Bitter blog - Mailbag, Part II: Playing the national champs, scheduling redux and Battle at Bristol advice

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And nothing says America like drinking beer in a NASCAR track where two football teams are playing and watching it on a Jumbotron.

AB just gets it.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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THIS.

Nice mailbag. I agree about the Tennessee game. It's one of those events you have to be a part of.

Why didn't "Bill from Burke" just come and say what he was hinting at, Shane and Frank reward loyalty to VT over ability to play and that all kinds of more talented kids just sit on the sidelines.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

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Paterno did this, too. He was seen as a curmudgeon for doing so, because, at times, it would be at the expense of a player who really really should have been starting.

Frank seems more like the type to reward years of hard work, or maybe he just prefers the experience of an older guy on the field. Maybe the older guy is less likely to make a spectacular play, but also may be less likely to mess up an assignment.

Or maybe Frank is a curmudgeon, too?

As Andy put it, much nicer than I would have, no. Beamer and Co. Don't do that, if a kid can go out there and help win games then he is out there.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

I think it is partially dependent on the position in question. On the defense younger players seem to get on the field more quickly at the CB and DL positions whereas the Safety's and LBs (especially the Mike) tend to be older players that have been in the program for at least a year or two. The same is true on the offense where the QBs and OL are usually older players while WRs and RBs have an easier shot at getting on the field earlier.

I think there are two related reasons for this, the positions that don't usually get on the field as quickly tend to require more communication and directing others and they also tend to rotate in and out of the game the least. That's not to say that a younger player can't get on the field in one of those positions, McGlock and Teller stand out over the last two years and Gallo and Reavis are relatively young this year.

Awesome promotion video link for the VT-Tennessee game in that column.

"...and a border battle that dates back to 1896."

"It will be the biggest college football game, ever. That wait is finally over"

That's bound to sell some tickets.

This Dustin character seems like the world's wettest blanket to me.

EDIT: Comment was meant to be a joke. I'm sure this Dustin character is a great guy. I had a laugh at one comment he made in a public forum. No disrespect intended.

I know, right?

If your Tennessee alumn wife greenlights "The Battle of Bristol", the correct move is to purchase the non-refundable tickets by the most expedient means possible. You can bypass the soul-searching with your psychiatrist, priest, or local newspaper columnist. With some things, like event tickets, it's best not to think about it too much.

But at least Andy Bitter gave the correct and enthusiastic response.

Despite the Tennessee alumnity, seems like his wife is a keeper, and were I him, I'd be wanting to keep'er happy, especially in this case.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

This Dustin character seems like he likes to go to sporting events to SEE the event.

I'm also 99% sure Dustin is a TKPer, so I'll let you two sort that one out.

Oh, I get all that, but it changes nothing about my comment.

Actually watching the game can be accomplished later via replay. This is about a game experience, and the cosmic forces have aligned to enable him to participate. Sometimes you have to take yes for an answer, instead of trying to change the question around.

I am also 99% certain that 'Dustin' is a TKPer because I had this very debate with him some time ago (can't find it at this time). He has his reasons and that's fine. Leave it at that. I have no issue with him wanting to watch from home.

EDIT: I was able to locate the debate I had. I don't know for sure that it was with 'Dustin'. Without doing more research I can't be certain.

Onward and upward

I don't have a problem with that, either. But if he asks the court of public opinion for an assessment, he invites public opinion. His wife wants to go, and he's being a wet blanket. We don't need to be providing that type of sanctuary here, in this hallowed ground of "The Key Play". Andy Bitter recognized that, and gave him sage advice.

He said he and his wife like live games. This has all the trappings of one of the coolest ever. If he wants to analyze the plays, he can do that at his leisure, but if he ends up going, I'm really thinking he won't regret it.

This might be the largest college football game ever. He might get the coolest stories ever related out of it. One thing is for sure. He won't get the same stories from watching it at home in separate rooms. OK, I know he was joking, but seriously...

How often do VT and Tennessee play? As his Hokie brothers, he deserves better support from us than a pass on this.

But if he asks the court of public opinion for an assessment, he invites public opinion

sure, fair enough. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Maybe I was reading too much into the replies but it felt like his opinion was being met with more fierce opposition than was warranted. But, it is the off-season so there's that.

This might be the largest college football game ever

which is exactly why I'm going!!!

