Aaron McFarling wrote a fire Bryan Stinespring column without typing that f-word once. McFarling argues Stinespring should be replaced as offensive coordinator, but retained on the staff because of how well he recruits, essentially the dream scenario for most Tech fans. I don't recall any member of the local media that covers Tech writing that Stinespring needs to be replaced. So it's kind of a big deal, at least among those who let Tech football consume way too much of their life, which is all of us here.

It's a gutsy column to write. I don't know how many media sessions McFarling attends, but it's more than the zero you or I do. It's part of his job to look these coaches in the eye. He stuck his neck out, and did it in an extremely professional and respectful manner. That is commendable.

However, I don't agree with everything he said, even though I think the program needs to move in a new direction. Play calling has been a problem. Hell, I wrote way too many words about one play, but that's not really a valid criticism of Stinespring anymore. Also, consistency is good, but being loyal to a fault is bad. Both happened over Tech's remarkable 10 wins a year streak.

Either way, there really is no escaping this.

They're back. After too long of a break, Brian and Kevin talk about the UVA game, Mike London's coaching ability, and potential moves for Tech's coaching staff. They then dive headfirst into basketball talk as they chronicle the epic rise of Erick Green, the Hokies' hot start and whether or not to temper expectations.

All that and more on this week's episode of The Adventures on Whiskey Lane.

MP3 Download link: http://thekeyplay.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-12-11T11_40_03-08_00.mp3

Joey Phillips has been consistently good at fullback this season. He's delivered some bone-crushing blocks, and has shouldered the load since Riley Beiro was lost for the season. Through the magic of Twitter, we learned another thing about Phillips tonight. He has the best haircut of any player on the team. Tailback J.C. Coleman tweeted the following picture.

And if that wasn't enough, Phillips tweeted this picture of and himself starting masher (guard) Brent Benedict.

Yes, that is an American Flag tee shirt, and it is awesome. If Benedict and Phillips don't make it in the NFL, the better make a run at the WWE tag team championship.

Like much of HokieNation, I'm bummed we're not ranked. I think the team deserves to be. The 7-0 record, Tech's best start since best 1982-83, speaks for itself. The win over now #23 Oklahoma State, Tech's first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 1995, will be a bullet point on the Hokies' resume come March. Naysayers will point out weak competition to start the season, and they would be correct. However, teams can only play their schedule, and Tech beat Iowa and Oklahoma State, their two biggest challenges to date, by double-digits.

The Hokies play an up-tempo, fun brand of team basketball, and their leader is receiving a lot of attention from the national media after his 7th game of putting up 20-plus points.

Rob Dauster of CollegeBasketballTalks named Erick Green his Player of the Week.

Update (8:30 PM): It's official.

Update (7:45 PM): It's all but official.

Excited about the Russell Athletic Bowl!Go Hokies!

— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) December 2, 2012

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@rfootball) will play in the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl: ow.ly/fKPZS

— RussellAthleticBowl (@RussellAthBowl) December 2, 2012

Also, an interesting tidbit: Rutgers is on a five-game bowl win streak.