The Hokies will face the Golden Hurricane in the Independence Bowl on December, 26. Kickoff is at 5:45 PM.
It's official! @TulsaFootball will take on @VT_Football in the 2015 @CampingWorld Independence Bowl!! #40thIndyBowl— CampingWorldIndyBowl (@IndyBowl) December 6, 2015
Frank Beamer's finale will end where Virginia Tech's current 23-game bowl streak began, Shreveport, Louisiana. The Hokies defeated Indiana 45-20 in the Independence Bowl on December 31, 1993.
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Oh
Id rather be anywhere else.
El Paso?
At least El Paso had this?
I googled "Shreveport Culture" and got this:
Maybe Frank can wear one of these things
Tim Brando will be happy to correct you.
The whining from our fans right now is.... Cmon, stop acting so entitled.
Just be happy we are bowling
It's not about entitlement at least for me. The ACC screwed over Pitt for a bad NCST team and in the process screwed VT over.
I'm whining because I could go to a bowl in Charlotte but I can't go to one in Shreveport.
or Annapolis
Yep. Charlotte is an easy day trip and I have family whose living room I would have invaded had it been Annapolis. Just can't make it to Shreveport. I'm happy we made it to a bowl period, but I don't have to be happy about the fact that I can't make it in person.
How is that entitled? And why should we "just be happy we are bowling?" VT worked it's ass off to get to a bowl and they earned every bit of it. No need to have a "happy to be here" mentality.
Yeah but we shouldn't have a "pissed to be here" mentality which quite a few people have been displaying.
This is all purely reactionary and that is what everyone needs to understand. Emotions and reactions will be different come game time. But right now? Yeah, this is a disappointing result when we had higher aspirations. That is just human nature.
I think it's more of a "pissed to not be near here" mentality, more than anything. I'm glad the team made a bowl. I'm sad that it's not one I'll be attending.
We can be upset we got dissed by the ACC bowl assignment process, but we need to go an conquer in a big way...prove ourselves.
Let's not act like the ACC is screwing us over. We got dissed in 2000 when we got sent to the gator bowl because a BCS bowl wanted the ND fanbase; this is just a 6-6 team going to a 6-6 bowl.
It seems you are missing the big picture. This is Frank's LAST game, Belk wanted Tech and this situation to get a sellout. Yes, they are 6-6 teams, but it is the "perfect storm" for the sponsor to prosper, which is now lost.
But the point I think most folks are missing is that going to the Belk Bowl was punching above our weight class.
Take out Frank's last game, and we're just another 6-6 team. We're also the last of the ACC bowl eligible teams.
Even if the ACC had a strict list system of bowls, where the tier 1 bowls all picked in a row, instead of huddling up, we'd still be in the Independence Bowl, because no one else wanted Pitt, but Pitt had to be chosen before VT.
I agree, but except for the top tier bowls they (the bowls) are about the $$, especially for the sponsor. Belk wanted Tech for the ticket sales which were projected to have been very high.
Yes, we would probably have been over-matched. If no one wanted Pitt, so be it.
Agreed, I am one of those who believe .500 teams should not even get a bowl game, but they have so damn many now that 5-7 teams are getting one! One last Saturday to enjoy a Hokie game this season sounds good to me and who knows since it is another .500 team from a lesser conference we might have a shot!
We beat *one* team with a winning record. 4 out of the 5 power-5 teams we beat finished dead- or second-to-last in their division (BC, GT, UVA, Purdue).
In other words, I agree.
*edited for clarity
ACC has 3 divisions?
Yes.
They read your complaining so you can read their whining. Enjoy.
Too bad the SEC had two 5-7 teams. At least then the matchup would be desirable.
A lame bowl, a lame matchup. That's what a lame season gets you.
Not sure what we as VT fans have to complain about in terms of this result. Don't give up a 14 point lead to a bad ECU team. Learn how to offense against Pitt. Stop Duke one time. Then we don't get shipped to Louisianas butthole
Wasnt lame in 93 when it started the streak.
But yes, teams that lose in 4OT's or put up historically bad offensive performances dont get to enjoy premier bowls.
It was a lot harder to get to a bowl in 1993 than it is now
That's for sure.
I came up with a total of 17 bowl games in 1993, compared to 41 now?
All of this according to Wiki.... is that right, or am i missing something?
