VT has been capable of replacing RBs over the course of their decade of dominance. In steps Cedric Humes (for NFL-bound all-time Hokie great Kevin Jones), the next sure-fire 1000-yard rusher in Blacksburg. Oh my…Humes fractured his left fibula in spring practice and is now in rehab for a few months. His return for August may be likely, but how effective he will be is too hard to predict. Mike Imoh, the team's leading kick returner, was the likely candidate to fill the TB slot should Humes continue to hobble. But off-the-field infractions leave Imoh suspended for three games including this one. No fullback returns with worthy real-game experience. If Humes isn't ready physically, Beamer is forced to dig into his third and fourth team running back. If this happens, look for WR Justin Hamilton to get some of the reps as he did in the spring.

Now, more bad news for the fledging Tech run assault - USC finished as the nation's top run defense in 2003 on their way to a National Championship, giving up a stingy 60 yards per game. What does that mean for 2004? Well, USC will boast two All-American DTs in Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, both savvy seniors. Cody has been moved to DE in (what will prove to be) a marginal attempt to replace NFL-bound underclassman Kenechi Udeze. If the Trojans do have a concern on the DL, it will be protecting the outside, as injuries have forced a number of players to vie for a starting spot. All questions here are likely to be answered with gap support, as USC returns each of its starting three LBs. Junior MLB Lofa Tatupu is a freak, taking away anything underneath seemingly at will (four INTs). Senior Matt Grootegoed has been the starting strongside LB for three years now, and his ability to rarely be out of position is a key for this defense's seamless flow, especially as run-stoppers. Instinctive and fast, he will merit All-America consideration. Junior Dallas Sartz started the last half of the season on the strong side last year when Grootegoed had an ankle sprain. And if that weren't enough, look for incoming freshman Keith Rivers to step in from the nation's consensus #1 recruiting class. Rivers was considered by many recruiting services as the top high school LB.

It looks bad as of now for the revamped VT backfield, but sporadic success could be all they need to keep the USC LBs busy in play-action to achieve aerial yardage when needed. Smart money says Beamer employs option-type roll-outs and misdirection that will exploit USC's outside depth issues and keep the Trojans guessing laterally (but only if peppered in just enough and not too much). If done too often, run blitzes by the Trojans would neutralize Tech this way. For some reason, if USC cannot control this line of scrimmage, look for a higher-scoring game to insue, which is really the only scenario where Tech is competitive.
BIG EDGE: USC

But sophomores Steve Smith and Reggie Bush have proven they can stretch defenses, and they will surely step in to make Tech respect the Trojan's passing dimensions. Listeners will be sure to note just how well Head Coach Pete Carroll has been recruiting the last couple of winters - young studs dot the receiving roster. Their names are unheralded, but only until the season starts. Watch out for local California native Whitney Lewis and his multiple threat potential. Combine Lewis with three All-American high school "impact" freshman that will step on the turf for the first time (Fred Davis, Dwayne Jarrett and Derrick Jones), once again, the question quickly becomes up front. The newly reformed OL will marginally (and then consistently) stand up to a blitzing Hokie scheme that is based on quick strikes and a ton of creative heat.

Tech's temperatures may vary, though, for gone are both DEs for VT - Colas and Adibi have finally moved on. Darryl Tapp will bring pressure, but his mates up front have not shown any real flashes in their pass rushing. The Hokies took losses at so many positions, and defensive back is no exception. All-World CB/WR/PR DeAngelo Hall declared early for the NFL. The nation's 76th ranked pass defense of 2003 does have some talent, but not much of it has starting experience. Jimmy Williams and Eric Green can both play either the ball or the developing play just as well, as both are proven tacklers. The rest of the safeties, along with the nickel- and dime-package guys, are capable and eager to fly around in Beamers' creative schemes.

With both the receiver-DB and OL-DL match-ups rather comparable, the major difference becomes Leinart's stellar stature. Look for a classic Trojan war plan - the USC run will set up a plethora of passing successes, including a few TE zingers that should, too, prove to be that extra bit of "Chow" that Tech will not be able to handle.
EDGE: USC