2021 HokiesFB Season Preview with Mike McDaniel

2016. It’s year one. Head coach Justin Fuente and staff’s first year in Blacksburg after Virginia Tech legend Frank Beamer’s retirement. Jerod Evans under center. Stout defense. 9 regular season wins and a trip to the ACC Championship game for the first time since 2011. The Hokies earn a Belk Bowl victory in dramatic fashion against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The future looked very bright in Blacksburg.

2020. It’s year five. COVID-19 swept the nation and changed the college football game as we know it. Khalil Herbert bursts onto the scene as one of Virginia Tech’s most exciting running backs in recent years. Things start off hot in September with big wins over NC State and Duke. But come December, the Hokies sat with a record of 5-6 with embarrassing losses to Liberty and Wake Forest. The 27 year bowl streak came to an end. The fan base had never been more divided, even after winning the Commonwealth Cup back…

So where does that leave us?

2021. It’s year six. On paper, things will go back to normal. No last minute schedule changes. No more quiet Center Street. Lane Stadium will be full of 65,000 rabid Hokie faithful waiting to jump to Enter Sandman on September 3rd. It’s make or break, and everyone who sports that logo and that Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange knows it. This season is paramount. There are no more second chances. In the famous words of Al Davis, “Just win, baby.” Just win, and the rest will take care of itself. We’ll be watching. Let’s go Hokies.