According to Wiki Bowl History
Well, on the bright side . . . um . . .
Well, the good news is . . . um . . .
Good news is we may see the offense score more points than they did against Purdue. I was planning on watching from my parents' couch anyways, so this is actually better for me.
Another bright side is... Practice. Going to a bowl means the Hokies get a whole month of extra, much needed practice while the Yellowjackets and the Cavs get to play Madden. on the couch.
Granted, any practice is better than none. It will help the defense for sure, but just how much will it help the offense to practice a system they won't be using come spring.
Always the fundamentals
There is not going to be a massive difference in what Loeffler did vs. what Fuente will do on offense. Fuente's offenses are just more consistent and better-executed, and he has said he will mold an offense to the skills of the players. This whole notion of a massive offensive overhaul is overblown. Yes, we'll have all new coaches, but the strategy won't be all that different.
Hopefully you are correct and we can give Tennessee a run for their
moneycredit.What's this consistency and execution you speak of? I'm not an Xs and Os guy and I wasn't sure how much the offense would gain from extra practice other than fundamentals.
My $200 potential flight just turned into a potential $600 flight...I'm actually rather upset with how all this went down.
Only cool thing is that it is where Beamer started it all. That is poetic.
*Fart noise*
For Sale:
Four belk bowl tickets
Those bowl predictions'll get after ya.
*clears throat*
NNNNGHHHH
I'll save everyone all of the nasty comments I have about playing Tulsa in the Indy bowl and about how much I hope we see a sea of empty seats in the Belk bowl (at least on the Pack side; the SEC team will probably show up)....
Looking on Ticketmaster, a huge swath of seats are unavailable. Does anyone know where those seats went to? Sponsors? The school? We've been used to the school's bowl tickets sucking something awful...are they getting good seats for this crappy bowl?
They're probably unavailable because they'll need to tarp off half the stands to make it look like there's a decent crowd.
I know a certain college football staff that at least has experience in creating the appearance of a decent crowd.
LOL
Hoo woUld'Ve done such A deceiving thing?
I regret I have but one leg to give to this comment dragone.
At least it's an easier opponent? I guess? Fuente beat them so maybe he can give pointers.
There were replies earlier in the other thread that suggested VT would have a choice between Military and Independence, but it looks like this tweet from Thomas Guerry debunks that.
And JC....
I just hope the team doesn't lay an egg.
A bad matchup sucks. Losing a bad matchup would suck more.
Man they didn't even make it to a bowl game and they fired their coach after having one off season. BTW for anyone that doesn't know, I live 45 mins from Greenville and I see students wearing shirts that say "Beat VA Tech", so I guess they are rivals to us? Is this a one sided relationship?
I hate them a lot.
So say we all.
I can't say that I've seen any Hokies wearing a "Beat ECU" T-Shirt.
And let's hope you never do!
Maybe we should start.
Don't forget the "Mission Accomplished" shirts for when we beat ECU.
Certainly. Good matchups really get players hyped. It's kind of like playing Pitt. It's a dangerous game because regardless of how good or bad Pitt is I just don't see our players getting psyched about playing them.
I love TG2.
(Torrian is TG / TG1)
Hope he's retained by Fuente
Well I can't say we earned a better bowl, but this is still a bit of a
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Oh well.lets take whatever we're given and dominate it. I feel sorry for Tulsa...
Tactics from the new coach of our rivals
LOL, that's one way to get the ball I guess
balls
Well there goes the father-son, post-Christmas bowl trip I was hoping for.
I think the whole "father-son" dream AT ALL may be in jeopardy for the poor guy in the gif above. WTF! It may be time to call Kalfus and Nachman on the hurtline.
The only reason I'm upset is because I can't afford a trip to Louisiana and could have easily made a day trip to Charlotte... But, if you play bad you don't get a good bowl. Maybe 2 or 3 years from now we can have a pizza party in Lane like Clemson had today.
Clemson had a pizza party in Lane? :-)
Yeah, October 1, 2011.
;_;
Yeah, I could've worded that a lot better... whoops!
Called it a month ago!!! Gets ready for some 12:00 middle of nowhere football
At least the game is at 5:45...
I was so excited to take my family to Charlotte as a little reward for their patience as I worked on content for this site this year. Yeah.
Some mighty good red fishing down thataway that time o' year. You could finally catch you a puppy drum. And the food's still plenty good down there, too.
