TLOS Preview: #16 Virginia Tech

By Paulie Knep
Love of Sports Correspondent

(Starting August 1st, The Love of Sports began featuring one college football program each day, breaking down their offense, defense and - most importantly - their food, beverage, cheerleaders, tailgating prowess and all-around campus life! That’s because those are the things we value here the most. College football is all about the atmosphere, and that’s exactly what we’ll give you all season long!)

Today’s Preview: Virginia Tech Hokies

TLOS Preseason Rank: #16
TLOS Predicted Record: 10-3
2007 Record: 11-3 (7-1 in ACC)
Returning Lettermen: 42
Letterman Lost: 19

Offense

The Hokie offense should be solid, if not spectacular. Coach Frank Beamer has two strong options at quarterback and has yet to name a starter. Senior Sean Glennon is a prototypical drop back passer, and sophomore Tyrod Taylor is a passing and running threat who isn’t as mechanically sound as Glennon. The offensive line may be the team’s greatest strength, with four of five starters returning.

The wide receiver and running back position are wide open. Three of Tech’s wideouts moved on to the NFL, so they lack an experienced target. After running back Brandon Ore was dismissed from the team, Kenny Lewis, Jr. and Jahre Cheeseman were expected to carry the load, but both were injured in spring practice and its not clear if they’ll be ready to go for the start of the season.

Defense

Tech returns just four starters from last year’s defense and is counting on a number of unproven players to fill those holes. The secondary received a boost when stud cornerback “Macho” Harris withdrew his name from the NFL Draft. He’ll be counted on to replace All-American Brandon Flowers. Orion Martin’s the only returning starter on the defensive line and needs to provide consistent pressure on the quarterback in order for the defense to be successful.

Season Outlook

Virginia Tech is a trendy Top 15 or even Top 10 pick this preseason after an impressive 2007 campaign which culminated with a strong showing against Kansas in the Orange Bowl. With strong leadership at quarterback and a battle-tested offensive line, the Hokies shouldn’t have any trouble finishing first in the Coastal Division and are the favorites to win a fairly weak ACC. However, based on the team’s inexperience and lack of depth, especially on the defensive side of the ball, another Top 10 finish is unlikely..

The Stadium

The Hokies play their home games at Lane Stadium/Worsham Field in Blacksburg, Virginia, where the walls are composed of Hokie stone. The stadium’s 62, 233 rowdy fans create one of the biggest home field advantages in college football. In addition to singing the Hokey Pokey after the third quarter, during three games each season, Hokie fans all wear the same color clothes to create a “white out,” “maroon effect” or “orange effect.” Lane Stadium also houses “Skipper,” the world’s largest game cannon, which is fired after the national anthem and after every Hokie score.

Schedule

The Hokies will be tested in Week 1 by an East Carolina team that won eight games last year and is returning 20 starters. Tech shouldn’t have any trouble with the remainder of their non-conference schedule, which includes games against Furman, Nebraska and Western Kentucky. Their season will likely be determined by a four-game stretch in late October and early November in which they play at Boston College, at Florida State, against Maryland and at Miami. They conclude the season at home against cross-state rival Virginia.

Homecoming Game

September 13th at 3:30 vs. Georgia Tech

What’s a Hokie?

Many people believe it’s a wild bird, similar to a turkey. This theory is rooted in the fact that “hokie’s” been used interchangeably with the old team nickname “Fighting Gobblers,” and Virginia Tech’s mascot, the “Hokiebird”, is a variation of their old turkey mascot. However, the university’s official story is that “hokie” has no meaning at all. In 1896, Virginia Tech student O.M. Stull made up the word as part of The Old Hokie Cheer, his winning submission to the school’s new cheer contest. Stull received a $5 reward and the student body still sings the cheer today.

Uniforms

Nike’s designed new Virginia Tech uniforms for the upcoming season. Their distinctive feature is a side panel which runs from the shoulder down the side of the jersey. The home jerseys are Chicago maroon with a burnt orange panel, and the away jerseys are white with a Chicago maroon panel.

School Atmosphere

Tailgating : There are several parking lots for tailgaters to choose from outside Lane Stadium. Though alcohol is prohibited in public lots, security probably won’t bother you if you conceal your bottle in plastic. If you don’t want to have to worry about it, try and work your way into the donor lots, where the alcohol is free flowing! The delicacy of choice ranges from cheeseburgers and bratwurst to good ol’ Southern comfort food, aka fried chicken and pulled pork.

Campus: If you’re in Blacksburg and aren’t able to get tickets for the game, there are plenty of sports bars on and around campus where you can enjoy the action. At Champs, rowdy Hokie fans can be found throwing back shots every time Tech scores. You can also enjoy the game in a less intense setting at London Underground Pub. Located about a mile from the stadium, the pub contains several dartboards and serves a wide variety of craft beers.

Male-to-Female ratio: Sorry gentlemen, enrollment at Virginia Tech is 58% boys and 42% girls. That’s just a damn shame, but it IS a technical university after all.

Famous Alumni

- Gerry Beckley, Lead Singer of the band America
- Johnny Oates, Former Orioles manager and MLB player
- Joe Saunders, Pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
- Dell Curry, Former NBA shooting guard
- Bruce Smith, Hall of Fame NFL defensive linemen
- DeAngelo Hall, Oakland Raider defensive back
- Angela Tincher, 2008 NCAA Softball National Player of the Year

Shameless Cheerleader Pics

PREVIOUS PREVIEWS

#25 - Fresno State Bulldogs
#24 - Penn State Nittany Lions
#23 - Oregon Ducks
#22 - Arizona State Sun Devils
#21 - Michigan Wolverines
#20 - Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
#19 - Texas Tech Red Raiders
#18 - Boston College Eagles
#17 - Brigham Young Cougars

OTHER TOP STORIES

--The Official Olympics Drinking Game

--Top 10 Fantasy FB Sleepers

--The Friday Five: College FB Injuries & Predictions

--The Huddle: Top 10 College Offensive Linemen

--NFL’s Top 10 Wide Receivers

--Camp News & Notes: AFC East

--NASCAR Power Rankings

--Why We Love Ray Rice

(There’s nothing like washing down an ice cold beer while watching college football! If you love it like we do, check out our sister site, The Love of Beer, to see what we’re drinking today!)