Bad News for VT

[FearTheRaven]

Virginia Tech leading rusher Darren Evans, who set several school records as a freshman, will miss the entire season with a torn left ACL he suffered in practice on Tuesday, the school announced.


It's a huge blow to a young team that was ranked No. 7 in the preseason USA Today coaches' poll and was expected to contend for the national title for the first time in a decade.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4392725

 

[bigdaveyt]

bama -6

winner.

Thanks for the info!

 

[ElTaino]

that guy is an absolute beast and im not sure they can replace him. hopefully he can rehab and come back the same because he could play in the nfl someday, but after an acl injury its rough

 

[bigtendominator]

Huge blow, but Va Tech has done a good job of filling players in as needed.

 

[SoonerBS]

Ryan Williams, the back-up, is suppose to be very special, too. If he pans out, they may yet be alright for the season at RB. I still like Alabama though with or without Evans.

 

[StopDropampLOL]

I actually think the backup Williams is better.

 

[slatter]

I actually think the backup Williams is better.

This. David Wilson is legit, too.

 

[BigdaddyQH]

The line is up to 'Bama -7 now, which may not be all that bad, especially if it continues to climb. Va Tech still as a better QB, better Special Teams, and a very good defense. That is certainly enough to keep them in the game, and if the line climbs to over 7, this is going to be worth a serious look.

 

[TOOTIGHT]

V-Tech will be a sure play if the line goes over 7, I may even buy a .5 even if it stays. Not good news but V Tech has replaced star RB's before and not skipped a beat.

 

[SoonerBS]

The line is up to 'Bama -7 now, which may not be all that bad, especially if it continues to climb. Va Tech still as a better QB, better Special Teams, and a very good defense. That is certainly enough to keep them in the game, and if the line climbs to over 7, this is going to be worth a serious look.

How do we know that V Tech has a better QB? We know that McElroy is largely unproven so we will not throw in his 70% completion percentage for proof whenever he has only completed 8 passes out of 11 in mop up duty. However, you can't simply discount him as not being as good because he does not have as much experience either. Everyone has touted Tyrod Taylor as being the QB of V Tech future and he sure looked like he might be while he was on the bench and Glennon was throwing up a 60% completion percentage along with 3 TDs and 5 interceptions last season. However, what did tyrod taylor do whenever he played for the most of the season last year? He threw for a 57% completion percentage and 2 TDs and 7 interceptions. That's not very impressive. So, can we say with confidence that he is the "better" QB between him and McElroy. NO, we cannot at this stage in the season.

I'll take the top tiered SEC team over the top tiered ACC team on a neutral field.

 

[GrilledCheese]

He's not better.

 

[MightyGinseng]

I'm upset because I wanted Bama less than -7, and the fact that Bama doesn't have game tape of the new guy worries me a bit. Oh well, I'll still be fading Tyrod Taylor and the rest of that sad offense.

 

[jimmyshivers]

This is a blow but he was a young back and VT has always employed a platoon system. To me in football, both college and pro, RB seems to be the easiest position to reload at. You never replace a 1300 yard back completely but VT was going to split carries alot this season and this forces them to play Williams more than they wanted to and dig a little deeper into their stable of backs. They O-line is still very talented, with what should be an improved corp of receives. Don't overreact to this injury and switch sides on this game because its not going to be a high scoring game regardless if evans plays or doesn't. If this drives the 'Bama spread up then it just gives the VT backers even more value IMO. In a game with the total below 40 are you really willing to count on Bama winning by 7?

 

[GoForIt]

This is a blow but he was a young back and VT has always employed a platoon system. To me in football, both college and pro, RB seems to be the easiest position to reload at. You never replace a 1300 yard back completely but VT was going to split carries alot this season and this forces them to play Williams more than they wanted to and dig a little deeper into their stable of backs. They O-line is still very talented, with what should be an improved corp of receives. Don't overreact to this injury and switch sides on this game because its not going to be a high scoring game regardless if evans plays or doesn't. If this drives the 'Bama spread up then it just gives the VT backers even more value IMO. In a game with the total below 40 are you really willing to count on Bama winning by 7?

ACC Jimmy Returns---------Best of luck this season. Your ACC Writeups are always worth a read. Just another factor to consider in a web of many factors.

 

[StopDropampLOL]

This. David Wilson is legit, too.

I agree totally.

 

[groundhog11]

the backup rb's are better.....this wont hurt tech at all, since this is the beginning of fall camp.....i think it would hurt more if it was the week of the game....

 

[BigdaddyQH]

I do not know if the back up's are better, but one thing is for sure. Alabama is not going to score any more points because of this injury, and they were not going to score much to begin with. If you are going to lay more than 7, you are begging to get beat. Va. Tech has too many ways to beat you. If not, they certainly have the ability to keep ot close.

 

[rolltide]

always love when guys say "well I think the backup is better anyway". ok, sure...you can think whatever the hell your uninformed ass wants but the coaches had a reason to give this kid the ball nearly THREE HUNDRED times last year! (as a freshman don't forget)

btw, it wasn't because his backups were better. lol

 

[GoForIt]

Cody just has to fall down and he can clog the middle up

 

[groundhog11]

always love when guys say "well I think the backup is better anyway". ok, sure...you can think whatever the hell your uninformed ass wants but the coaches had a reason to give this kid the ball nearly THREE HUNDRED times last year! (as a freshman don't forget)

btw, it wasn't because his backups were better. lol

they were planning to split the carries this year.....i agree with you that is the reason he is starting, that he is better, but vt coaches and fans seem to think otherwise....