2015 Record: 7-6
2016 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 6.5
2016 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Over'
For the first time in 29 years Frank Beamer won't be on the Virginia Tech sideline. One of college football's truly outstanding coaches has moved on, and no one knows exactly what to expect from the Hokies moving forward. Tech was generally praised for nabbing Memphis coach Justin Fuente, who breathed life into a moribund Tigers squad the past four seasons. But Fuente's coaching record the past four seasons (28-23) is almost identical to Virginia Tech's straight-up mark over the same period (29-23).
Fuente retained legendary defensive coordinator Bud Foster, which should help ease the transition to the new staff. It also helps to have 15 total starters back, including seven three-year starters and seven defensive first-teamers. This team has a stacked secondary on defense and a load of talent at wide receiver and running back on offense.
But Virginia Tech's season is going to come down to one thing: quarterback play. The Hokies have no idea whether they are going to go with transfer Jerod Evans or Brandon Motley. Motley filled in for injured starter Michael Brewer last season, making six starts. And if Fuente can coax stability out of this position, no matter whom he goes with, the Hokies are going to be a lot better than people are expecting.
Virginia Tech is just 24-41 against the spread the last five seasons. So there may be some value betting on this group since they are a bit of an unknown. Don't think for one second that they can't play with Tennessee, whom the Hokies face in Bristol, TN in Week 2. This is the same Hokies group that took it to Ohio State for three quarters in last year's opener (before Brewer got hurt).
Virginia Tech doesn't have to play a true road game until Oct. 8, and Fuente has a great chance to get off to a hot start and build some goodwill. Tech needs a strong start, because after their Week 5 bye five of their next seven games are on the road.
I will buy the Hokies. This team likely isn't going to compete for the ACC title - though they do avoid playing Clemson, Florida State and Louisville - but I think it has the goods to spring some upsets and better than people expect. I think the Hokies have a great chance of getting to eight wins, and if a QB emerges they could be a sleeper team in the ACC. Play Virginia Tech 'over'.
2016 Virginia Tech Hokies Schedule
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME (ET) |
Location |
Result |
Sat, Sep 3rd, 2016 |
Liberty |
12:30 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
Sat, Sep 10th, 2016 |
at Tennessee |
08:00 PM |
Bristol Motor Speedway |
|
Sat, Sep 17th, 2016 |
Boston College |
03:30 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
Sat, Sep 24th, 2016 |
East Carolina |
12:00 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
Sat, Oct 8th, 2016 |
at North Carolina |
12:00 PM |
Kenan Memorial Stadium |
|
Sat, Oct 15th, 2016 |
at Syracuse |
12:00 PM |
Carrier Dome |
|
Thu, Oct 20th, 2016 |
Miami Florida |
07:30 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
Thu, Oct 27th, 2016 |
at Pittsburgh |
07:30 PM |
Heinz Field |
|
Sat, Nov 5th, 2016 |
at Duke |
12:00 PM |
Brooks Field |
|
Sat, Nov 12th, 2016 |
Georgia_Tech |
12:00 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
Sat, Nov 19th, 2016 |
at Notre Dame |
03:30 PM |
Notre Dame Stadium |
|
Sat, Nov 26th, 2016 |
Virginia |
12:00 PM |
Lane Stadium/Worsham Field |
|
All Times EST
*Season Win Total Odds from 5Dimes Sportsbook.
Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past five years, earning nearly $13,000 in total football profit with four of six winning seasons. Robert tallied over $20,000 in football profit between 2011 and 2015, including his amazing 2013 NFL season in which he hit 62.1 percent (95-58). Robert has produced 14 of 22 winning football months and an amazing 37 of 57 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of nine winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 750 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of four winning seasons and is 122-92 over the last three years (57.0 percent).
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