The Hokies do have some holes to fill this year on both sides of the ball. QB and ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor, a four-year starter, is gone as are top two running backs Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. But new QB Logan Thomas looks like a future star and has a game rather like 2010 Heisman winner Can Newton – Thomas is a big guy like Newton at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds. David Wilson will be the featured back. Last year he had 619 yards rushing on 113 attempts, an excellent 5.5 yards per carry. He scored five touchdowns rushing, four receiving and two on kickoffs despite not playing full time. Five of the top six pass-catchers are back as are four starters on the offensive line.

The defense is expecting six starters back. Look for James Gayle to blossom into the next great Hokies end. Bruce Taylor anchors the linebackers. He led the team with 91 tackles and was second team All-ACC last season. And cornerback Jayron Hosley was a first-team All-American last season after leading the country with nine interceptions.

Virginia Tech’s over/under for wins at Bodog is 10. The Hokies are still the only team in the country with at least 10 victories for seven consecutive seasons. They open Sept. 3 against Appalachian State.

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