Edit: Bumped to the front, because the last two paragraphs were calming after the Orange Bowl loss.
Couldn't sleep last night and looking at the title coverage it came to me why I should pick Oregon to win in my bowl pick'em and why Hokie nation should be rooting on Oregon.
I feel like Oregon and VT are kindred spirits minus Phil Knight and the bonkers offensive production. Oregon like us is a non-traditional power that has started a buzz in the past few years. Both have smaller capacity stadiums than most traditional powers but yet come with a very fervent fan base as evidenced by reputations of great home field advantage. The average Rivals recruiting rankings for the 2 programs are eerily similar for the past 5 final rankings (VT = 25, Oregon = 24.8). Oregon had only 3 wins against the Top 5 in the Beamer Era before this year. Coming into this season we had identical all time bowl records of 9-14. We both even have bird mascots that our opponents like to poke fun at.
Here's one positive thought to leave you with. Last year Oregon started off the season with a high profile loss to Boise State, barely beat an unranked Purdue team at home the next game, won the conference title, and choked in the big BCS game for a down conference. This year having to replace both an all-conference QB and a highly touted RB that didn't play most of last season they have navigated an easier schedule to get to the national title.
There are probably changes needed to be made in our program to get to the national title but just a thought to think about while watching the game.
P.S. Also Auburn cheats
Quack... Quack, Quack! Quack! Quack!
Comments
I think we jinxed them.
Maybe or just that the SEC teams get it
Feels like when everything else is equal regarding the skill position athletes that those guys in the trenches can carry the day at the end. Oregon even had a chance to win with lot of missed opportunities with the case in point of 4 runs from the 3 yard line not being able to score. Oregon lost but they did have a chance. Being optimistic, not that I'm saying I think it will happen, but we could possibly follow Oregon's step of getting to a national title especially with our depth returning and weak schedule but if we don't have developed tough nose players in the trenches then it could just be a great trip to New Orleans.
Could be that development of guys like Nick Acree, Zack McCray, Vinston Painter, Becton, and the Hopkins bros is just as important or more than Logan Thomas and David Wilson when it comes to the big game. Even with gifted RBs its hard to get a consistent run game when your interior offensive linemen are getting pushed back as evidenced by Oregon and us.
Also takes luck
One extra point is that even with the difference in the trenches the big play was Dyer's unbelievable run making a big difference.
Devil's Advocate: Oregon was kept in the game be some brilliant offensive play calling. A lot of luck went for Oregon was on Cam Newton barely missing some long throws that would've been TDs or 3rd down conversions. If Andrew Luck wasn't as accurate on some long 3rd down throws our game could've looked closer like the nati did but Stanford.
Oh it definitely takes a ton of luck. Think of all the breaks on just a single play each team got over the course of the season. A couple that come to mind are Clemson missing the kick against Auburn, and Cal doing the same thing three times against Oregon. You also have to be lucky to avoid injuries. I think the injuries really hurt us. Nick Becton, Ryan Williams, Kwame Battle, Barquell Rivers, etc were all starters that we lost. I think our weak schedule and being off the national radar early really helps our chances but it will ultimately dependent on if we can find a whip, a running back who can grind out yards and Logan Thomas.
Years we start off rated lower VT does better
I really like the low national radar, feels like less pressure on the team and more to hunger to prove something. We should be rated in the mid to high teens I feel like.
I have a feeling Logan Thomas will be fine from just being in the system for awhile, having a great arm and being poised (I have a lil funny story about his college recruitment when I went to the FSU game back in 2007). The running back that can grind out yards is J.O, I think people forget how good he is and shown to be in previous games like the Duke game in 2009. For whip I would love VT to go bigger and have Patterson or Edwards try it out in the spring. I think if you want to actually be able to compete against the big boys we need the linemen to step up in a big way, I can't remember last time VT had a big dominating DT.
I know LT is uber talented, but based on how long it's taken the staff to develop other quarterbacks I'm not expecting much in year one. I really hope Nick Acree takes a big step this spring and summer and gets his fundamentals down. With his size he can be a difference maker on the defensive line. Also, Painter, if he's not going to play on offense can we just move him to d-line and be done with it. How long are we going to let him idle for?