Miami Hurricanes Football: Q&A with Fighting Gobbler’s Tim Thomas

Thursday night’s game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Virginia Tech Hokies is huge. The loser is all but forgotten in the ACC Coastal division race and the winner still has some hope in the weird division. The ‘Canes are looking to win on the road for the first time this season, and for the first time in Blacksburg since 2005. Thursday night at Lane Stadium should be a fun one and it hopefully results in a Hurricanes victory.

We would like to thank Tim Thomas of Fighting Gobbler for taking the time and answering some questions we had regarding the Virginia Tech football team heading into Thursday’s showdown.

Q: This is the third straight season that Virginia Tech hasn’t been a dominant team in college football. Why do you think that is and what needs to happen for Virginia Tech to get back into national relevancy?

A: The offense lacked quality skill position players and Beamer Ball just slipped over the past few seasons. The defense has continued to be strong but the offense wasn’t the same, especially with the void at the skill positions after losing David Wilson, Jarrett Boykin, and Danny Coale. However, the future is bright in Blacksburg and next year’s team will only lose three defensive starters and one quality offensive contributor along with two offensive line starters which actually might be an upgrade. Virginia Tech can run the table next season up to the ACC Championship if they beat Ohio State on Labor Day night. That is how confident I am in this team’s future.

Q: Quarterback Michael Brewer has been inconsistent as the quarterback this season. What can we expect out of him Thursday night against Miami?

A: I think Brewer turned the corner against North Carolina when he only threw one interception as he led them to a big victory. Brewer was not that bad against Pittsburgh but play calling hurt what he could actually do. I expect Brewer to play well against Miami and the game plan and play calling to be a lot better. Also, Brewer should have a run game to boost the offense with the return of Marshawn Williams.

Q: Virginia Tech wants to run the ball and Miami seems to not be able to stop the run the last couple of seasons. What are some names that a casual fan must know that might have a big game on the ground against the Hurricanes?

A: There’s one name and that’s true freshman Marshawn Williams. Williams is a tough, strong runner that breaks tackles and humiliates opposing defenders by plowing through them. Williams has even drawn a couple comparisons to Marshawn Lynch because of his strength and is one of the toughest power runners in all of college football. Williams is a star in the making.

Q: Miami’s secondary has yet to be tested this season. Which receiver(s) do you think will give Miami the most trouble?

A: Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips have both been very productive as true freshmen but I have to go with redshirt freshman tight end Bucky Hodges. Hodges has limitless potential and has tremendous speed and athleticism for a tight end at 6-6 and around 245 pounds. Hodges is an absolute terror for defenses and was one of two freshmen on the John Mackey Award mid-season watch list. Hodges is only getting better every week and he is hard to stop especially in the red zone.

Q: Pittsburgh had success on the ground against VT last Thursday. How is Virginia Tech going to contain Duke Johnson? And who replaces Chase Williams, who is out with injury, at the middle linebacker spot?

A: Andrew Motuapuaka will start in Williams’s spot but Deon Clarke will also need to pick up the load. The Hokies will need to load the box with seven or eight players to contain Duke Johnson and don’t be surprised if they use a 4-2-5 defense a lot with defensive back Kyshoen Jarrett playing as a seventh player in the box.

Q: Finally, who do you think wins this game and why?

There is nothing like Thursday Night football in Blacksburg and the Hokies will shine with the national spotlight on them. Marshawn Williams will take advantage of the holes he gets and plow through some Miami players. Meanwhile, the Virginia Tech defense will get to Brad Kaaya and force some turnovers. The Hokies will play their best game in front of the loudest crowd in all of college football and Virginia Tech will cruise to a 38-17 victory.

Once again, we would like to thank Tim Thomas for taking the time to answer these questions about the Hokies football team.