Right now I'm holding ticket number 74 and the deli is NOW SERVING 55. Be right back, I'm going to grab a Diet Coke, do a few laps around the store, gawk at the people cashing in their beer cans for nickels, and play some scratch-off tickets. 100 days is almost a manageable wait. When the weather cools in October, I always regret hurrying along summer. I enjoy the hell out of golf, sipping cocktails on a rooftop, and BBQs, but they're a small sacrifice to the god of the fall.
In my head, I keep thinking about what Tech needs to do to win, and right now my conclusions are based off the game in 2009. That contest will have very little to do with the outcome on 8/31, but it's fun to play what if. I walked out of The Dome that night thinking the Hokies were in arms reach of Alabama. A couple of fourth quarter stops by the defense, and a few more first downs by the offense and the Maroon and Orange might have preempted The Tide's dynasty.
None of us have forgotten Ryan Williams' 32-yard touchdown run, or his strength to punch it in from the one-yard-line.
Ru had the only offensive performance to remember (and he only carried the ball 13 times). Reading the o-line's grades was a sad trip down memory lane. No one graded out higher than 84%, which doesn't seem believable given the Newsome Curve. Five sacks, consistent pressure, and a young supporting cast didn't make Tyrod's job any easier, but Taylor still hadn't developed into the efficient passer we would watch in 2010.
Can Trey Edmunds have a better game than Williams? Will the coaches stick with the run? Will the offensive line be able to master the zone scheme, matchup with Bama's 3-4, and protect Logan Thomas? Will LT3 be able to convert first downs with his arm, especially when it matters in the fourth quarter?
Watching Alabama grind Foster's defense to a nub was depressing. Very few first downs by Tech's offense (11, half of 'Bama), led to a 22:58–37:02 time of possession defeat, backups playing more than they were ready to, and 498 Crimson Tide yards. The defense needed to rattle Greg McElroy and didn't. McElroy eluded pressure well (sacked just twice), and made timely throws.
After spring ball, I feel really good about the defense. Whip is probably the thinnest position, but given the talent in the secondary, Kyle Fuller probably takes over there in the event of an injury. Last season we saw Foster load the box and attack more. Again this year he'll have the talent, especially upfront, to create havoc and force mistakes.
We have 100 days of summer ahead of us, whereas both teams have just over 3 months of work. Is Alabama hungry for a three-peat, will the Hokies dedicate themselves in weight training and conditioning like never before? I can't wait to find out.
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Comments
I can't say I know how that game will end, but I really hope Bama is hurting by the time they enter the locker room afterwards. We want them to know we wouldn't roll over for them.
i got excited just reading this. we are gonna raise holy hell in that dome.
Ugh. I can't claim to be any more than hopeful for this one. Stewart Mandel ranked the top 5 non-conference games of the season in a recent mailbag, the only relevant quote to us would be this gem:
"Alabama fans will surely howl for leaving the Virginia Tech game off this list, but it's only because I don't expect it to be much of a game. (Offshore books already have the Tide as 22-point favorites.)"
Thanks, Stewart. But I can't say his opinion is all that uncommon. I just hope it is more like the last VT/'Bama game than the most recent VT/LSU game. At least 'Bama fans are pretty classy. I guess confidence comes when you have a collection of crystal footballs.
The way you phrased "100 days of summer" was pretty great. It is absolutely true. We have 100 days of summer (awesome) capped off with watching our favorite team play the two-time defending national champions in a BCS bowl atmosphere. These next 100 days are going to rock. I love life. #BEATBAMA
It is interesting to note that Alabama's next game is against Texas A&M at College Station. Are they looking ahead? If so, that 22 point spread is nothing but help.
Yea. The SEC fans, CBS network, and the NCAA football pundits will be talking about that matchup all summer. Bodes well for the overlooked and harmless Hokies. #ManzielHype
I hope they're looking towards defending Manziel. He might be more mobile than LT3, but he doesn't leave defenders scattered in his wake according to Rece Davis.
100 days of "football purgatory". It is not a good time to read about Hokie players in the news, if you get my drift. Maybe Classics will roll out some VT wins to make the time pass more swiftly
http://www.youtube.com/user/hokietapes
Outstanding link.
Much obliged.
Fuel for the Fire? Every Hokie's favorite Sports Journalist decided to call out VT on the "Conference Call" video: http://espn.go.com/college-football/
note: HD doesn't do her thing till the 5:15 mark
How does she still have a job?
She could have picked anything else to talk about around the ACC and chose the Hokies inadequacies on offense. I feel like there were more prominent headlines in the conference.
I skipped to 5:00 in and had stopped the video by about the 5:20 mark.
Sorry about the typo, just skip to her talking and listen in. Typical HD in my opinion.
It wasn't all a waste. At least I learned by scrolling up that the week two game is at 1:30 instead of noon.
100 days of training, 100 days of watching YouTube videos of our Hokies making terrific plays of past seasons and realizing we have been so close...100 days of the The Dark Knight Rises.. I really wish Beamer and Co would take on this persona and take it to the next level. College football has needed an enemy and I believe it has been us for quite some time. Just on the cusp but not ever enough. SECPN doesn't want to see any body else except a SEC team win it all. I say fuck that. If we beat Bama they will be forced to realize we are the next great thing in college football and we are here to stay. This win will get all kinds of monkeys off our back. Full steam ahead and the on to face Ohio state in the national title game. The Dark Knight will rise Aug 31.