This Could Be The Year The Streak With Virginia Tech Ends

One of the great things about walking the hallways of the global headquarters of JerryRatcliffe.com is the opportunity to debate Hootie on the latest story he just wrote. Which was the case last night when he said the Wahoos would definitely not finish last in the Coastal Division of the ACC.

I actually agree with that, as North Carolina is a steaming, smoking, dumpster fire destined to spend the year in the league’s basement. But proclaiming Miami the best, saying Boston College was a dark horse, and dismissing Virginia Tech the way most dismiss a telemarketer calling during dinner…those were grounds for a debate.

Miami had a great year last year, and Mark Richt certainly enjoyed a fantastic initial season coaching his alma mater. But for as long as I can remember, the three greatest lines I’ve heard in sports are “I will pay you tomorrow’, “the check is in the mail”, and “Miami is back.” Every year the media loves them. Every year they have great athletes and incredible speed. And every year – except last year – they lose to somebody they shouldn’t.

If the ‘Canes win it this year, then I’m a believer. I will concede they are back. But one year and a lot of ESPN 30 for 30 reruns don’t mean Miami is a dynasty again.

The Boston College pick even led to this conversation:

“I am so sure Boston College is not as good as you say, I’ll bet you right now Virginia Tech will finish higher in the Coastal than Boston College”, I said.

“No,” Hootie replied.

“Why not?”

“Because we can’t make that bet.”

“You’re not that big a believer in Boston College after all?”

“No, Boston College isn’t in the Coastal.”

I hate it when he’s right.

My belief is Virginia Tech will contend because Justin Fuente’s offense has really needed 3 things in the past: a good, solid offensive line, a quarterback who understands his system, and speed at the WR position. A great running back isn’t an absolute necessity. The word in Blacksburg is this may be the best offensive line they’ve had in a few years. For the first time in the Fuente era, the same QB still be starting two years in a row. They’ve got speedy WRs.

They also have a defense that lost a boatload of starters, so for the Hokies to be successful, they’re going to have to win some shootouts. Just as this will be the year Miami will prove one way or the other whether it is back, this will also be the year we see the real Fuente. He’s in year 3 now with mostly his own recruits. They could surprise everyone in the division, or just as equally go 6-5.

Which brings us to the lengthy losing streak for the Wahoos. I do believe this is the year it ends. Truth be told, Hokie fans have been expecting it to end for about five years now. Several times, I thought it was over before UVa treated the fourth quarter the same way Washington pro sports teams (with the exception this year of the Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals) treat the playoffs. Bronco is absolutely right to make the game a priority because it is a winnable game.

It’s particularly true this year because mobile quarterbacks have always given Bud Foster and the Hokie defense fits. Strong running teams Virginia Tech can stop. Strong passing teams have been slowed by VT’s pass rush and blitzes. But Foster puts his defensive backs out on an island one-on-one, and when a quarterback starts moving around, it has always caused issues. It’s one of the reasons the Hokies always have problems with Georgia Tech.

Bryce Perkins is that mobile quarterback. Mobile quarterbacks, of course, get hit a lot and are not the same players in November they are in September. But if he holds up and fulfills the potential some insiders seem to think he has, he will be a problem for the Hokies later in the year.

Who do I like to win it all? It’s going to be either Miami or Virginia Tech. I think Virginia finishes in the top 4.

I also think the guy who gave UNC a first-place vote needs to be drug tested.