Key Reads: Media Day Edition

via: BeamerBlog

Virginia Tech picked to win ACC

Three of the last four projected league champs didn't win. Ruh-roh, Virginia Tech.

That's a buzz kill. I'm siding with the majority and am picking the Hokies to win. But lets face it, it's a crapshoot.

Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor has adopted confident approach to senior season

"The offense is going to have to score more points than in previous years," said Taylor, a Hampton High graduate who completed 56 percent of his passes last season for 2,311 yards and a career-best 13-to-5 true touchdown-to-interception ratio. "We're going to have to win games."

It really sounds like we're going to step outside our safety zone and be an aggressive offense this year. This makes me happy.

Hokies counting on system, rising talent on defense

"It just goes along," said tackle John Graves, who leads Virginia Tech's returning defensive players with 22 career starts. "Losses happen every year. That's one thing coach [Bud] Foster stresses. He says it's not the losses you have to worry about. He expects the same thing from the guys coming as he did from the guys who left. He tells us to never worry about stuff like that."

We all know by the season's end the defense will be top notch. The question is, will they be sputtering or humming in September?

Hokies defensive tackle John Graves gets ready to kick off the season

John you're all business you're like ready to go for the season. You're, I mean, I love this you're no joke, you're like ready to go. Did you do anything fun this sumemer? Did you take a break for yourself?

Ahh... you know, working out is fun, preparing for the season is fun.

As of right now, my fondness for Graves couldn't be any higher.

Hokies speak at first session at ACC Media Kickoff

"When I go to work out, I know in my head that Boise State is working extremely hard. My goal is to try to do my best and work as hard as they are."

He said that the team lacks me-first players, and that everyone is team-oriented on both sides of the ball.

From everything I've read this year it just sounds like the team is working harder and is more focused than last year. They really don't want to start off another season with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Beamer's Hokies have the look of a title contender

If Virginia Tech can upset Boise State at FedEx Field on Sept. 6, Phil Steele will consider the Hokies a national title contender.

Steele has the Broncos ranked No. 6 in his preseason poll, seven spots ahead of Tech, but he thinks the long trip East might be too much for Boise State.

"I like Virginia Tech in this game," Steele said. "There is no blue turf and, while it's a neutral site, the game is an advantage to Virginia Tech."

So for those of you keeping score at home, we need Steele to be right about Boise and wrong about Miami.

via: Gobbler Country

And finally, this is presented without commentary.