Five Keys For VT This Season

Virginia Tech kicks off the 2012 football season against Georgia Tech in less than a month. August camp starts Tuesday, which is essentially a three-week spring practice before the coaches narrow the roster and begin game preparation. Today, we identify five keys for success this year.

Nothing shatters an offense, and any chance of meeting expectations, better than a weak offensive line and entering August, the Hokies look to be playing with fire in that department.

Tech has a solid starting five, a reliable backup returning from injury in

Aside from replacing four starters on the offensive line, the Hokies also lost key playmakers such as

However, with a bunch of relatively new starters at the skill positions, Thomas is going to have to at least be as good as he was last season. The chances of any combination of tailbacks replacing David Wilson's production or impact are slim.

Assistant coach

If the changes work and the players play as expected, defensive coordinator

For the last several years, Virginia Tech's special teams unit has not lived up to its national reputation. Last season, the punting game was the main culprit.

The block unit meanwhile hasn't been effective in a number of years. Coach

For one, the Hokies need to find a way to put pressure on the punter without consistently roughing the guy. Florida found a way to do it with

Whether it takes one, two, three, or even four tailbacks, assistant coach

Between

If he has to find three guys to rush for 500 yards each this season, then so be it. If he can rely on Holmes to break the 1,000-yard mark then that's great too. Tech running backs have eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark as a group every year since 2008, a remarkable run they would like to keep going this season.