Boy did you ever get the ol' grab and behind, sounds like you didn't even receive the courtesy of a reach-around OR being taken out to dinner.
Our chances are better now for a 1000 yard rusher and 1000 yard receiver!
Woah now, Leoffler is still calling the plays for this game so lets not get ahead of ourselves
Hopefully he doesn't take things out on us and call 100% jet sweeps to the short side of the field.
Hmmmm Christmas in Shreveport or with family?
On the bright side, Fuente put 66 points on them this year so should definitely be able to help with the scouting report (If he is allowed to do that)
I do believe he is not allowed to.
Fuente cannot do any on-field coaching as long as the current staff is in place. But I'm sure he is not barred from talking with existing coaches. He's already been chatting with players after practice (which he's allowed to do). He just can't actively coach them during practice time and film sessions, as I understand.
There should not be much surprise in HokieNation over this one. It took a late rally against a terrible UVA team to become bowl eligable. This is where the streak started, I am sure that story line was evident to the bowls. The only thing I thought would bump us up would be the amount of the fanbase that would travel for this game could entice a higher bowl to take a chance on this team.
That was probably the nail in the coffin for us. Just like our willingness to watch any VT football game on any time slot handcuffs us to more noon games. Sucks that such an amazing fan base and a not-so-well performing team has been keeping us stuck in a muck of mediocrity.
That being said, still taking the opportunity to see Frank's last bowl game as well as hit up some friends in New Orleans!! Christmas in Louisiana!!! Everyone's dream, right?
I think VT fans can complain all they want about the selection, sure we are a mediocre team but lets be honest LA vs NC is a far distance. I and a lot of other fans were ready to drive 3 - 5 hours to the game not 14 hours. Well another bowl game to watch on TV.
Yeah, this sucks donkey balls. Entitled or not, this situation is a fail in every possible way.
Game is in East Jesus Nowhere the day after Christmas against Tulsa. I'm setting the over/under for attendance at approximately 12.
FWIW only got 75% full in 93 when we went, stadium is now 10k seats bugger at 50k total.
If 20k people show up till be great, gonna be a lot of those "donate tickets to the military" or "free tickets to obnoxious local school kids and family"
Though hopefully they mimic 2011 and give anyone in the Corps some free tickets, some dedicated fans would do it.
I'm picking over, because me and my friend just picked up a sixth of your number :-D
My wife and I made another sixth. But it's only a 6 hr. trip. It's not Charlotte and it's not high profile but I'll be there and I'll be thinking maybe next year it'll be playoff baby! I don't always dream, but when I do, it's definitely about a Hokies national championship.
Balls.
I would have loved the chance for a day trip to Charlotte to see Franks Final Game, but now we will be in TV Land. That's life.
This is also a case of social media backfiring. @BelkBowl went out of its way to engage the VT fan base. Many people took that as genuine interest, and prospectively bought tickets. I think that its fair to say @BelkBowl knew that by such encouragement, they would get a bump in such sales. I won't speculate as to motive, because none of us know the facts. Maybe they did make a behind-the-scenes try for VT.
The ACC Rules governing this type of stuff are arcane, but there was a precedent for a coach's exit. Bobby Bowden got the Gator Bowl.
I agree that there's something prophetic about returning to where it started. I'm just disappointed I can't be a part of it.
I don't think the Belk Bowl did anything like that to use us. From what's been said there was a lot of mutual interest between us and the BB for us to be in this game. But, the ACC "tier" rules basically screwed us and handcuffed the BB. They knew we would sell out this game, but with how the other bowls shook out they couldn't take us over pitt. So, they went with NC State, and you really can't blame them from a business standpoint because NC state will certainly bring more people to Charlotte than pitt.
Yes, we got abused by our own conference. I believe Belk wanted us, and we would have provided a sellout. It would have been a just reward for Frank.
I thought it wad just the referees in the ACC that made bad calls against Tech... guess I was wrong.
Exactly how did the rules screw us? Did they change them between the start of the season and now? If we won more games, we'd be going to a better bowl. We knew the rules at the beginning of the season. Just like single bad calls at the end of games; don't put yourself in a position to be undermined by a bad call or decision.
Would the BB be allowed to pick us over NC State and Pitt? In other words, would it be against the rules or just look bad?
Against the rules. 6-6 team cannot be in Tier 1 pool if an 8-4 team is in a Tier 2 bowl.
