Consider this post the open thread for today's game. You're invited to leave your thoughts in the comments below. Most of us have been working on a holiday schedule, so after the jump are a bunch tidbits and reads found elsewhere on the Interwebs that you might have missed while on vacation. Before proceeding, Box 'shopped another masterpiece.
Now then, let's continue.
Tech visited the Give Kids the World Village. Also, it should be noted that Martin Scales knows the Macarena.
So you're saying we should win the turnover battle...
Bowl fact: Va. Tech and Rutgers combined to go 12-0 when they finished w/ a positive turnover margin, and 0-8 when they finished in the red.— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 28, 2012
SI.com's Andy Staples picked Tech to lose.
• Final analysis: Thomas has had to do everything for Virginia Tech's offense this season. He leads the Hokies in both rushing and passing. If freshman tailback J.C. Coleman can't gain some yards to lighten Thomas' workload, Virginia Tech could struggle. Meanwhile, the Hokies' defense will have to slow Jamison. This is the same unit that gave up 157 yards to Pittsburgh's Rushel Shell and 262 yards to North Carolina's Giovani Bernard. If they bottle up Jamison, then the Hokies have a better chance to force Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova -- who threw five interceptions in the Scarlet Knights' final three games -- into making a mistake. If Jamison is picking up consistent yardage, Nova should be able to take advantage of one-on-one matchups on the outside.
• The pick: Rutgers 24, Virginia Tech 20
Busts in man coverage have been our downfall a few times this season.
SBNation.com's Bill Connelly wrote an in-depth preview. One pick had Tech winning, the other losing, either way it's projected as a close game that could be decided by a big play.
Virginia Tech won two games scoring 24 points or fewer and played in 10 games that saw 55 or fewer total points scored. For Rutgers, those numbers are six and 10, respectively. In fact, there haven't been more than 37 points scored in a Rutgers game since October. A single long pass to Brandon Coleman, Marcus Davis or Corey Fuller ... a single defensive breakdown in a run by Jawan Jamison, Logan Thomas or Random Tech running back ... that could make the difference in the game.
He's harped on it all season long, but Bud Foster again mentioned Tech needed to limit big plays.
"We've got to stop the run. We've got to eliminate their big plays," Foster said before the Hokies practice Tuesday at the Citrus Bowl. "Short pass plays, they can turn them into big plays. The run game and passing game complement each other."
Chris Brown of Smart Football detailed Rutgers outside zone play, and discussed how important it is to Rutgers' offensive game plan.
Watch the press conference (if you like coach speak).
Andy Bitter's feature on, my favorite fullback, Joey Phillips is a great read.
Let's Go!
Comments
as of right now, i'm picking the sunj to win. our hokies just havent shown me much to think they can beat a nine win team. but that opinion will probably change several times during the course of the day. by kickoff i'll probably be pretty hammered and sure of a tech victory.
either way, LETS GO!!!!!!
Give Kids the World
That's AWESOME that they visited there. We stayed there several years ago for my sons trip to Disney. Phenomenal place and just great atmosphere. Way to go Hokies!!!!! So proud.
(btw, he's doing great, in remission from leukemia for over 9 years now. knock on wood.)
BeamerGif
13:53-14:02 is classic Beamer coachspeak sign language.
Go Hokies!!! Please get this W.
Andy Staples
Of course he fails to mention the more recent games regarding VT's Rush defense of holding Clemson to under 100 yards, and FSU to negative rush yards.. Don't think he really has payed much attention to us and his analysis is a bit off. Here's another tidbit. Graham rushed for 172 yards against Notre Dame... Pitt can run the football on anyone, and the same goes for UNC. There is no way in hell that Jamison and the Rutgers O-line is as good as either of those two teams.
Andy Staples
BOOM roasted
I've heard from many people within the Tech program that is seems like the players couldn't care less to be there right now. I hope that's incorrect, but this team has failed to show up in several games this year. You'd think they'd be pumped up for a bowl game and all, but it's the Russell Athletic Bowl for a team that is used to BCS bowls and the occasional Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Plus, there probably won't be much of a crowd to this game either, and we've seen how this team performs in places without that many people watching (Pitt, Miami, BC, etc.). If we build momentum early, Logan makes good decisions, one of our community of running backs gets something going on the ground, our defense makes a couple of stops, and we don't do anything stupid on special teams, we should win this game. Then again, that's a lot to ask for from a team that went 6-6 and barely beat two teams who aren't going to a bowl game just to get into a bowl game.
