Gazing into the Crystal Ball.....

So, this is how I see the teams RIGHT NOW. Not how I see them finishing the season.

Based on talent coming back, coaching, and schedule. I have put my best guess as to how their record will turn out next to each team. We'll see how wrong I really was come December.

ATLANTIC

Florida State (10-2)
NC State (9-3)
Clemson (9-3)
Wake Forest (8-4)
Maryland (7-5)
Boston College (6-6)

COASTAL

Virginia Tech (11-1)
Georgia Tech (9-3)
North Carolina (9-3)
Miami (8-4)
Virginia (6-6)
Duke (5-7)

The Final Countdown...

Is it really a week from TOMORROW until the first college football Saturday of the 2009 season? WOW. In a way, it has been a long time coming, but it also just feels like the Orange Bowl came to a close.

VT has looked good in preseason scrimmages and practices. But the proof will be in the pudding. How will they look under the lights against #5 Alabama in a week? Only time will tell.

Five things to know before this game -

(1) The first team defense is flat out nasty. The weakness (if you can even consider it that) of this group, is the linebackers. Only because they don't have experience. They are still playing aggressive though.

(2) The loss of Darren Evans hurts - but there is quality depth there. Ryan Williams will be a household name before you know it, and David Wilson will make his presence known too.

(3) The first team offensive line is FINALLY ready to assert itself. Most of the offensive woes over the past 4 years can be attributed to lack of depth and holes in recruiting. This group is finally gelling.

(4) This is FINALLY Tyrod's team. No looking over the shoulder. This is his offense to direct.

(5) This offense will finish in the top 60 in offense. That doesn't sound too good, but given the fact that VT has won the ACC in back to back seasons with offenses in the 100s.

HOKIE HOKIE HOKIE HI folks. It's time to kick it off!!!

Back in the swing....

Greetings, fellow Hokies!! The hiatus is officially over. The months from the end of March Madness to the beginning of summer football are long and arduous, it seems! The football team returned to campus to begin summer ball on Thursday and the season kicks off in less then a month. I can't believe it is almost here! Frank is very excited about what his team can do and hasn't shied away from questions about all the hype. There is even a huge banner on his tower on the practice field that reads 'A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.' Clearly, they understand the potential.

With early August also comes the preseason coaches poll, which was released yesterday. Clearly the coaches have much love with VT as well, pitting them 7th over all in the country. See the full rankings here.

In all, 4 of Tech's opponents are already top 25 teams. It is possible that Miami and NC State could sneak in there as well, by the time VT plays them.

So, camp has begun. Hype is everywhere. In the past, that has been a bad thing. I don't see any selfish kids on this team, though. No one who is more interested in a SportsCenter Top 10 play then gutting out a hard fought win. I think these kids get it. More importantly, they know the one thing Frank Beamer DOESN'T have is a National Championship trophy.

We'll see if the cards fall just right soon enough.