There should be no reason why the Virginia Tech Hokies do not win nine or 10 games next season, even without all-world quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Ryan Williams. Why? The 2011 Virginia Tech football schedule is about as easy as you could make it.
For one thing, there are no big non-conference matchups on the schedule. After facing powerhouses like Boise State, Alabama, LSU and USC in recent years, the Hokies don't face a single power-conference team. Their four non-conference games are against Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall.
For another, the Hokies will avoid having to play Florida State and Maryland, arguably the top two contenders in the ACC Atlantic Division. They also get home games against Miami, North Carolina and Clemson, three of the likeliest contenders for the ACC Coastal Division crown.
Here is Virginia Tech's complete ACC schedule:
Sept. 3 APPALACHIAN STATE
Sept. 10 at East Carolina
Sept. 17 ARKANSAS STATE
Sept. 24 at Marshall
Oct. 1 CLEMSON
Oct. 8 MIAMI
Oct. 15 at Wake Forest
Oct. 22 BOSTON COLLEGE
Oct. 29 at Duke
Nov. 5 OPEN
Nov. 10 at Georgia Tech (Thursday), ESPN, 8 pm
Nov. 17 NORTH CAROLINA (Thursday), ESPN, 8 pm
Nov. 26 at Virginia