Let's dedicate this bowl to Coach Mike London
Without him, our appearance might not even be possible!
See the helmets?
Actually like the orange fighting gobbler!!!
Lololololololol Vt came to
Lololololololol
Vt came to play baby this is sad
17 seconds in
Tech's season in a nutshell.
Wow at the pass interference
At least the d showed up
I Want Leal
Call me rash, uninformed, a terrible fan, downvote the shit out of me if you want, but I've seen enough of Logan Thomas starting. What do we have to lose?
No 3 can throw a pretty deep ball but everything short and intermediate hes bern off
Deep balls are nice
...when you have an offensive line.
we know Logan can play but when you have no o line or running backs how can you be good. look at what he did last year with David. ill never call for leal over Thomas but I understand how his inconsistencies could make people call for it
Fair points, but I disagree.
Yeah, he has limited help this year, that's a given. But great QB's make those around them better.
In his career he's had more lousy-to-average games than above-average to great games. Is that 8-game or so streak last season the real LT, or is it the early 2011 and 2012 version?
This is bad
This is very bad
Very very very bad
It's been said before
We've seen a lot of brutal offense over the years.
This is the worst.
Logans mechanics are horrible, whos the qb coach?
A month to study this defense and the o cant block anyone... vt is gonna get run out the stadium
holy hell can need on be
holy hell can newsom be fired midgame?
My boss might fire me for leaving early to watch this cluster fuk
Id rather be at work than seeing this garbage
He should give you extra time off
for bereavement leave.
The amazing thing is that LT is not the worse passer in the game....
End of the 1Q - VT d has given up 3 points on short fields, VT O has scored -7
damn i sure look like a dumbass making a gameday thread b4 looking here, i was wondering why nobody was commenting.
Its cool, there is only a few of us in here witnessing the travesty
Our fearless leader
reports that Sherman is leaving (!!)
Maybe he can take the rest of the offensive staff (except Shane) with him?
Thank you baby jesus
They had an opening for lead waterboy
atleast Tweedy is having a monster game
I'm gonna give up like Davis and just start drinking straight from the wild turkey bottle
The O-Line is inexplicably bad
the usual shitty bowl performance mixed with one of the worst teams in 20 seasons makes this so sickening to watch
Pathetic
Well at least we're doing our annual bowl-season bed-shitting on a smaller stage than usual.
hahaha so true I just hope most of America is out instead of watching this so we don't have to hear abt it tomorrow
i bet holland fisher catches that
Bonner drops a ball thrown to him
6:48 left in the 2nd qtr and we have 30 total yards of offense
unnecessary roughness on the punter LMFAO!
BEAMERBALL!!
2 personal fouls on special teams
Beamerball
New Hash Tag
#NewBeamerBall
A 15 yard personal foul
on the PUNTER.
This team is not prepared for this bowl. If rutgers had a decent qb it would be over by now
Pathetic
These Hokies, not just the coaches are pathetic, straight up. There is no excuse for the lack of effort by the entire offense tonight. Defense is doing the best they can after being on the field the whole damn half. Unless the defense scores two tds, count it up as a loss. Fire everybody on the offensive side of the ball as soon as the clock hits 0.
looks like no one on the offense cares, the d is playing so hard. I hate it for them when the offense looks like they just don't care
A rare good pass defense by Bonner
going on 4th again? it feels like im playing NCAA Football 13 online
LOL
The commentators counted a longer hang-time for the penalty flag than the actual punt. sad but hilarious
On a positive note
The Rutgers QB's name reminded me of this. Easily the best 5:25 of my evening so far.
Start and ends with head coach, same old crap from Beamer year after year especially in bowl games. Unprepared bunch of over rated coaches and it bleeds down to the players. Time to seriously think about replacing Logan Thomas and Frank Beamer
I wish he would wipe that
I wish beamer would wipe that shit-eating grin off his face
Logan is not the problem im so tired of Thomas taking so much blame for shitty coaching, I was at the miami game last year iv seen in person what Logan can do with talent around him! Time to fire Ocain, demote Stinespring and hire The Fridge!
down by 10....wide receiver screen!! why not
Beamerball strikes again
At least they went after it!!
i have never been more disgusted by Virginia Tech football in my life. Maybe its time for Foster to fire Beamer lol.
It wouldnt be a VT bowl game without a roughing the kicker penalty!
At least the defense is lively and talking smack
maybe the extra activities at the end of the half will light a fire under this team.
SEVENTY THREE TOTAL YARDS in the first half
Think about that for a second
Was anyone expecting anything different? This team is who we thought they were
Is this stat right
17 rushes for -10 yards? We can't be playing that bad...
Factoring in the yardage for LT sacks its pretty close
It's all too true
It's *possible* that the offense looks bad because the coaches spent December looking for jobs, right?
James Gayle
Is he even playing tonight? Keep seeing him on the field. But he's walking around and not really playing. The OL and QB play is the worst thing I've ever seen. Comical how poorly coached these guys are. Comically bad.
Lou Holtz is undressing our offense
"You've had over a month to prepare and you can't do anything". At least were making their D look for real. They look a lot better when we can take a snap, throw a wide open pass or block ANYONE.
Ugh
Why is Lou Holtz still on tv??? The guy's dentures are killing me when he talks. I know it's mean, but I cringe every time.
One of the world's biggest mysteries
The man has a face for radio and a speech impediment, but yet still has a job.
what am I watching...
A month of practice to rack up a whopping seventy three total yards. If that doesn't create some coaching turnover I don't know what can.
i read somewhere that they used alot of the practices to get younger guys experience i wonder if thats having an effect as well
Look at the bright side...
Maybe the offense sucks so much because the whole staff was too busy getting resumes ready and going on practice interviews for the new job searches...
Give tweedy the mvp already
Another dropped int.....*sigh*
Can't we get a break tonight?? That would've turned this carnival side show around a bit.
How many special QBs change?
where were you when we were getting picks?
3 and out, unreal no one can make a play and why a 4 yard slant is called on 3rd and 7 I have no clue, really hope this is just a sign the offensive staff doesn't care and is gone after this game
Quick summary
The O-line is just garbage, seriously how are they that bad??? And even when LT3 has time his accuracy is so off.
how much more play action passes can be run with no running game
I bet we will try one each series
unconventional thinking
This is the uncoventional thinking that we pay our offensive brain trust for....Side note LT3 looks like he is checked out
I can not wait for this game to be over and stinespring and ocain and newsome to be gone
Tweedy was limping off the field after that punt
Rumor (from reliable source)
Heard Sherman is staying. LT is going pro (as a TE). BS recruiting coordinator. Newsome retiring (health/heart). Ocain retiring. Waiting until after bowl to announce as their contracts give them bonuses if they coach the game.
Bonus's
Arent they usually given for preformance? I wouldn't pay the Offense for this game. I would give their bonus's to the D staff. I hope LT doesnt leave next year will suck with out him.
I don't write the contracts :)
But I agree with you. Should be performance based (admin will argue that making a bowl is performance).
Wtf fuck these refs fuck this season... if i was bud with the putrid offense and defense getting shit on with these phantom calls id have been ejected because i would have went ape shit
I'm with you. I was picturing myself as a coach just going off. The refs SUCK
guh and Kyle has a great play and gets a flag, cannot get a break
4 plays...3 of the worst officiating calls
BT51 was not offsides. Was grounding (as he was in the tackle box and ball didn't cross scrimmage). CF17 was interfered WITH (no call would have been ok).
This season plus the sugar bowl has seen some of the most indefensible, game changing calls go against vt
BS
This game is making me angry now. That is NOT pass interference. This is just getting worse...
Rutgers Mascot
Looks like the MSU mascot is moonlighting as there mascot
79 mf'n yards through the 3rd quarter
Sad thing is D has played so well if we double our yards in the 4th quarter we could win!
15 more minutes
it'd be 3-0 if we hadn't fucked up a snap in the 1st 30 seconds
79 yards of O. 85 penalty yards.
Fail!
4th
So our Defense is playing a great game tonight. They've been on the field more than they should have and only given up 3 stinking pts.
