🏈 Alabama 2013 schedule beat writer breakdown: 5 questions about Virginia Tech

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Roanoke Times and Virginian-Pilot reporter Andy Bitter answers five questions about the Hokies.

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[TerryP]

A honest answer—the type of statement I wish a lot would get through their heads.

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5. We don't typically ask about special teams in these Q&A's, but Virginia Tech's is always worth examining. Will "Beamer Ball" be alive and well in 2013?



- The thing about "Beamer Ball" that most unfamiliar with the program fail to grasp is that it's been gone for quite a while. The whole concept revolves around making big pays on special teams and defense, a total team effort in scoring points. Well, the Hokies haven't scored a defensive touchdown since the 2010 ACC championship game. And they haven't blocked a punt -- once Tech's calling card -- against an FBS opponent since the Boise State opener in 2010, nearly three full years ago.


That's not to say that the Hokies' special teams are terrible. They have weapons. Knowles is a strong kick returner, one who took one to the house last year. Jarrett is equally good on punts. Kicker Cody Journell made three game-winning kicks last year and was pretty accurate. And punter A.J. Hughes, while not spectacular, gave Tech more consistency in its punting game than it's had in years. Still, something has been off, whether it's running into the kicker penalties or jumping offsides on field goals or having blockers inadvertently muff a punt or simply having the punter drop the snap -- all of which happened last year -- that have plagued this team in recent years. Every season there seems to be talk of getting back to "Beamer Ball," but the reality is the special teams haven't been sharp in a couple years. It's tough to tell if this is the year the Hokies actually fix those problems.

 

[Bamabww]

I don't think the VT will even be close. I feel like we'll handle them easily.