25 Beamerquestions

Hokie can pump iron.  Really.

What is their body of work?

This is one of the top programs in college football.  They've won 10 games for 8 straight seasons.  This year they are 2-1.  They had a workmanlike win over Georgia Tech in the opener (hot tech on tech action) and then they lost to Pitt in a pretty big upset (Pitt had previously lost to Youngstown State).  They are probably the 3rd best team this year in the ACC.



How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

21, which is not a ton.

Who are their statistical leaders?

Their only top 10 player nationally is Jack Tyler, who is tied for 10th in tackles.  In the ACC, Kyle Fuller is tied for 2nd in interceptions.

What is their turnover ratio?

They are -1 so far this year.

Offense:

Would you let your daughter
marry this dude?

How is their QB Play?

Logan Thomas is their QB and they were looking at him to have a huge year this year.  He's a big body Daunte Culpepper type dual-threat QB.  He is not off to a great start.  He's 67th in the nation in passing efficiency (Schilz is 99th, for reference) and he has completed only 54% of his passes.  Not, he has over 700 yards total offense on only 50 completions, which is pretty good, so the ball does get upfield when they are completed.  He has gained 91 yards so far this season (not net) rushing.

What is their scoring and yards per play?

Much to the chagrin of their fans in this week's blog swap, they are 79th in scoring offense.  That's probably about right, given they are at 5.5 yards per play.  This offense has yet to find its stride this year.

Can they run the ball?

They lost a lot of talent from last year, including David "oops" Wilson, and it is showing.  They are running the ball for only 3.45 yards per carry.

Do they pass the ball?

Well, they are near the middle of the pack in passing efficiency.  They do have at least one game breaking receiver (Marcus Davis).

How is their run/pass balance?

Despite their struggles they are committed to running the ball.  They have run it on 51% of their plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are converting at 40% which is in the middle of the national pack.

Do they score in the red zone?

This is a strength.  They are only getting 3 trips per game, but they are scoring 5.3 points per trip, which is very good.

Do they protect the quarterback?

This has been a big issue for them.  They have given up sacks on 6.3% of their passing plays this year, which is not a great number.

Clearly, this is a team that has yet to find its offensive legs.  Maybe they won't--but you have to believe they have talent.  Still, if there is a BCS team BG has a shot at stopping, this might be it.

Hokie/CFMs
"So much YAY in one box..."

Defense:

I know.  Bud FOSTER.  Yeah.  He's like the most famous assistant coach in America.  And the Hokies have produced some pretty good defenses over the years.  He's the best football coach in America named Bud.  True dat.

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

They are good.  They are 41st in the country in scoring defense and allowing only 4.8 yards per defensive play, which is also very solid.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They are 100th in the nation in rushing yards allowed, but that is largely a function of play selection.  At 4 yards per rush, they are not especially good but not terrible.

Can they be passed on?

They are 55th in the nation in passing efficiency defense.  They allow 57% completions and have 4 INTs.  What hurts their ranking is that they give up 11.9 yards per completion, which is relatively high

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They allow only 35% conversions, which is in the top third of the FBS.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They have not been effective in the red zone.  They have given up 12 trips and 9 scores, 8 of where were TDs.  That 5.8 points per trip.

_____ Pokey?

Do they pressure the QB?

4 sacks in 865 passing attempts is 6.2%, which is pretty good.

Special Teams:

So we all know it.  Beamerball is special teams....blocked kicks, big returns.  Are they taking care of business this year on special teams.

Punting?

They are 59th in net punting.

Punt Return?

They are really dangerous.  They have 7 returns for a 26 yard average and 1 TD so far.  Their main guy (Jarrett) has a 94 yrd TD punt return.

Placekicking?

He is 3-4 with a long of 41.  He was 14 of 17 last year.

Words fail me

Kickoff?

They are excellent.  Teams start on the 18.  50% touchback rate.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 26, which is good if not great.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Well, the key intangible has to be that they lost an unexpected game last week, and you don't expect that to happen two weeks in a row.  I'm sure they had a tough week of practice and will be looking forward to taking it out on someone else.  On the other hand, as noted by one of our guests from Va Tech this week, they have lost 2 in a row a couple of times, so it isn't unheard of.