again that his team is steady and will win games you don’t expect.

I expect the Hokies to lose the ACC title to the Seminoles this year, but it will be smooth sailing until then and it ought to be yet another ACC title appearance for the metronome-like Virginia Tech Hokies.

2011 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule

9/3/11 12:30 PM ET APPST
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @ECAR
9/17/11 4:00 PM ET ARKST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @MARSH
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET CLEM
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET MIAMI
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @WFRST
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET BCOLL
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @DUKE
11/10/11 8:00 PM ET @GATCH
11/17/11 8:00 PM ET NCAR
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET @VIRG

Click here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!