Your Turn: Who Should Virginia Tech Fear on Its Non-Conference Schedule?
by furrer4heisman on May 10, 2011 8:01 AM EDT
in Virginia Tech Football
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Yesterday, ESPN's Heather Dinich wrote that of the four teams on Virginia Tech's non-conference schedule, we should probably fear East Carolina the most:
Quarterback Dominique Davis returns to lead an offense that has scored 35 or more points in six of the last seven (and 11 of the last 13) games. It will be facing a Hokies' defense that has given up too many big plays for Bud Foster's liking, and has to replace three of four starters up front. ECU also has won five of its last eight home games against BCS opponents since 2005 -- including last year's win over NC State.
Obviously, Dinich has to pick SOMEONE and went with the Pirates, who will be the Hokies' first road opponent of the year. But are they really the team we should fear most? I want to hear your opinion.
Here's Tech's non-conference slate:
Sept. 3: vs. Appalachian State
Relax: They're an FCS team. And they're replacing some talented players on defense, including safety Mark LeGree.
Worry: Uhhhhhh, they're an FCS team. And they're an FCS team that has a well documented history of opening week upsets. And they're an FCS team with a good senior quarterback in DeAndre Presley.
Sept. 10: at East Carolina
Relax: They're defense was horrible last year and can't be that much better this year.
Worry: First road game for Logan Thomas and a high-powered offense.
Sept: 17: vs. Arkansas State
Relax: They went 4-8 in the Sun Belt last year.
Worry: They have a history of keeping it close vs. BCS teams. Lost by two vs. Indiana last year, lost by three vs. Iowa in 2009, beat Texas A&M in 2008.
Sept. 24 at Marshall
Relax: Horrible offense that lost its QB.
Worry: Another road game, will have an improved defense.
In reality, East Carolina is probably the non-conference team we should fear most. But Appalachian State and Marshall are certainly nothing to sneeze at. Marshall's on the road and App State will want to make history repeat itself in more ways than one. So which one is our toughest draw?
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VT fans should not overlook App State or ECU
Both programs are part of the up incoming in college football. App State pulled off the big one that we all know, but I think your coaching staff will not let a JMU letdown happen again. The ECU game though will get interesting. ECU returns most of it’s defense from last year, but it losing some key cogs in a good offense. If they can get its offense up in running in the new spread with a new QB, they could be scary, especially against VT’s weaker secondary.
All in all though, I expect VT to finish 4-0 in OOC play. I expect each ACC team to do so. Anyone else ready for some Saturday Football?
Don't give up, don't ever give up ~ Jim Valvano
VT's weaker secondary??
I’m pretty sure the CBs and safeties are the strongest position on VT (and possibly thinnest). They did struggle against Luck and 2-TE sets last year, but I’m pretty sure ECU does not have Luck and they do not run 2-TE sets. Did you watch the ECU game last year? The 2nd half was when the secondary finally clicked, and didn’t look back, until they played the best QB and coach in college football.
by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on May 10, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I will agree that VT has very good starters
But a game is 60 minutes long for a reason. And having little to no depth does hurt, even if it is the 2nd game of the season. And ECU this year will be vastly different than ECU last year. They should have more on offense installed, have more players checked in to the system, and will hopefully finally have a decent running game. I think VT will be the better team, and they sure as hell better be, but I will not be surprised if ECU some how pulls it out. That is a good football program, and is on the up & up.
Don't give up, don't ever give up ~ Jim Valvano
Davis is their leading returning rusher. How exactly will they have a decent running game? They also lost three starting linemen.
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by furrer4heisman on May 10, 2011 3:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
East Carolina
They may be down a bit this year, but I’ve been very impressed with the program that ECU has quietly built over the past few years. No one should be taken lightly.
As for the comment regarding App State & the FCS ….. JMU, anyone?
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
The word used is fear. VT should not fear most of their opponents since they are the better team in most of their games. However, they should take seriously every opponent on their schedule.
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on May 10, 2011 10:28 AM EDT reply actions
Ticket Sales should be the only fear. Lolz
'11: Minimum Goal: Win 10 games again
'10: 7th in offense, 41st in defense. Division Champions. 10-4. (6-3)
'09: 3rd in offense, 107th in defense. 7-6 (4-4)
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VT is not Miami…
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on May 10, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s a joke, much like the non-conference schedule. Zing!
'11: Minimum Goal: Win 10 games again
'10: 7th in offense, 41st in defense. Division Champions. 10-4. (6-3)
'09: 3rd in offense, 107th in defense. 7-6 (4-4)
Tomahawk Nation: Nole-Holds-Barred Analysis of FSU Sports!
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by Bud Elliott on May 10, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Mine was a joke as well. Thought an FSU fan would have caught onto that…
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-Roberto
by blackjackfishtaco on May 10, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
VT's OOC
Is a terribly sad joke. Not very funny either, really. Such a shame. Next year’s OOC is MUCH better. Play 2 Big Six teams-Cincy and Pitt. Don’t laugh. Cincy, Pitt and the Big East could be good…
by Chazz Micheal Michealzz on May 10, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Heather Dinch needs an obligatory by-line
“anyone but VA Tech”. My tongue remains firmly planted in my cheek when I read everything of hers.
CTOB
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But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
'everything" should have been "anything"
/hangsheadinshameforfailuretoproofbeforepost
CTOB
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But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
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