Hokie hope, Cavalier confidence...

The ACC enters it's third season of divisional play with everyone chasing Virginia Tech. The Hokies boast five players on the preseason all conference team and return 16 starters; runningback Brandon Ore finished runnerup in ACC preseason Player of the Year balloting. One concern for coach Frank Beamer, believe it or not, is the Hokies kicking game. He has a new punter, kicker and longsnapper this year--although kickoff specialist Jared Develli returns. An early trip to top-ten LSU will be an early indicator of how good this team will be--and unfortunately it's in Baton Rouge at night. After that, the Hokies face one tough test (Clemson in Death Valley October 6th) until a late-season gauntlet that starts with back-to-back Thursday night games against Boston College and Georgia Tech before consecutive home games against Florida State and Miami. A backloaded schedule that could either propel or sink Virginia Tech's hopes. Virginia also benefits from a schedule that doesn't get rough until after Columbus day; September tests against Georgia Tech (Yellowjackets less with the absence of Calvin Johnson) and Pitt (Panthers less with the presence of Dave Wannstedt) are the only challenges until Al Groh's team stops by College Park October 20th. It will be interesting to see what the offseason accomplished for quarterback Jameel Sewell-- will he be that much better than the raw talent we saw in 2006, or have defensive coordinators after extensive film sessions broken down the sophomore's weaknesses? And can redshirt freshman runningback Keith Payne be this year's Sewell? Year seven will be pivotal for coach Al Groh and staff-- with 17 of 22 starters returning and a conference slate that is rather kind--no Boston College, Clemson or Florida State plus September games against North Carolina and Duke (combined 3-21 last year). As highly regarded as the past few recruiting classes have been, the Cavaliers own just 28 wins over the last four years (8th best in the ACC-and worst among schools not in the state of North Carolina).