Suggested Team Slogan: Hi... do I know you?

What We Learned In 2007: Last years Va Tech team taught us a couple important things. #1: No matter what happens at the beginning of the season, you CAN redeem yourself and contend in the end. The Hokies got destroyed by LSU 49-7 in September, and still went to the Orange Bowl. If it weren't for a mid-season loss to Boston College, the Hokies would have undoubtedly been in the National Championship game. Which brings us to #2: Matt Ryan is a VERY good quarterback. And a great QB at a solid college team can accomplish anything. Va Tech was clearly a better team than BC, and outplayed them for about 58 minutes. But then Matt Ryan took over, and BC came away with the win. We also learned that you can never tell how emotions will play into a team's performance. The Va Tech campus experienced one of the most tragic events in recent history, and it seemed like it might bring them together to win, but didn't always translate to success on the field. Did it help them or hurt them? I don't think anyone can say definitively.

Expectations in 2008: Expectations are always high in Blacksburg. While they have been perennial National Championship contenders, they still haven't made it all the way. Hokies fans aren't (or at least shouldn't) be counting on it happening this year, but anything less than a top 20 finish will be considered unacceptable.

What could hold them back: They have had a huge turnover this year. They are only returning 6 starters on offense, and 4 on defense. They also have a bit of a quarterback controversy, with Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon both looking to get a lot of snaps this year. They play with 2 entirely different styles, and the Hokies' success depends greatly on Frank Beamer's ability to utilize each of them wisely.

Big Men On Campus: Greg Boone. Literally. The junior TE is 6'3", 280 pounds, and will be lining up as a WR as well. He has matched up well with another VT key player, returning All-ACC CB Macho Harris. Sean Glennon returns as the primary QB. He passed for 1796 yards and 12 TD's last year, and will definitely look to improve on that this year.

Cheerleader Grade: Suspect. There are a few good ones here and there, but not enough. And some are downright scary. Overall, they get a C-.


Schedule and Predictions:
8/30 @ East Carolina - W
9/6 Furman - W
9/13 Georgia Tech - W
9/20 @ North Carolina - W
9/27 @ Nebraska - L
10/4 Western Kentucky - W
10/18 @ Boston College - W
10/25 @ Florida State - L
11/6 Maryland - W
11/13 @ Miami (FL) - W
11/22 Duke - W
11/29 Virginia - W

11-2 (7-1 ACC)

That's right... I'm predicting a loss to Nebraska. Call me crazy, but I think there's a great chance that Beamer and the Hokies overlook this game, and underestimate a Nebraska team that will be very hungry, and very well-coached under Bo Pelini. It's a trap game for Va Tech, and as bad as Nebraska has been lately, they still have some talent here and there. And while I think that the Hokies could be the best team in the ACC, I don't see them making it all the way through their conference undefeated. While it could very well end up being Virginia, Miami or Boston College, I'm going to go with a resurgent Florida State for their lone ACC loss.

How do YOU think they'll do?  [Ultimate Preseason Va Tech Poll]