Saturday morning thoughts

I read through a couple of particularly unimpressive predictions regarding Virginia Tech and the 2008 college football season.

Here's what the first article said (from the Fort Worth Star Telegram):

Why Virginia Tech is No. 22: An experienced offensive line and two quarterbacks return, but there are numerous questions on both sides of the ball, and the schedule includes four potentially tough road games.

Potential problems: Start at quarterback, where Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon remained even through spring and neither won the job outright. Taylor is a running threat, while Glennon is more of a dropback passer. The Hokies also must bolster the running back position after Branden Ore was kicked off the team and two others were injured. The receiving corps has little experience, and the defense must replace seven starters who were drafted. Virginia Tech has a tough four-game stretch in conference that includes contests at Boston College, Florida State and Miami.

Yes, the Hokies do play some historically good teams on the road, plus North Carolina (who will be good next year rather than this year). But Florida State's offensive line is starting I think 3 sophomores and 2 freshmen, Boston College lost more key players than Tech did, Nebraska sucks and Miami lost a ton of players from an already-bad team.

The "potential problem" at QB is just stupid, as it's a good thing to have two starting quarterbacks. That way neither of them can take a play off. The two worked well together last season and should continue to this year. Branden Ore was a detriment to the team last year, and his replacements (Kenny Lewis Jr. and Jahre Cheeseman) both averaged either around as many or more yards per carry than Ore last year. Throw in Josh Oglesby and Ryan Williams and the Hokies will instantly improve at the position over Ore.

The Hokies went to the Sugar Bowl in 2004 with their top 2 wide recievers being freshman (plus their third and fourth were a true sophomore and a true freshman, respectively). Again, I'm not worried.

It's incredibly ignorant to ever question Bud Foster's defense. He's done more with a worse group before. That's an awful argument. The Virginia Tech defense is a never-ending reservoir of talent, and that will continue for the forseeable future.

And to the second bad prediction:
3) VIRGINIA TECH - Coach Frank Beamer's Hokies have earned the respect they get in the preseason, but if you put a different name on this team's resume, it probably wouldn't be favored to reach the ACC title game. Tech returns only 10 starters and said goodbye to its leading rusher and four top pass catchers from last year. There are no obvious replacements. The top three tacklers on defense? Also gone. In fact most of last year's typical tough D will be playing on Sundays this season. Rebuilding year, anyone?

Why wouldn't the Hokies be favored to reach the ACC title game? Nobody else is anywhere near as talented or experienced in the Coastal Division. Unless something clicks with another team, the Hokies could win the Coastal Division very decisively. Kenny Lewis, Jr. and Jahre Cheeseman were obvious replacements. Again, defensive players are ALWAYS replacable at Virginia Tech. Another poor analysis, but this is why you're writing for USA Today, I suppose.

All of this sounds a ton like the 2004 Virginia Tech team that went 10-3, losing to 2 undefeated teams (USC and Auburn) as well as a 1 point loss on a missed field goal at NC State. I'm not scared to predict a 12-1 or 13-0 season (because Clemson will choke in the ACC Championship, as always).