How often do VT and Tennessee play?

not that often, as it turns out.
http://www.winsipedia.com/virginia-tech/vs/tennessee

Onward and upward

That's exactly what I was thinking. Based on the way he worded his question, he strikes me as the kind of guy who would find everything Andy listed as a reason to go to the game as annoying. Some people were just meant to watch football on TV.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

That's me when I have my wife and three girls under 5 right now. Unless it's a bowl game somewhere warm and fun

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with preferring the game on TV. You also have extenuating circumstances that factor into your preference.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Well as a close friend to Dustin and his former roommate my last 2 years at tech I will now take a moment to defend his honor/fandom.

1. Dustin is aware of this thread.

2. While he follows Bitter and TKP I don't believe he usually comments (as is the same with me [except right now...])

3. From the cold wet misery of 2007 BC all the way to the jubilance of the 2009 Nebraska ending, I have suffered and celebrated alongside Dustin in Lane. He's a true football fan and a true tech fan. In as much I'm guessing he's much more concerned with actually watching Beamer and company play football rather than experiencing such a unique venue at the expense of his ability to watch said game.

Using /s is for cowards.

It's clear that your roommate is a fan. Nobody is questioning that. I think we're all fans of watching VT football here, and we do understand the quality of digital transmission into the sanctity of one's home.

But it would be really wrong of us not to point out a) the historical significance of attending the game, and b) the tremendous opportunity to enjoy such a game along side one's Tennessee alum wife.

It's not a requirement by any means, but it is an opportunity. For many, the tough part would be to get the wife to go along, and she's on board AND a fan of the other team. This game is mostly significant not because there is a lot riding on it, but because of the event itself.

Which brings up a good point: when abbreviating alumnus, is the preferred form alum or alumn?

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

I think you're right that the preferred abbreviation would be alum. I corrected it above.

I've actually used both interchangeably. Not sure which is correct.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Pretty sure he was abbreviating alumna.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Oy. Leg for the proofreader's eye. I read it as "one Tennessee alum's wife." Though I'd assume you'd abbreviate alumnus and alumna identically.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Historical significance you say, as in the Woodstock of college football? Imagine all the millions of folks who will say they were there.

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. " Rocky B.

I don't know about Woodstock, but there will be a remarkable number of people from Virginia and Tennessee there.

I am planning a visit back to the states during the time of this game. My plan is to go camping there and tailgate for a few days. I think that will be the most fun part about the battle for bristol. If, at any point during the weekend, I decide that I want to be inside the stadium for the game, I will scalp a ticket. I doubt they will be very expensive. If not, I will watch the game from the camp ground outside the stadium. That is my advice for Dustin. You get the experience and can still watch the game on tv.

I am following the same game plan. I hope you have a great visit back to the US.

I'm with this guy. Give Dustin a break. He's a Hokie. He wants to actually see them play live, not just be live at a game. I can understand that. I may not agree but to each their own.

There will be, no doubt, a bunch of us that would love to be there, and maybe could swing it, but will not attend. Travel, money, and yes, family and spousal considerations are all in play here, and everyone's situation is unique to their own circumstance. Still and all, if my wife was pushing ME to go, I'd be there. It's how I got to the '99 Sugar Bowl, and I've never regretted it. DVR the game and watch it as soon as you get home, but go....if you can. It won't be Woodstock, I mean, what could be? But it will be Hokiestock, and a be there or be square kinda deal is shaping up. For the record, some folks are pretty skeptical that there will be a sell out, but I hope they're wrong.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

While reading this thread I thought that Hoffman might of been kidding; but he is not. Go Dustin and experience the event. It will be like going to a Zep or Greatfull Dead concert. The band was there and great but the zoo around the show was just as entertaining. When Tech wins and we will DVR the game to relive it.

Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

The buying of tickets to this event is bullshit! Looks like I will be with Dustin! Trying to sell more NASCAR tickets because they have a shrinking fan base and can't sell out the races.

Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

If you want to blindly reserve, you're sort of right, it's BS.

If you just want tickets to the game, and aren't on somebody's priority list (VT, Tennessee, or NASCAR) come back in a year. There will be tickets available. I wouldn't go buying a NASCAR package just to get tickets for this game, unless of course I wanted the NASCAR tickets.

I just love how Musky went from 'Yolo I'm going' to 'eff that' in about 20 minutes.

"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster