7-Straight: A Synopsis

Well that was fun, wasn't it? Watching the Joe Tessitore-induced BCS apocalypse made for one of the more fun Saturdays in recent memory. This past weekend - from Thursday to the wee moments of Sunday morning - reminded us all why we love college football.

And after watching gleefully as the number 2, 4, 5, and 7-ranked BCS teams fall by the wayside, we are left with this:

IT ALL MEANS NOTHING.

The primary concern of every Hokie should not be an implausible BCS National Championship Game berth. It should not be about a possible rematch with the only team that defeated us this season, Clemson. The focus should be our next 60 minutes of football in Scott Stadium. To quote our beloved Metallica, "NOTHING ELSE MATTERS."

For those that have gotten to know me, you are aware that I am not from Virginia. I did not grow up in a Tech or UVA family, indoctrinated one way or another. I just happened to go to school in Blacksburg for six years. Although I have numerous derogatory nicknames for the Cavaliers, I never really developed a hatred for UVA. Then again, I had no reason; during my time in Blacksburg, Tech never lost to the Wahoos on the gridiron, winning seven-straight games.

2004: (11^th) VT 24 – (16^th) UVA 10

My freshman year, and my first taste of the Commonwealth Cup. I remember being nervous walking into Lane Stadium; rivalry games always have a funny way of unfolding, and I had watched the previous autumn on TV a talented Hokie team lose to UVA. Memories of the late-season Tech collapses of recent years remained fresh, and this seemed like a ripe opportunity for the Hokies to stumble against a ranked Cavalier team. This game was HUGE. Both teams were in the thick of the ACC title race, and I still wasn't sold on how good our squad was. A scoreless first half confirmed my reservations, but the defense played crazy-good. We blocked a field goal. Then after giving up a 78-yard gain to Alvin Pearman, the D stood tall and forced a fumble on second-and-goal that Jonathan Lewis recovered. UVA jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the third… then Bryan Randall and Josh Hymen decided to put on a clinic (2 TDs). Cedric Humes sealed to victory with a 37-yard romp up the middle. Tech's victory eliminated UVA from ACC title talks, and set up a winner-takes-all showdown in Miami against the Hurricanes the following week. UVA finished the year 8-4 (5-3 ACC), losing to Fresno State in the MPS Computers Bowl.

2005: (7^th) VT 52 – UVA 14

The infamous 'V-T' spray paint game! Did some ingenious Hokie vandalize the football field? Was it an inside job? In the end, it really didn't matter. In one of the most lop-sided games in the Commonwealth Cup's history, the game blew wide open when Michael Johnson attempted to use his Oakley helmet visor to field a punt. Roland Minor recovered the muffed punt, and the Hokie lead went from 10 to 17 points. This game was a complete Tech domination: the Hokies outgained UVA by 250 yards, with over 300 yards on the ground (both Brandon Ore and Cedric Humes went over the century mark and combined for five TDs). Hell, Aaron Rouse even killed back-to-back Wahoo drives with interceptions. UVA would finish the year with a victory over Minnesota in the Music City Bowl and a 7-5 (3-5 ACC) record.

2006: (17^th) VT 17 – UVA 0

This was a beautiful game, and perhaps the best example of how dominant the Tech defense was from 2005-06. The all-maroon clad Hokies had the #1 ranked defense in the nation, and held UVA to only 112 yards, forcing two turnovers for their fourth shutout of the season. In the third quarter alone, Tech outgained UVA 160-12 in yardage, including a long TD from Sean Glennon to Eddie Royal. Eddie proved to be a constant thorn in the side of Al Groh's defense, racking up 15 catches for 287 yards and 3 TDs over the course of his career against the Cavaliers. UVA would finish the season 5-7 (4-4 ACC).

2007: (8^th) VT 33 – (16^th) UVA 21

For the first time, the winner of the Commonwealth Cup was assured a place in the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville. Tech earned a rematch with Matt Ryan and Boston College behind a complete effort, outgaining the 'Hoos by 189 yards on offense. Brandon Ore racked up 150 yards rushing, Eddie Royal had 150 yards receiving, but it was Tyrod Taylor's 2 rushing TDs that proved instrumental for the win. Tyrod's first score would provide one of the more unforgettable images of his career at Tech, doing his best Superman impression in the corner of the end zone. UVA finished 9-3 (6-2 ACC) and lost to Texas Tech 31-28 in the Gator Bowl.

2008: VT 17 – UVA 14

Neither was ranked – a first for this series since Virginia Tech joined the ACC – and proved to be the closest Commonwealth Cup during Tech's streak. UVA started CB Vic Hall under center instead of Marc Verica, and he played perhaps the game of his career (offensively), constantly keeping the Hokie defense off guard with his scrambling ability. Although he did not complete a pass, during UVA's final scoring drive a Hall pass-attempt drew a pass interference on UVA's final scoring drive before he ran in for a touchdown from 16 yards out. Hall had 109 yards rushing and 2 TDs, including a 40-yard run that put the 'Hoos in field goal range to tie late in the game. Two plays later, Dorian Porch intercepted Verica, ensuring the win for the Hokies. Offensively, Tech ran the 'Wild Turkey' package with Greg Boone a number of times, and Tyrod Taylor accounted for 274 total yards, 137 each passing and rushing. Sean Glennon passed for only 39 yards and was intercepted on his final pass of his career at Lane Stadium. UVA finished the season 5-7 (3-5 ACC).

2009: (14^th) VT 42 – 13 UVA

Tech broke out the first iteration of their Pro Combat uniforms for the second time, and Ryan Williams had perhaps his finest game as a Hokie, running for 183 yards and 4 TDs (one in which he went airborne for). Al Groh's last home game was marked by another dominant Tech offensive performance, outgaining UVA by 187 yards. Danny Coale found a way to be open on the sideline that defied the rules of modern physics, Jarrett Boykin recovered what would have been RMFW's fifth touchdown as a fumble in the endzone, and David Wilson even chipped in with 50 yards rushing and a TD of his own. UVA finished 3-9 (2-6 ACC), and began (to the sadness of many Hokies) searching for a new head football coach.

2010: (16^th) VT 37 – UVA 7

UVA hired Mike London, formerly of the University of Richmond, and we were all subject to a rhetoric of "New 'Hoos" regarding in-state recruiting. On the football field, little changed. London's braggadocio in game management proved pivotal. In the second quarter, with his Cavs down 7-0, London called for a fake punt out of their rugby style formation on 4^th and 2. Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and Bruce Taylor combined to stop the ball carrier short, and the route was on. Ryan Williams and David Wilson scored two touchdowns each, and Tyrod Taylor had 200 yards of total offense on Senior Day. UVA finished 4-8 (1-7 ACC) in their first season under Mike London.

Which brings us to this coming Saturday. Much like 2007, both teams will be ranked, and a berth in the ACC Championship is on the line. But this Cavalier squad just FEELS different. This is a group that wills its way to win, and that is a testament to the job that Mike London has done. This group of Wahoos didn't lose to an FCS squad, it pummeled a good William & Mary team. This group of Wahoos beat a top-15 ranked Georgia Tech team, a more talented Miami team, and a Seminole team in Tallahassee. This is a UVA team with confidence, and dare I say, swagger.

This year, the weekend after Thanksgiving is going to be a battle. For Hokie Nation, only on thing matters: Beat UVA.

Let's make it 8-straight.