Virginia Tech got back to a bowl game after its worst season in 30 years. Things are trending in the right direction under Brent Pry.
Coaching Staff:
Brent Pry is entering his third season in Blacksburg. After a 3-win campaign in 2022, his team bounced back to win 7 games in year 2. Including going 6-3 down the stretch. It feels like Pry has the right coaches and players in place to have the program he envisioned when he arrived in Blacksburg.
Last season was a make-or-break year for Tyler Bowen. When Grant Wells suffered an ankle injury against Purdue, Bowen found lightning in a bottle in the form of Kyron Drones at quarterback. Having Drones solidify the QB position gave Bowen the opportunity to build out a run-heavy offense that fit his personnel.
Offense:
Kyron Drones is the straw that stirs the drink for this offense. The offense became more dynamic with him behind center. With Drones and Bhayshul Tuten at running back, it allowed the Hokies to establish a run-based offense that opened up the passing game. A heavy and consistent run game gave the Hokies deep-play threats room to operate downfield.
Once again, the Hokies should lean on a run-heavy attack. This fits best with their personnel. On an offense that includes Drones, Tuten and RB Malachi Thomas, you want to get the ball into your playmakers’ hands. This is also the best way to create space in the passing game for your wide receivers and tight ends.
The offense should benefit from having WR Ali Jennings back. He looked great in the ODU game and went out with a broken ankle against Purdue. Having him back along with WR Jaylin Lane, WR Da’Quan Felton and WR Stephen Gosnell should give Drones a lot of options in the passing game. Don’t forget TE Nick Gallo who should provide another nice downfield option for Drones.
The biggest concern on the offensive side of the ball is the offensive line. Particularly their ability to pass block. They had moments last year where they looked capable but they also had some pretty ugly moments too. For this offense to take another step forward, the offensive line has to prove they can protect Drones. This offense never looked at their best in passing situations last year.
Defense:
There were times last season where I had no idea what the safeties and linebackers were doing in the run game. They always seemed to be filling the wrong gap. It wasn’t a talent issue. It was an assignments issue. My hope is with another year under their belt they should be able to get it right more often that not this season.
Brent Pry has done a great job through the transfer portal of filling gaps on this defense. Bringing in Aeneas Peebles, Sam Brumfield and Kemari Copeland strengthens what was already a pretty strong group.
The strength of this group will be the defensive line. Antwuan Powell-Ryland is ready to have an all-conference year. Aeneas Peebles was already an all-conference player for Duke last season. Those two should wreak havoc on opposing offenses all season.
The Hokies have one of the best starting corner tandems in the ACC. Dorian Strong was one of the national leaders last season in PFF grades for cornerbacks with Mansoor Delane not too far behind him. If both can stay healthy, this should be a lockdown corner combo.
For this defense to take the next step, this group needs better contributions out of their safeties and linebackers. There were too many missed assignments last year leading to big plays. The addition of Sam Brumfield at mike linebacker will help a lot. So will the development of Jalen Stroman and Mose Phillips at the safety spots. Those guys are ready to take the next step forward.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Kyron Drones: Drones is a star and this team will go as far as Drones takes them. This was a completely different team last season with Drones under center.
Running Back Bhayshul Tuten: When was the last time that Tech had a chain mover like Tuten? David Wilson?
Defensive End Antwuan Powell-Ryland: APR came in with a lot of hype as a former 4-star recruit transferring in from Florida. He met and exceeded that hype. He’s a Daryl Tapp clone who likes to get after the quarterback.
Non-Conference Matchups:
Virginia Tech has a very manageable non-conference slate. Vanderbilt is one of the worst teams in the Power 4. Marshall is a solid team but one that Tech should handle at home. Old Dominion is close to their talent level from last season although Virginia Tech has yet to win in Norfolk after two appearances there. Rutgers is a rugged team under Greg Schiano but that game is at home this season. The team most likely to upset the Hokies from this slate is Rutgers.
ACC Outlook:
Virginia Tech is picked to finish 6th in the ACC preseason poll. That sounds about right to me. Virginia Tech is in the group right behind Clemson and Florida State who have a chance to get to Charlotte.
Conclusion:
Brent Pry looks well on his way to rebuilding Virginia Tech after 2 seasons at the helm. It finally feels like he has his coaches and players in place with a chance to make a run. This is the show-me year where he can prove that Virginia Tech can be a real contender for the ACC and a spot in the CFP.
Tough games (<40% chance to win)
Clemson and Miami. These both look like losses in the preseason. Both of these teams have more talent than the Hokies currently have.
Toss-up games (50-50 games)
Rutgers. Georgia Tech. Syracuse. These games are the difference between 10-2 and 7-5.
Should win games (>60% to win)
Vanderbilt. Marshall. Old Dominion. Stanford. Boston College. Duke. Virginia. The Hokies should make a bowl game on these games alone.
Key games for the Hokies: Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech
Upset Alert: Georgia Tech
Game By Game Predictions
| at Vanderbilt |  |
| Marshall | |
| at Old Dominion | |
| Rutgers | |
| at Miami |  |
| at Stanford | |
| Boston College | |
| Georgia Tech |  |
| at Syracuse | |
| Clemson |  |
| at Duke | |
| Virginia | |
Final Regular Season Record: 9-3 (5-3 in the ACC)
Expected finish: 4th in the ACC
Bowl Game Prediction:
treadmillhorse 
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