Virginia Tech is better than the Gators? Which begs the question, how are the Gators going to do this year?
We've heard from all the media making predictions about this season since Media Days in Birmingham. So, what's Gatortalk's prediction? Let's hear it from all of you, what will the Gators do this year? We're high on talent and in spirit if low on experience and history. Some have predicted second in the SEC East to the (shudder) dogs of Athens. Some third? (what, are you kidding me?) With South Carolina and the evil dogs coming in ahead of us. I say that's all bull. The Gators will finish first in the SEC East this year with one loss on the road to Auburn. We will go to Atlanta and lose to Arkansas, we'll get the Sugar Bowl, HOGS will go to the NC game against Oklahoma. The National Champs? Who cares?!? It won't be the Gators. That's my prediction. What's yours? Oliver Barry CRS,GRI Real Estate Broker Bob Parks Realty 1517 Hunt Club Blvd Gallatin TN 37066 Phone: 615-826-4040 Fax: 615-822-2027 Mobile: 615-972-4239 Gatorsports.com Top 25 - No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies <http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=GS&Date=20110803&Categ ory=ARTICLES&ArtNo=110809899&Ref=AR&Profile=1185&MaxW=445&border=0> By Adam West Staff writer Published: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 10:19 p.m. NO. 16 VIRGINIA TECH 2010 record: 11-3 overall; 8-0 in the ACC. Lost to Stanford 40-12 in the Orange Bowl. Returning starters offense/defense: 6 on offense; 7 on defense. Strength: Running game. Leading rusher Ryan Williams may have moved on to the NFL, but don't expect the Hokies to miss a beat with David Wilson taking over full-time. Wilson is extremely versatile, rushing for 619 yards and five touchdowns last season to go along with 15 catches for 234 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. The Hokies have some continuity on the offensive line with four returning starters, which will help Williams find holes in opposing defenses. Weakness: Quarterback. The Hokies' top priority in 2011 is finding a replacement for four-year starter Tyrod Taylor. Sophomore Logan Thomas is already drawing comparisons to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton for his size (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), mobility and big arm. Thomas was a star quarterback in high school, but was originally recruited by the Hokies as a tight end. His stay at the position was short-lived, however, as he impressed the Virginia Tech coaches in practice. A solid running game, good group of receivers and easy early-season schedule should help Thomas get acclimated to his new role. Biggest star: Jayron Hosley. The play-making cornerback led the country in interceptions with nine in 2010. He has a chance to be a first-round pick in next year's NFL draft. He was also one of the nation's top punt returners last season, averaging 12.6 yards per return and a touchdown. Rising star: Corey Marshall. The four-star defensive end was one of the prizes of an overall subpar 2011 recruiting class in which the Hokies were beat out on many of the state's top prospects to their state rival Virginia. Marshall was a standout at Dinwiddie (Va.) High School with 122 tackles and 14 sacks in his senior season. Toughest game: Nov. 10, at Georgia Tech. The first of two straight Thursday night games in November, this is Virginia Tech's' toughest road game of the season. The Hokies defeated the Yellow Jackets 28-21 at home in 2010, one of the closest victories they had in the midst of their 11-game winning streak. All eyes will be on the Hokies for two straight Thursday ESPN games this year with Virginia Tech hosting North Carolina the following week. How Virginia Tech navigates these two tricky late-season games against ACC Coastal Division rivals could determine whether or not the Hokies return to the conference title game. Overview: Frank Beamer's program has been a model of consistency for many years. The Hokies have made 18 straight bowl appearances and have won three of the past four ACC title games, and look to have a good shot at returning again this season. The non-conference schedule should be easy with the Hokies opening the season with Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall. Virginia Tech should cruise to a 4-0 start, but then again, the Hokies lost to James Madison in 2010 after opening with a loss to Boise State. After those two early losses, Virginia Tech went on an 11-game hot streak before being dismantled by Andrew Luck and Stanford in the Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech has won double-digit games for the past seven seasons and should make it eight with an easy schedule. -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
