Virginia Tech Loses Evans: What It All Means

If you’re still trying to get a handle on what the loss of leading rusher Darren Evans means for Virginia Tech and the rest of the ACC, you’re not the only one. The Hokies were considered the class of the ACC, stronger than they were last season, and a possible national title contender if they could knock off Alabama in the season opener. And let’s face it, the Hokies were considered the ACC’s only true national contender, at least at this point.

Now, after losing a player who rushed for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and who was named the most valuable player in Virginia Tech’s Orange Bowl victory, the Hokies must rely on three remaining options at running back, all of them having a combined 38 carries.

Virginia Tech will still be strong -- the defense is legit -- but the maligned passing game must carry more of the load. Georgia Tech should now emerge as a legitimate threat in the Coastal Division, if it wasn’t considered that already. The two teams play Oct. 17 in a must-see matchup in Atlanta that should decide the division.

More than that, though, I thought this was the season the ACC, you know, becomes a conference deserving of some national recognition. It’s too early to say it won’t. But Virginia Tech’s loss raises the real possibility that the conference, once again, will be strewn with parity and balance but devoid of a true national stud.