Virginia Tech Hokies College Football Picks 2009: Virginia Tech finished off an impressive 2008 campaign by winning the ACC Conference Title and defeating Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl after many questions circled the campus about how good the Hokies would be. After proving that they were just fine last season, Virginia Tech is thinking National Champions in ’09. The college football picks experts at online sportsbook SBG Global has the Virginia Tech Hokies listed at +1700 odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship Title.
#14 VIRGINIA TECH
2008 Season Record: 10-4
Coastal Division Champions
2008 Final Rank: 14
Returning Starters on Offense: 9
Returning Starters on Defense: 7
Pros: Key players are returning this season. Most of them are on the offensive side, which Virginia Tech needs to improve upon from last season. The defense was the Hokies strong suit in 2008, finishing in the top 10 nationally in total defense and scoring defense. Linebacker Cody Grimm, who led returning players with 61 tackles last season, along with recording six sacks, will anchor the defense again. The conservative offense of last season, has a year under its belt, and looks to improve. Tyrod Taylor captains the returning players on offense at quarterback. He will look to improve his 103.25 QB rating by completing more passes to some familiar faces. Receiver Danny Coale is returning after leading the Hokies with 36 receptions as a freshman, along with Jarrett Boykin who grabbed 30 catches for over 440 yards. Darren Evans, 1,000 yard rusher from last season will be returning as well, and will rack up the yards on the ground, along with Taylor who ran fro 738 yards along with his passing attack.
Cons: Youth. The core of Virginia Tech is very young. Last season was a pleasant surprise for Hokie nation, after predicting that 2008 was going to be more of a preparation year for an impressive 2009 team. But with last season resulting in an ACC Championship and Orange Bowl Victory, expectations that have now been placed on them. The offensive line has also been an issue for the past two seasons. The unit has had a lot of problems protecting the quarterback, especially in the pocket, and players such as left tackle Ed Wang will need to deliver solid protection so the Hokie offense can improve its numbers from last season.
The college football picks odds makers at SBG Global have the Virginia Tech Hokies +130 odds favorites to win the ACC Conference Title.
Overall Outlook: The defense looks to be solid and among the top defenses in the ACC. As long as the Hokies can survive an opening day date against powerhouse Alabama, who went 12-1 in the 2008 regular season, they should have a decent chance at a BCS Bowl appearance. Virginia Tech will be in the competition for ACC Champions again and are probably the early favorites. However a lot of the Hokies in-conference wins last year were by small margins, so there is no guarantee that they will run away with a championship.
Keys to Success: The offensive line. Yes the youth on offense may be an issue as well, but that is more of an issue with consistency. The offensive line has been bad and needs to be moderate this season. A good offensive line makes an entire offense better, and if they can muster up some protection for Taylor, Evans, and the receivers, they will all improve. The young stars were surprisingly good in 2008, so there may be potential sophomore slumps with players like Coale and Boykin, but progress is more likely than a fall off. The defense is nothing to worry about, keep an eye on protection for the quarterback which will affect points scored and turnovers created. Virginia Tech was 3-1 vs. ranked opponents in 2008. Virginia Tech recorded only one home loss in 2008. Virginia Tech has won the past two ACC Champion-ships. Virginia Tech has won three division championships since 2005.
Online Sportsbook SBG Global has posted the following odds to win the 2010 BCS National Championship:Alabama +2200
Arizona St +7000
Arkansas +7000
Auburn +9000
Boston College +7500
California +2200
Cincinnati +8500
Clemson +7500
Colorado +8500
Florida +150
Florida St +4000
Georgia +7500
Georgia Tech +1200
Illinois +4500
Iowa +8500
Kansas +4500
Kansas St +8500
Kentucky +8500
Louisville +8500
LSU +3200
Miami FL +3200
Michigan +8500
Michigan St +1700
Missouri +8500
Nebraska +4500
Notre Dame +1200
Ohio St +800
Oklahoma +650
Oklahoma St +2700
Oregon +4500
Penn St +1500
Rutgers +4500
South Carolina +8500
South Florida+5000
Southern Cal +600
Tennessee +8500
Texas +650
Texas A&M +8500
Texas Tech +6500
UCLA +8500
Virginia Tech +1700
Wake Forest +8500
North Carolina +4500
West Virginia +6000
Wisconsin +6500
Field (All Others) +1200
