Virginia Tech Hokies
ACC
Well, the 10-win season is not happening; a BCS bowl bid didn't either. Nevertheless, Virginia Tech had another VT-type season: nothing spectacular occurred, they lost to the big boy on their schedule but managed one semi-upset win, and at the end of the year, most of the country has forgotten about them. That seems to be the Hokies' MO in recent years. In fact, every year for the past decade, Virginia Tech has gone through the season, usually winning 10 games and making a bowl game, but suffered unexpected losses and couldn't finish out the year strong. Prior to last season, 2008 and 2009 were the only times in the last decade that VT didn't lose their final regular season game, their bowl game or both. And I'm hesitant to not include their 13-10 overtime victory over Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl last year as somehow more debilitating than an actual loss.
2013 Record: 8-4, 5-3
Coach: Frank Beamer
Coach Bowl Record: 9-11
Big Wins: 9/26 at Georgia Tech (17-10), 11/9 at Miami (42-24)
Bad Losses: 11/2 at Boston College (27-34), 11/16 Maryland (24-27)
Strengths:
Even sporting a 6-1 record through the first month and a half of the season, the Hokies did not look like a good football team. Close wins against Conference USA opponents East Carolina and Marshall backed this up. However, something the Hokies were good at, and continued to be throughout the year, was playing defense. VT finished the season as a top three defense in the country, as far as yards allowed. They were also in the top five in intercepting passes. Their week one game against #1 Alabama was evidence of this superb defense. Although the Crimson Tide managed 35 points, only two of those scores came from the Alabama offense. The other three were results of a punt return, interception return and kickoff return respectively. VT actually outgained Bama in the game, 212 to 206, while limiting the top team to 2.5 yards per rush. Even through the struggles as the season progressed, the defense remained as dominant as ever.
Weaknesses:
While the season appears semi-successful on the surface, Virginia Tech had so much trouble in a number of different departments this season. It started with quarterback Logan Thomas. For four years now, people have been waiting for Thomas to develop into this Cam Newton-type passer; someone with an incredibly strong arm (which he has), power and agility running the football (which he has), and accuracy throwing down field (not even close). The season statistics aren't pretty: 57.3 percent completion, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Thomas' turnovers were the lone reason VT lost both the Duke game and the Boston College game. It didn't help that the team struggled to run the ball yet again this season, and Thomas was a main part of that, managing an inconceivable 1.9 yards per carry for the year. The bad offense could have been balanced out by the great defense if the special teams units were not also atrocious. Coverage problems and kicker debacles became the norm in 2013.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Trey Edmunds, RB, 675 yards
Passing: Logan Thomas, QB, 2,861 yards
Receiving: Willie Byrn, WR, 635 yards
Tackles: Jack Tyler, LB, 93
Sacks: Luther Maddy, DT, 6.5
Interceptions: Kendall Fuller, CB, 6
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 117.8 (110th in nation, 12th in conference)
Passing Offense: 241.3 (54, 7)
Total Offense: 359.1 (98, 12)
Scoring Offense: 23.4 (95, 10)
Rushing Defense: 103.8 (8, 1)
Pass Defense: 165.8 (5, 2)
Total Defense: 269.6 (3, 1)
Scoring Defense: 17.4 (8, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.7 (20, 2)
Sacks: 3.08 (6, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.50 (90, 11)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Russell Athletic Bowl Rutgers (13-10)
2011 Sugar Bowl Michigan (20-23)
2010 Orange Bowl Stanford (12-40)
2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl Tennessee (37-14)
2008 Orange Bowl Cincinnati (20-7)
2007 Orange Bowl Kansas (21-24)
*all team stats through 11/30
