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We are all thinking it and have been for a while. It is time for some coaching changes at Virginia Tech. We get on here each week, even after winning, and it always comes up that someone has to go.
This week though I tried to look at it from a different angle. We all know that Frank Beamer is loyal to a fault with his coaches. That might keep his staff happy but it is not translating into anything on the field.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
After Saturday’s loss, I resigned myself to going outside to do some yard work and take my pent-up frustrations out on the leaves in my yard. As I mulled over the pasty, foul taste in my mouth, I came to a conclusion. Virginia Tech football has angered the football gods. I reflected back on the season thus far, thinking about how we just can’t seem to catch a break. Biero’s non-holding “holding” penalty against Cincinnati. The referee’s sudden change to flag football rules, and the lack of the replay official to see what was so clear on all of our TV screens against Clemson. Then I found myself thinking back beyond this miserable season. Weather forces cancellation of the spring game.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Anyone have the time to check how many total yards have been gained from the 4-wide bubble screen play? We saw it a few times again this week, and yet again it doesn't work. Just wondering if someone can check the tape and see if this play has ever gained yards. Thanks.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Quick/ emotional reaction:
My reasons for this loss:
1a. The Refs
Two bad calls and bad play reviews got Clemson and their fans back in the game. Video was indisputable in my opinion. My father who has watched alot of ACC football once told me that, "The refs used to make you score 3 times on Clemson before they would give you the td just make sure." (this is sarcasm in case you literally think the refs did this)
1b. Offensive Play Calling
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I just read a quick fact that is indicative of an offense struggling to find consistency.
The Hokies have 27 three-and-outs this season, the most in the ACC and tied for 8th-most in FBS. That is alarming to me. I think we all recognize the negative repercussions this has on field position. But it also puts our defense back on the field without much of a rest. Perhaps another reason why our defense has been struggling?
Let's hope we see much less of this in the rest of the season!
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
It's as brutal as you might expect.
Andy has the whole story here.
Excerpt below. Bolding added for emphasis.
(McShay) saved his most damning statements for the Hokies’ offensive scheme, however, which he said was “out-dated by 10 or 15 years” and could affect Thomas’ preparedness for the next level.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
We have no business beating Clemson. Absolutely none. If last year’s combined score of 61 to 10 in two games is any indication, this game should run as swiftly as an Autumn wind through Death Valley on Saturday. Already Clemson is on track to break twelve offensive records dating as far back as 1900. In twelve separate categories they show they are arguably better than any offense they’ve fielded previously and rank in the top 15 nationally in another three categories this year.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Hey y'all. How bout that game last week? 41 POINTS. That was pretty fancy. Then again, it was Duke (LUV YOU BLUE DEVILZ and #goacc). This week's challenge: Clemson. The Tigers are currently sitting at 5-1, with expectations of domination; there's a lot of excitement brewing for this one. 8-Ball even said that ESPN Gameday will be there!
There was a lot of offseason re-shuffling for a Clemson team that made it's first BCS game. Dabo was able to lure Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables away from the Sooners because HOLY CRAP DID YOU SEE THE ORANGE BOWL I THINK THE COUSINS JUST SCORED ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN.
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I had an interesting last Saturday.
Another Saturday, another loss for the Hokies. The game in Chapel Hill was atrocious from start to finish, the special teams allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown for the first time since 1994 and UNC running back Giovani Bernard ran for an astonishing 262 yards.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
I usually reserve this for when the Hoos lose to Duke. That happened two weeks ago (42-17!!!), but we lost to North Carolina. It wouldn't have been appropriate. However, since we destroyed Duke I will revel in their homecoming loss to Maryland.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Super clip/insight on Colemans breakout day, 'Dozer. We haven't had a running back like Coleman, ever. Would be nice to see him featured in a 'pass/run' game, as Techs offensive line doesen't really lend itself to the 'smash-ass' running game of years gone by. Nothing wrong with the pass setting up the run, for a change.
Thomas had his best game, leadership wise, as did Gayle. The coaches did a fine job. O'Cain/Springstiens calls were pretty much right on. Taylor played a fine game, except for the semi-late hit on Dukes QB...that hit goes against Tech at Clemson.....
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Dookies are coming to town this weekend! I expect everyone to scream "TEABAG PAULUS" every opportunity they have. #HokiesRespect
The Blue Devils come into Blacksburg fesh off a 42-17 drubbing of the #NewHoos. Mike London, for all his 757 recruiting efforts, has a losing record to Duke. RUT ROH.
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Various styles of facial hair have been used throughout history to identify a man's sense of ruggedness or allure. From the gangly beard to the artsy goatee these styles help paint a picture of the type of man one sees. None however, are as downright intimidating as the 'stache. Reserved mainly for the blue collar, not afraid to get his hands dirty, kind of guy. He rocks the face broom with pride knowing that at the end of the day, whatever task lay before him will be done with the utmost effort and due dilligence.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
We were a recruiting powerhouse. Why are we losing quality recruits to out of state schools? A strong pipeline insures a more predictable future.
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DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
You can read the whole entry here, but the key details:
Phil says UNC by 10.
Phil's magical computer says UNC 34, VT 17 with Carolina outgaining VT by nearly 200 yards.
I love me some Phil Steele, but I think he's off on this one. Tech wins a grinder 17-14.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
I know that the ACC has come out and said that they are not really interested in adding a 16th team to the conference but it got me thinking about what the conference could look like and here are some of the options I came up with. (for sake of assuming, Notre Dame would commit to a full schedule and the schedule remains at eight ACC games)
You would have a North and South Division instead of the Coastal v Atlantic. Clear up the nonsense there at least.
Each Division would be composed of eight teams and divided into four team sections:
The two North Sections would be:
Syracuse, Boston College, PennState(I know controversial but for lack of better teams), Notre Dame
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
So. About last week. That Cinicinnati outcome was...disappointing. Fortunately for us fans, a new week and a new opponents awaits. Nothing eases the sting of losing quite like the possibility of victory. Back to conference opponents! Back to work! #goacc
This week, the Hokies hit the road and head south to Chapel Hill to face the Tar Heels. Like Tech fans, the Carolina Faithful have had to deal with adversity, albeit those distractions being off-the-field. Recently the announcement that Chancellor Holden Thorp will resign this coming June, in repsonse to allegations of academic dishonesty involving a number of student athletes and the African Studies academic program.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
What's the chance that the "new gear" includes maroon pants? It's been too long.
DISCLAIMER: Blog posts may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
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