"Can you imaging if our offense didn't suck"
-2012 season motto
Wow see what happens when the oline blocks
why
is bowl officiating so fucking bad? And seemingly always in the wring direction.
Should be 3 to 0.
Who in their right mind would be watching this game unless they were a fan of VT or Rutgers???? Painful...
3 runs in the redzone for 5 yards, typical moc/bs
so we throw then throw to get yards and run 3 for 3 yards
Redzone
The natural enemy if Ocainsrping. Causes runs.
a pick 6 from Exum, Jarret, or Fuller on the next drive would be so fucking epic, but ill wish in one hand and shit in the other and see which gets filled first...
I'd love to see red zone stats for tech over the past like 5 years because that area seems to be a nightmare for our play callers
Get bonner off the field
I never understand why DB's can't catch
Fuller's catch was sick. Then we go back to conservative play calling. Why hand off to Scales to go outside the tackles??? Stupid calls!
Exum saves the day
I CALLED THAT SHIT MINUS THE TD!
HELLS YEAH!!!
On Exum's pick,
My 7 yr-old son says, "That could save the game!"
Corey fuller
LT3 TO COREY FULLER BABY!
What???!
How does he throw those passes back to back like that?? This guy kills me every game!
Its due to the lack of trust he has in his targets, and fuller is his favorite so i put 2 and 2 together for that one
KJ is pumped up i like it
Really proud of our D right now.
Andrew Miller is sorely missed
old school, gotta rely on our d for points to win this one
Did we recruit a center by any chance??? We should go all out on offensive line recruiting...
TYRELL WILSON BITCHES!
YEAH!!!!!!!
Dont worry bs is going ultra conservative and they will kick a fg
Please at least get 3 out of this...
99 upside down is 66
But Gayle doesn't have dreads, announcers...
and the pass Nova threw earlier wasn't grounding... bullshit
But Nova doesn't get one earlier???!
These refs are either incompetent or paid off
Why are the announcers agreeing with that call??? He just spiked that thing!!
They cant be too critical of anything so they just agree with whatever they are told
Who would pay off officials for the Russell Atheltic?
$3 tickets
this is worse than the sugar bowl
See earlier post ^^^
It's either grounding or its not
If Nova's first one wasn't. Neither is Logan's. If Logan's is. Then Nova's last one is.
Ocain wants to lose
Go for it!!!
Nope gonna miss
Hokie-D needs to come up big
Beamer should be ashamed of himself for the coaching he's done in this game. Foster is the only person who has availed himself as remotely competent so far.
WTF
Dyrell Robers career underachiever!
Lol dyrell is lost and now a pick
ok ok I can't defend Logan anymore
Hes got happy feet now
its not Logans fault Roberts gave up on the play
i hate to rag on our own players but yeah Dyrell is so useless
Coleman > Scales
wtf are the icing the punter?
IT WAS A CATCH!!
Overtime again
Its up to Buds unit
No comment...
i love college OT over pros
No pass interference??
They can tackle receivers?
I know it's because "it wasn't catchable" but give him a chance!
i got a bad feeling about this one guys
C'mon D!!
yay!
Did rutgers lose this or vt win it?
Can they both lose it??
aaaand Stinespring just saved his job.
No way
But he looked so inept tonight. Looked like he was licking the bus window on the way down to Orlando.
No way in hell
I'm skeptical. We've heard the same rumors year in and year out. Beamer will not demote or fire him.
wooooooo!
I JUST...
BOUGHT THE BAR A ROUND OF SHOTS!!!! WHERE MY ATLANTA HOKIES AT?!?¨
all the sarcasm aside i do have to say i never thought it would feel so good to be 7-6
HAHAHAH!! FUCK THE WORLD!
russel athletic bowl champs!
i'm pumped we won but seriously the entire offensive staff should be canned.
Question:
I guess its kind of a moot point since we got the win anyways, but can someone explain to me why that flag got picked up on Rutgers' recovered fumble TD? Watching it in real time, it looked like they came across early (possibly why the snap was bad). Obviously one of the refs agreed with me because a flag was thrown. I never saw a replay or heard an explanation for why that flagged was picked up. Felt like it kinda got swept under the rug.
Hooray for STUPID LUCK (and Bud Foster's defense)! That's all I can say for tonight's win.