The Hokies are a trendy pick for a lot of things this season. Whether it is to win double-digit games, make a run at the ACC title or the College Football Playoff, or have Kyron Drones as a darkhorse Heisman pick, the Hokies are getting a lot of love this preseason. Virginia Tech has a projected win total of 8.5 at most sportsbooks and Austin Mock at The Athletic says that Virginia Tech going over that win total is one of the best bets in the ACC:

“Look at any returning production or starters chart, and you’ll find Virginia Tech firmly in the top 10. The Hokies will be experienced, and combining that with a favorable schedule makes this an over play. They avoid Florida State, Louisville, SMU and NC State. They do have to travel to Miami, which will be a tough game, but circle their November 9 matchup with Clemson as a game with major playoff implications. My model ranks their defense as the stronger unit, but quarterback Kyron Drones could be a dark-horse Heisman candidate if he takes the next step. I think this team has about the same chance to win 10 games as it does to win eight.”

The Hokies are likely going to be favored in ten games this season and some of them by over a touchdown. The only games in which they might be underdogs is when they go to Miami on September and when they host Clemson in November. If Virginia Tech can win the games that they are favored in as well as splitting the matchups between Miami and Clemson, then they could find themselves in Charlotte playing for an ACC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. There are some potential trip-up spots on their schedule though. Home games against Rutgers and Georgia Tech should not be overlooked, but the good thing is that the games are at home.

Virginia Tech could have a huge season and it begins on Aug. 31st at Vanderbilt.

With the 2024 Virginia football season less than two weeks away, let’s take a look at this year’s team from a different lens, breaking down how the Cavaliers are portrayed in EA Sports College Football 25. Here are eight facts about UVA football in EA Sports College Football 25:

Anthony Colandrea is Higher Rated Than Tony Muskett 

Although the debate rages on as to who will be the starter in week one against Richmond, EA Sports has decided to give the nod to Anthony Colandrea. Colandrea received a 78 overall rating, which includes 83 speed, 90 throw power, and 85 throwing on the run. Comparatively, Muskett received an overall rating of 76. Gavin Frakes is the third quarterback on the roster at 69 overall. 

Virginia is Tied for the Worst Rating in the ACC 

The Cavaliers received an 80 overall ranking, tying them with Duke, Georgia Tech, and Pittsburgh for the worst rating in the ACC. As for specifics, Virginia received a 78 overall offense and 74 rated defense. With Virginia picked to finish 16th or second to last in the ACC Football Preseason Poll, this news does not come as much of a surprise. 

Brian Stevens is Virginia’s No. 1 Offensive Player 

Although probable to be a center for the Cavaliers this season, in the game Brian Stevens is listed as an 88 overall at right guard, the highest rating for a Virginia player on the offensive side of the ball. Close behind is Malachi Fields at 87, followed by Chris Tyree at 81 and Drake Metcalf at 80 overall, who is expected to miss most of the season with an Achilles injury that he suffered back in the spring. The four players are Virginia’s only offensive players rated higher than 80 overall. 

Virginia Football Injury Report: Updates on Tyree, Boley, Wilson, Jackson, Brown

Jonas Sanker is Virginia’s Highest Rated Defensive Player 

The strong safety is Virginia’s highest-rated player at 92 overall. Sanker’s best statistics include 90 speed, 91 acceleration, 90 hit power, 95 pursuit, 93 play recognition, and 94 toughness. To add, Sanker was ranked in the Top 100 players in the game.

The second-highest player on defense is Eastern Michigan transfer Kempton Shine, an 84-rated cornerback followed by sophomore linebacker Kam Robinson at 83 overall. Robinson earned freshman All-American honors last season per On3. 

Chris Tyree Receives High Praise on Special Teams 

EA Sports is predicting a big year for Virginia’s special teams, with senior wide receiver Chris Tyree receiving a 98 overall kick return rating and 97 overall punt return rating. The Notre Dame transfer returned a kick and punt for a touchdown during his time in South Bend and will inject speed and versatility into the Cavaliers special teams unit. 

JR Wilson and Sackett Wood are Most Notably Absent

With JR Wilson not present in the game, EA has Virginia’s wide receiver core as Malachi Fields (87 overall), Chris Tyree (81 overall), and Andre Greene Jr. (79 overall) as the top three, followed by Trell Harris and Suderian Harrison both at 76 overall. At tight end, Sage Ennis and Tyler Neville are both 78 overall rated and the top two in the depth chart, with projected starter Sackett Wood not listed in the game. 

Virginia Football Projected Depth Chart 3.0: Injuries Shake Up Starting Lineup

The Hill is Empty

In EA Sports’ first release of the game, as well as the most recent update, the hill in Scott Stadium in front of the scoreboard is empty with zero fans. The features of the empty hill only include the stairs in the middle and the Seven’s Society logo on the right side if you are facing the hill from the field.

Tyler Simmons is Virginia’s Highest Rated Freshman 

Left end Tyler Simmons, a three-star recruit from Windermere, Florida, is Virginia’s highest-rated freshman at 68 overall. Behind him, wide receiver Andrew Angulo, left tackle Ben York, and free safety Keke Adams are all listed at 67 overall.

With ratings expected to be updated frequently, the fate of Virginia’s ratings in EA Sports College Football now rests in the hands of the players’ performances and results on the field, which are, of course, all that matter anyway.

Virginia Football: Five Reasons for Optimism Going into This Season

Virginia Football Projected Depth Chart 3.0: Injuries Shake Up Starting Lineup

Virginia Football Position Overview: Analyzing UVA’s Pass Catchers in 2024

What ESPN’s Matchup Predictor Indicates For All 12 Virginia Football Games 

With Xavier Brown Injury, Jack Griese is Next Man Up in Virginia RB Room

FAIRLEA, W.Va. (WVVA) -Located in the West Virginia building there is a division that turns heads when walking by.

Filled with creativity and agriculture, kids decorate different types of vegetables and fruits to design something new.

From gum ball machines to birds, this Funny Things Division is used to inspire kids to get involved with the world around them.

The Agricultural Product Superintendent says this gets kids involved at a young age and hopefully keeps them involved for their lifetime.

“The earlier that we get exhibitors engaged, they become lifelong exhibitors. So, if we can get them interested in one item, then usually they come back the next year and they enter one more item. Then the next year they might enter five more items. And before you know it, we have exhibitors that are entering 50 entries at a time,” said Jennifer Sprouse, Agricultural Product Superintendent.

Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.