BLACKSBURG, Va. –– A grueling and taxing offseason is officially behind the Virginia Tech football program and a new season is upon us.
The story of the Hokies’ offseason was one of attrition. The program lost numerous players from the 2018 squad to the transfer portal. The good news for Virginia Tech? The Hokies, for the most part, lost guys that had been surpassed on the depth chart by younger, more promising players.
Justin Fuente begins his fourth year in Blacksburg anew. The program has a brand-new vibe surrounding it and the players have been outspoken about that in recent weeks. The team has a chance for a clean slate and will look to put the issues of last season behind them quickly.
The first test for the revitalized Hokies is a trip to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to play the Boston College Eagles (4 p.m. on ACC Network). The Eagles are led by head coach Steve Addazio and first-team All-ACC running back A.J. Dillon.
For Virginia Tech’s season to get started on the right foot, their game plan will have to prioritize containing Dillon and limit his production throughout the afternoon. Although the Hokies held Dillon to under 100 yards rushing last year, a multitude of issues prevented them from scoring the victory. Their inability to rush the passer as well as not being able to get in a rhythm on offense were chief among them.
The 2019 edition of the Virginia Tech Hokies will go as far as its defense permits. The linebacking corps is strong and the safeties group features two potential NFL talents. Defensive back Caleb Farley is said to have taken considerable steps forward and has progressed well in the offseason. The entire unit will strive to send legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster into retirement in style.
On offense, Ryan Willis will ideally have taken a step forward in his rapport with dynamic playmakers Tré Turner and Damon Hazelton. The offensive line unit is, perhaps, the most talented it has ever been at the school despite highly touted transfer Brock Hoffman being ruled ineligible in incomprehensible reasoning by the governing body.
Virginia Tech under Fuente has historically performed well in season openers away from Blacksburg. They defeated West Virginia at FedEx Field to start the 2017 season and defeated Florida State in Tallahassee last year. The Hokies will have to contend with a well-coached Boston College team and be ready to battle for 60 minutes, but I believe the Hokies will meet the challenge and will be eager to exorcise the demons of last year.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31 – Boston College 27
Written by Greg Atkins
