The Donger's Hokie Preview...

QB - Most would say this position is all about Tyrod Taylor but I say it is just as much about the loss to graduation of Sean Glennon. Glennon was a 2 year starter and a calming influence on the offense when he entered the game. That is the polar opposite of the high-strung and speedy Taylor. Taylor can certainly hurt you with both his arm and his legs but he has also been known to panic and throw balls up for grabs and/or leave the pocket too early. NU was NOT able to contain him in
2008 (Taylor produced 258 yards of total offense) but with his security blanket gone, if NU can force him in to bad decisions, then NU will have a chance to pull the upset. The stable is fairly empty behind Taylor, although Hokie fans are very high on redshirt freshman, Ju-Ju Clayton, a member of the 2009 "Best Names in Football All American" team.

RB - The loss of Darren Evans to a torn ACL could be devastating to this offense, as Evans last year set freshman records at VT for yards in a season (1,265) and touchdowns (11). In the last 6 games of the season, he ran for 746 yards, including 153 in the Orange Bowl. He also set the VT single game record with 253 vs. Maryland, and the ACC Title game record with 114. With his departure, the Hokies will turn to Josh Oglesby. Oglesby is the only RB on the roster that has carried the ball in a game, and he only has 38 carries for 88 yards. Oglesby will be backed up by fifth year senior Kenny Lewis but after those two, there are two players whom NU fans should be familiar with, as NU was heavily recruiting both of them in 2007 - Ryan Williams and David Wilson - both are speedsters that will see plenty of playing time behind Oglesby & Lewis.

WR/TE - This will be a strong position in 2009. The Hokies return 5 starters here. At SE/FL, they have Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin and Dyrell Roberts. Collin Carroll and Brandon Dillard are both letter-winners that can play either the SE or FL position. Taylor will have plenty of capable targets to throw to, as VT tries to establish the passing game early in the season, while making decisions about the RB position. At TE, senior Greg Boone and junior Andre Smith are both back having both started in 2008.

OL - Preseason All American Sergio Render (RG) leads a group that has been the weak linke for the Hokies over the past two seasons. They have consistently failed in run-blocking and have not allowed Taylor ample time in the pocket. Ed Wang (All ACC) returns at RT with sophomore Blake DeChristopher at LT. The tackle position is the strength of the OL, as senior Richard Graham can play either side of the line.
Coaching - Frank Beamer, Bryan Stinespring, and Matt O'Cain tend to be unpredictable when things are going well for the Hokie offense. It's when the offense starts to show signs of sputtering, that they become very conservative and try to rely on the running game. As mentioned earlier, the security blanket of Sean Glennon is not on the sideline this year, so the Hokies will have to ride it out with Taylor - good or bad. If you can establish the line of scrimmage and put pressure on the QB, you can disrupt this offense.
Summary - If the offensive line rounds into form, then this should be a formidable, albeit youthful, offense. With another year of experience, Taylor should be even more of a threat at QB, assuming that he cuts down on turnovers and bad decisions. If Oglesby, or one of the two speedsters proves to be even serviceable at RB, then the Hokies should be in line for another ACC Title game appearance, an Orange Bowl and/or BCS Title game appearance. The schedule, however, is daunting early on with games vs. #5 Alabama (in Atlanta) and home against #22 Nebraska.
Sandwiched in between is a home game against Marshall, whom VT has notoriously NOT played well against. Could the Thundering Herd pull the upset? The once proud Miami Hurricanes follow the date with Nebraska and later in the season there are trips to Georgia Tech and East Carolina. If the Hokies can come out of those 5 games at 4-1 or better, they should be ranked in the Top 5 and be a legitimate National Title contender.

Defense
Bud Foster's defense should be as much of a stalwart in 2009, as it was in 2008 and has been historically since Foster arrived at the school. Each of the three units, defensive line, linebacker and defensive back, suffered a loss or two but overall the defense remains intact. Seven of the eleven starters return, and should be led by defensive tackle Cordarrow Thompson, linebackers Cody Grimm and Cam Martin, as well as defensive back Cam Chancellor. In 2008, Tech led the ACC in Total Defense, Scoring Defense, Pass Efficiency Defense, Sacks as well as Punt Return Average. The "Lunchpail" defense was also second in Rushing Defense, Turnover Margin and Red Zone Defense.

DL - The loss of DE Orion Martin will hurt this unit, but in 2008 the defense only had 3 defensive ends and 3 defensive ends that played nearly 94% of the plays. In 2009, this unit will be bolstered by greater depth at both positions, led by DT Cordarrow Thompson. Big things are expected from Thompson, after a rather pedestrian season last year. Jason Worilds and Nekos Brown will start at DE and the other tackle is John Graves. Cam Martin and/or Cody Grimm will hold down the other "flex" linebacker position.

LB - If there is a definite weakness on the Tech defense, it is definitely at the linebacker position. The Hokies lose all 3 starters from 2008, as Xavier Adibi, Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant all used up their eligibility. Adibi's loss will be particularly difficult to deal with, as he was a 2nd team All American and is now vying for a starting position with the Houston Texans. Stepping into the fray will be two untested sophomores in Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson. If the Tech defensive line isn't the anchor of the defense it is supposed to be, then the defense will be susceptible to both power running games and short-controlled passing attacks - both positive signs for Nebraska.

DB - Another All American was lost in the defensive backfield, as Macho Harris also bolted for the NFL, and may start for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, this may be a source of strength for the Hokies as all the other players returning have significant playing time under their belts. The group will be led by Cam Chancellor, and he will be flanked by Stephan Virgil and rovers Dorian Porch and Davon Morgan. With NU's lack of speed and experience at the WR position, the Hokies may elect to play a lot of man coverage and force NU to beat them through the air.
This could be the matchup that turns the game in one team's favor.

Special Teams - As always, the Hokie special teams will be a force to be reckoned with. The success of the special teams under Frank Beamer is well documented, so we won't rehash that here. Let's just say that NU had better be ready to have the kitchen sink thrown at it, in all aspects of the kicking game. Look for one, or both, of the freshman running backs to handle kickoff duties, with either Coale, Boykins or Roberts handling the punt return duties. The Hokies do return punter Brent Bowden. The clear weakness on the special teams will be the place-kicking, as currently the only kicker on the roster is true freshman, Cody Journell.