2017 West Virginia Opponent Sneak Peek: Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech (FedEx Field Landover, MD Sept 2)
Series Record: WVU leads 28-22-1
Last Meeting: 2005 -- Virginia Tech 34 WVU 17
2016 Record: 10-4, 4-2 ACC
Virginia Tech’s Rivals Class Rankings 2013-17: No. 23 (2013), No. 26 (2014), No. 24 (2015), No. 42 (2016), No. 28 (2017)
West Virginia’s Rivals Class Rankings 2013-17: No. 27 (2013), No. 40 (2014), No. 33 (2015), No. 38 (2016), No. 51 (2017)
2016 Summary
In head coach Justin Fuente's first year the Hokies finished 9-3 in the regular season and 10-4 after a win over Arkansas in the Belk Bowl. They were the Coastal Division Champions and faced Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, falling to the eventual national champions 42-35.
Fuente was recognized as the 2016 ACC Coach of the Year.
Projected Starters Returning
Virginia Tech returns 37 letterwinners and 12 starters. On offense five starters return. Defense will see seven returning.
Top News and Questions Heading Into Fall
Fuente and staff will be tasked with replacing quarterback Jerod Evans who completed 64 percent of his passes for over 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2016.
Finding receivers to replace departed Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges is also a focus.
On defense Virginia Tech lost three veteran defensive linemen and depth could be an issue.
2017 Outlook
Like any second year coach who has experienced success in their initial season the nation will be watching to see if there is a sophomore slump.
The Hokie defense has quality starters returning but lack of depth on the line could be something to watch. On offense there will be a need to get quality play from a new quarterback, young receivers will need to step up and questions remain about the running back position.
Will West Virginia Be Favored, The Underdog Or Is It A Toss-Up?
Odds makers set the opening line with the Hokies a 3.5 point favorite, the line has since moved to 4.5 points in their favor. On a neutral field with both teams starting new quarterbacks it would be difficult to suggest one team has a decided advantage.
West Virginia's offensive line will have to give starter Will Grier time to adjust early in the game against an always stingy Tech defense. However, Grier has experience in big games against quality defenses while starting in one season for the Florida Gators.
The Mountaineers are perhaps fortunate that the defense will be breaking in several new starters against a Virginia Tech offense that returns only five starters from 2016. WVU's weakness, at least early in the season, could be the defensive backfield and as previously mentioned Tech will have a new quarterback and lost their top two receiving threats.