The 2016 edition of the Virginia Tech Hokies will be on display tomorrow at Lane Stadium. What does the Gobbler Country staff think about the match up?
Jawhar Ali (0-0)
The Hokies will come out fast and flying in Fuente's debut. The only question I have is when will Josh Jacskon enter the game. Hokies win their opener 41-10.
John Schneider (0-0)
There isn't much else to say than what we've already been pounding. This looks like a provisional depth chart with several dislocations due to various circumstances, and quite a few inexperienced players mixed in with guys who played this year. That's great! It means that Coach Fuente is going to use this opportunity to get some experience and consistency on the field in preparation for bigger and much more difficult things. Look for a bit of everything, including the hurry up, the slow roll option pass, and the wide open cutback zone run game. Also look for Liberty to try a sneak attack and a fast strike to see if Foster's defense still suffers from its opening jitters problem. Ultimately we win going away though: 48-10 Hokies.
Jay Johnson (0-0)
If Tropical Storm Hermine checks to the left a bit, this game could be rather wet and windy. If that is the case I don’t think we are going to be able to see much of a passing attack. If the storm stays on track though, Blacksburg should avoid the brunt, and hopefully we will get a taste of the quicker tempo the offense hopes to achieve. This is the first meeting between Virginia Tech and Liberty University. After seven consecutive seasons of being a Big South Conference co-champion, the Flames dimmed a bit during 2015, finishing 6-5. Liberty faced one Power Five conference foe last season when West Virginia dominated, 41-17. Even if the weather is a factor I simply cannot imagine a scenario where Liberty wins this game. If the weather becomes a factor I think the scoring will suffer. Assuming the weather remains favorable, as forecast, Coach Fuente will win his debut, in front of a home crowd, 42-7.
Joshua Schneider (0-0)
Count me out on the overly optimistic talk. Let's be clear; I believe the Hokies will win this game easily. I doubt the offense has all that chemistry and that Liberty doesn't have at least one garbage time touchdown or something in them. I'm in wait and see mode on the offense and defense, but the talent of the depth chart will probably show early and often. I'm most looking to see how the passes are distributed and how the new defense tackles. Hokies 38- Liberty 13 on the strength of a slow rolling offense for now.
Bryan Manning (0-0)
Liberty is the perfect opponent for head coach Justin Fuente in his debut on the Hokie sideline. The Hokies' offense starts out fast, fueled by a couple of early turnovers and Tech gets out to a big lead by the end of the first quarter. Isaiah Ford, Sam Rogers and Bucky Hodges all have big days for the Hokies in a 41-7 rout of Liberty.
Mohamed Hassan (0-0)
Instead of a Fuente Fiesta in the Hokies debut, expect more of a suit and tie affair. The Hokies will display a very vanilla offense against Liberty to give the Tennesse Volunteers less tape to study. Liberty will strike hard early as Virginia Tech may be peeking at the schedule ahead, but eventually the talent gap will be too much for them to overcome.
Expect a 45-17 Virginia Tech win with very simplistic offensive sets. I expect Coach Fuente to really show off what this offense can do on a national stage the following week during the Battle at Bristol.
Roy Hatfield (0-0)
The Hokies will try and put Liberty away early to play the most amount of people. Too much speed. Too much talent. Hokies is a drubbing 52-20.