What Are Your Expectations for Virginia Tech Football in 2011?

by furrer4heisman on Mar 31, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in Virginia Tech Football

Virginia Tech's 2010 football season was bittersweet. The Hokies were 11-3, but each loss left a horrible taste in the mouths of everyone emotionally involved with the program. But sandwiched between and 0-2 start and a humbling bowl-game loss was a magical 11-game win streak that culminated with the Hokies' fourth ACC championship in seven seasons.

After experiencing a season of euphoric highs and abysmal lows, the Hokies experienced an offseason of change. Gone are the team's hear and soul, home run hitter and shut-down corner. Even more change was seen in the coaching staff, as Virginia Tech invested heavily in its future by adding coaching positions and shuffling the duties of its offensive staff.

So after all we've seen, what are we to expect in 2011? Will this be a season of transition where the Hokies are able to maintain its recent success and set up future successes? Will it be a season of regression where the rest of the ACC is finally able to get its whacks on Virginia Tech and its new quarterback? Or will it be a season of instant gratification where the staff upheaval leads to heights the team hasn't seen in over a decade?

What I want to know is what your expectations are for the team in 2011 as we enter fall practice. We'll ask this question again when we get closer to the first weekend in September to see if they've changed.

You can answer with what record you think the Hokies should have this season or based on progression of the program as a whole. Either way, the floor is yours: What are your expectations for the Hokies this upcoming season?

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10-2 is my guess. Probably the highest ranking (or at least 2nd highest) ACC team by the end of the regular season, but NOT playing in the ACCCG.

by vt caps fan on Mar 31, 2011 8:05 AM EDT reply actions

I see 10-2 (6-2), and either winning or tying for the division championship.

'11: Minimum Goal: 9-3 Regular Season. Given FSU's non-con slate, don't care who the 9 are.
'10: 7th in offense, 41st in defense. Division Champions. 10-4. (6-3)
'09: 8th in offense, 88th in defense. 7-6 (4-4)

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by Bud Elliott on Mar 31, 2011 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

I hate to sound like such an unabashed optimist

But really i don’t see the Hokies losing more than two regular season games. With the way this schedule sets up, anything more than 2 losses is pretty poor.

by chicagomaroon on Mar 31, 2011 10:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Expectations for Virginia Tech Football in 2011

7-5; too much of a learning curve for too many people, players and coaches. They will lose one of the first four games. First four games= nothing to gain, everything to lose.

by Charles Sherman Gardner on Mar 31, 2011 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

I see us going 9-3 or 10-2

I can maybe even see 8-4, but 5 losses? Seriously? Veteran O-line, stud RB, solid WR’s, and the D will only get better. Please point to 5 games on our schedule you think we’ll lose. You are grossly underestimating our great staff’s ability to develop talent and put our players in the positions they need to be in to be successful.

by rtsmith on Mar 31, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

Born and raised in the 804, VT '10. Hokies, Braves, NY Giants, and NY Rangers are my teams.

by wisec4g on Mar 31, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

too much uncertainty

10-2 or better if guys are stepping up to their potential and we don’t get bit with the injury bug. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see 8-4, either. We’re replacing too much to have a good feel for what to expect.

by hokiegrad on Mar 31, 2011 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

I can't pick the games

I think we SHOULD win every game, in theory. However, “In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.” — Albert Einstein

Call it 11-3 with a bowl victory and an ACCCG appearance.

by hoqiez on Mar 31, 2011 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

I guess I'll look crazy here but...

I see the Hokies right back in the Orange Bowl this year. No way they lose any of the first four games – This ain’t your daddy’s Appalachian State squad. The schedule sets up VERY nicely for the Pokies. The Clemson game will be a nail biter, but the Hokies will pull it out in Lane.

Coastal will be down. GT, UNC are losing a lot on both sides of the ball, Miami is a dumpster fire, and it’s still too early for UVa to reap anything out of this recruiting year. I see VT winning the Coastal going away, and curbstomping FSU in the ACC title game. It won’t even be as close as last year.

I really don’t think 12-0 is out of the question. Logan Thomas is going to be the deal. Bryan Randall Part II.

by Leonard Thompson on Mar 31, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

We can only hope

Born and raised in the 804, VT '10. Hokies, Braves, NY Giants, and NY Rangers are my teams.

by wisec4g on Mar 31, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It is fairly certain that VT will once again have another winning season

But, I can’t put a W-L figure down just yet. Yes, we have a manageble non-conference schedule, and we should vanquish most of our ACC foes. Still, September is a long ways away. I’m looking forward to seeing how LT handles this offense, and I have a feeling it will be a memorable season (for all the right reasons).

Born and raised in the 804, VT '10. Hokies, Braves, NY Giants, and NY Rangers are my teams.

by wisec4g on Mar 31, 2011 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

Another Solid Performance

I’m going to go out and say 12-2, with a BCS bowl appearance, however; it may not be the Orange Bowl. If FSU is undefeated going into the ACCCG, I’d say they beat us. But I think 11-2 might be able to get us into a BCS game. I think our other slip up would most likely come against Georgia Tech at their place, just from the way they’ve performed against us in recent years, especially with out tendencies in stopping the option. I think we finish out the season with a win in the Fiesta Bowl(assuming its still BCS) against a BE team like WVU.

by StLHokie on Mar 31, 2011 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

With that cake-walk of a schedule?

Better be 10-2, or something’s seriously wrong.

by ragekage on Mar 31, 2011 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Back to the VT/ACC Status Quo

Should win 11 games minimum, including postseason. I’m basing this on a defensive resurgence. If the defense doesn’t bounce back to VT levels, then 9 wins or less might become a reality, with the D-line being the crux of this upcoming season. If the tackles can stop the run better than they did last year and the young DEs get some pressure, this year will be fine. If not, well, it may be a difficult year.

by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on Mar 31, 2011 11:53 PM EDT reply actions