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I hear he also takes candy from babies.

The Hokie offensive line is leaner, meaner, and hopefully better in 2013. Photo credit www.twitter.com/coachgrimey

While the likely rotation came into focus last week, Coach Jeff Grimes made it official yesterday on his twitter account, announcing Jonathan McLaughlin, Caleb Farris, David Wang, Andrew Miller, and Laurence Gibson as the starting offensive line for the Alabama game. Most attention has been focused on McLaughlin, who will be the first true freshman under Frank Beamer to start at left tackle for the Hokies.

Andy,

I read your blog this afternoon, and I was touched by the story about your grandfather. I know our TKP family have enjoyed your writing, and while we knew you were away on personal business, you were missed, we just didn't know why you were away.

First and foremost, let me say that its game week. We made it. Congratulations everyone.

Anyway, I said at the end of last season that there was no way I was going to buy into the #BeatBama business. I applauded Joes efforts to try and reinvigorate the fan base after the most disappointing season in years but I couldnt get behind it myself. I couldn't have my heart broken again by the team, not again. I would believe it when I saw it. That said, I felt like I knew a couple of things about last years Crimson Tide that maybe the average fan didnt know, things that are important for this Saturday.

Andy Bitter just tweeted the starting line. Gibson, Miller, Wang, Farris and McLaughlin.

I lined up the 2009 and 2013 Virginia Tech starting squads below, with the advantage being highlighted in bold.

In summary, I think we're a slighly better overall team. I think we are better on defense, particularly the defensive line and and secondary, and slightly worse at the offensive skill positions. We are relatively neutral on the offensive line, and I give the edge to r-SR Logan over JR Tyrod.

someone please enter this contest with the Danny Coale catch ....!!

https://winfromwithin.gatorade.com/

Tyrod took a hit to the head in last night's game against the Panthers - if you haven't seen the game highlights (found here), it was classic Beamerball in all it's glory - and went straight to the locker room to be evaluated for a possible concussion. In typical Tyrod fashion, he was running on 3rd and long and was diving for the first down. Hopefully he's fine and can suit up August 29th against the Rams in the Raven's preseason finale; if he's able to play, he'll get a lot of reps.

I just found this video (again). It seems to sum up the way I feel about this upcoming year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfDp89Pwu88&list=TL1T1hj8qQWrg

http://espn.go.com/college-football/preview13/story/_/id/9582258/which-p...

In the "Backyard Football" category, even though Kyle Fuller is typo-ed as a "Guard" and had a relatively down season last year, good to know he's still under some recognition as one of the better football players out there.

Also, Antone Exum is one of the selections under "Lockdown Corners". He's in good company in that category.

David Teel recently put up a blog post with a review of Beamer's new book (due out next month I think). Here is one of the most interesting nuggets to me:

* Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster tells Snook that he turned down an opportunity to join Kevin Sumlins Texas A&M staff prior to last season.

He also takes a shot at LOLUVA's recruiting practices and talks about how close he still is to Michael Vick. And he drinks Johnnie Walker Black.

Should be a good read. The whole post is here: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/teel-blog/dp-teel-time-beamer-book,0,14...

Link Here

1st Team : James Gayle, Jack Tyler, Antone Exum
3rd Team: Andrew Miller, Derrick Hopkins, Kyshoen Jarrett

Not terrible, I feel they disrespect Kyle Fuller by not making him at least 3rd team.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/9586336...

He was previously seriously considering VT and might be a priority due to our running back outlook.

Like most of you, I'm obsessed with Virginia Tech football. I don't have the knowledge of a guy like French or the visionary magic of BilldozerVT/Mstrawther (you guys rock). But what I do have is unbridled passion from my alma mater and the extreme inherent bias that comes with it.

I firmly believe Frank Beamer is the best head coach in the country. I firmly believe Bud Foster is the best defensive coordinator in the country. I firmly believe Hokie Nation is the best fanbase in organized sports. I firmly believe Danny Coale did catch the ball. I firmly believe in blacking out during tailgates and blacking in to Enter Sandman. Finally, I firmly believe that it's cute that UVA thinks they are beginning to "build a dynasty".

A few Podcasts that might be interesting for Hokie fans to listen to.

Most of you probably know Hood as the guy who flushed his Alabama offer down his toilet. But it sounds like he is taking his time to reconsider his options:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2013/8/20/4640926/el...

It sounds like he's now a heavy UNC lean but he does hold an offer from VT. I believe he's projected at either tailback or as an inside linebacker.

Well ok, it's just the kicker. But he was the #1 rated kicker in the country

http://www.streakingthelawn.com/2013/8/15/4624600/gary-wunderlich-flips-...

Check out the comments "48 East Lawn" put up after this happen...typical UVA douchebaggery.

John Madden had his uber Bus to travel the country, I'd have this

As an avid sports fan, I have opened up a new sports blog, Greenhouse Sports. The blog focuses on all sports, not necessarily Virginia Tech football, but I have recently written some articles that I think HokieNation and TKP would find interesting.

I am fairly new to sportswriting, so feel free to leave any comments/suggestions/hints either below, or in the actual articles.

Here are the articles:

Here are my 2013 Virginia Tech Football Game-by-Game Predictions:
http://greenhousesports.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/2013-virginia-tech-foot...