Hokies lose Brewer in loss to Ohio State

He’s a game-changer that Ohio State had to rely on when it found itself down to the Hokies at halftime, searching for a sign of life for an offense that had grown stagnant for a few drives.

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) jumps over Virginia Tech safety Desmond Frye (26) during the first half against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., Monday.

Who is going to win the battle on the outside?

Brenden Motley, a junior who is more of a running threat, took over for him.

It is ignorant because one of the toughest things about repeating as a champion is dealing with the fact that you are the barometer or measuring stick by which others that play the game want to measure themselves as competitors. The main receiving weapons are Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges who combined for more than 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns past year. Both quarterbacks played fantastic last season after being thrust into the position due to injuries. Neither Hubbard nor Holmes will be able to truly replace the 2014 unanimous all-American, but the Buckeyes will need the two to play well and be disruptive against Tech.

But the last team to beat the Buckeyes? But how? The Hokies didn’t previous year, against long odds. Many consider the senior’s supporting cast to be better than previous year, which could make for a very interesting encounter against a hard-nosed Ohio State defense. “Coach Meyer was like, ‘Go Cardale, ‘” Jones said about that slightly awkward moment Monday night when a victor was finally declared in the eight-month miniseries that has been the Ohio State quarterback competition.

Jones picked up right where he left off last postseason, when he led the Buckeyes to a national title with victories against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game and Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff. Would it be the Heisman Trophy finalist in J.T. Barrett or the explosive Cardale Jones, who led Ohio State to the National Championship?

Then things really went sour for the Hokies.

The heated Big East rivalry games against the great Miami teams of the ’90s and the early 2000s.

Now in 2015, four of the five members of last year’s offensive line return. Not only is top deep threat Devin Smith gone to the National Football League, and not only is projected breakout player Noah Brown out for the season after breaking his leg in fall camp, but Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson are suspended – along with star defensive end Joey Bosa – for the Virginia Tech game.

Later in the second quarter, Elliott muffed a punt by left-footed Virginia Tech punter A.J. Hughes, and the ball was recovered by Hokies sophomore Anthony Shegog. Defensively, the Virginia Tech Hokies yielded 199.0 yards in passing and 144.8 yards in rushing.

Despite the improbable win last season, Brewer paid with aches and pains – the result of Ohio State’s relentless pressure – that would linger. He is a bigger than life character just playing the game he loves. His presence adds a dimension that Ohio State simply did not have last season.

Welcome to Week 1 of the College Football Vegas Rankings.