The Virginia Tech Hokies begin their 2022 college football season with a date across the great state of Virginia to take on Old Dominion under the Friday night lights. These two foes last played in 2019 when Virginia Tech won 31-17, but Old Dominion beat the Hokies in 2018 by the score of 49-35. Virginia Tech is an 7.5 point favorite in the early lines in this game. The over-under is 49.5.
The Virginia Tech Hokies had a decent year in 2021, going 4-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 6-7 overall. The teamʻs best win a year ago was a 29-24 win over Virginia in the final regular season game, but then they got their doors blown in the Pinstripe Bowl, losing to Maryland 54-10. So what does this season hold for the Hokies? They are predicted by several pundits to be in the middle of the road again in the ACCʻs Coastal Division. The biggest change for 2022 is at the top, as former Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry is the new head coach, replacing Justin Fuente, who left after a few underwhelming seasons. Pry will be looking to improve on a defense that gave up 25.3 points and 393.2 yards per game last season. The offense will be led by new offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen, who also coached at Penn State and the NFLʻs Jacksonville Jaguars.
It's back.#ThisIsHome | #GroundUp
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The quarterback position is a big question mark as last yearʻs starter Braxton Burmeister transferred to San Diego State. Grant Wells, who transferred from Marshall, will be the starter. Last season he started 13 games for Marshall, throwing for 3,535 yards and 16 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Also, the teamʻs top two receivers from a year ago are gone, leaving Kaleb Smith as the top returning wideout. He had 20 receptions for 260 yards a year ago. The top rusher, Raheem Blackshear, is also gone, but Malachi Thomas, who ran for 440 yards last season, should step up as the top back this season. However, he is out in week one, and the next man up, Jalen Holston, is questionable for Friday, so the backfield is a question mark for this game.
The defense should be the stronger unit, as the top two tacklers from a year ago, Dax Hollifield and Alan Tisdale are back. TyJuan Garbutt holds down the defensive line and heʻll ge t help from Nebraska transfer Pheldarius Payne. The defensive backfield should be solid too, with safeties Nasir Peoples and Chamarri Conner and cornerback Amari Chatman all back from last season.