I'm disappointed because I really had hopes for the Belk Bowl and Charlotte is a 2 hour drive away and getting this bowl effectively means I can't make Frank's last game. But I'll definitely be watching...btw, does anyone know anything about Tulsa? Will they get after ya?
Beat up on 3 win teams. We have a good chance to win as long as we don't overlook the matchup, which I don't think will happen based on it being Beamer's last game.
Death, taxes, and this quote from Frank about any team, any game, anywhere.
Well, and we know that it's true.
All things being equal I would have rather had the Belk bowl but Charlotte is 6 hrs vs 7 for Shreveport from Birmingham (I did have my fingers crossed for the Birmingham Bowl).
My son finally likes to watch football this year and walks around in his kids VT jersey most days and I am excited to take him. Any recommendations on the best place to buy tickets?
Help the school sell its allotment.
http://ev12.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=BOWL&...
I am sure the university still has tickets available, but based on location, I would look at stubhub for tickets. This game will be right down the road for Tulsa though
The VT website does not say where the tickets are.....you just pick $45 or $50. Don't want to end up with nosebleed
I guess I should have specified game location, with it being so far I would be willing to bet stubhub will have good seats for low prices, but it does help the university if you buy through them.
That's what I'm hoping. I got too many student tickets in row 5Z.
I picked the $50 option on schools site and it gave me sideline seats at the 20 yard line. Sec. 101 Row LL. Not bad but I decided to go with the stub hub option. Got better tics at midfield but paid a little more.
When you go 6-6 you can't really blame anyone for your bowl destination. That said, it's very disappointing for all of the fans who wanted to go to Frank's last game. Logistically it's going to be extremely difficult for most fans to be in Shreveport the day after Christmas. I try to get to every game possible (and have made it to 23 of 25 games the last 2 seasons) but there's 0 chance I can make it to the bowl and I'm very bummed about that...
Well, we might actually win a bowl game.
This bowl is a lot better than the one lolUVA is going to.
Thread winner
This is a lot better than the one UT is going to- oh wait, we can't say that anymore :(
Tulsa made a bowl by beating:
0-12 UCF
2-10 SMU
2-11 Louisiana-Monroe
3-9 Tulane
3-9 Florida Atlantic
7-5 New Mexico
The good news is that we have a great chance to send Frank out a winner. We'll be favored by 15-16 points, I think.
And I thought NC State had a weak schedule.
Crush em Frank.
NC State played us...
And we beat them
A big favorite, but probably a little less than 15-16. More like 12-14, IMO.
Interesting enough the are the smallest FBS school, 4k students, less even than Wake.
So first thought is kudos to them for even winning 6 games against anyone!
Second is they arent gonna be selling many of their tickets :/
Looks a lot like VT's results....lost to some good teams and never beat anyone decent
And we made a bowl game by beating...
2-10 Purdue
3-9 Boston College
3-9 Ga Tech
4-7 Furman
4-8 UVA
7-5 NC State
Translation: Bad = bad
Ok, but their shitty teams are shittier than our shitty teams.
Shit.
Who's up for Christmas in N'Awlins followed by scoring 21 points in 30 game seconds, again, in Shreveport?
Sorry in advance for this rant:
The ACC loves to screw over Virginia Tech...we should have left for the SEC when we had the chance (as rumored). I am tired of this conference consistently bending Tech over a barrel: Represent the ACC on Labor Day...Play a Friday Night Game...Play a noon game for Beamer's final game (ESPN influenced)...Bring a strong fanbase to middle-of-nowhere Louisiana. Maybe Swofford will remove his lips from the asses of the schools in North Carolina in a few years.
We're 6-6. We were in no position to choose a bowl game. If anyone got screwed out of this its Pitt, not us. They deserved the belk bowl more than anyone. The entitlement of some fans on here is astounding.
Pitt wanted the military bowl. Thy didn't want their fans to have to travel very far.
Or the Pinstripe which didn't want them.
Tell that to the Pitt fans. They are melting down on twitter in epic fashion and from the comments on their SB Nation site, the commentors are pretty upset as well. They seem really angry with the ACC. Maybe they should be angry with their administration.
My football dream world has us in the SEC East along with NC State. We play 9 conference games with Texas A&M as our perennial crossover rival. And UVA is our traditional SEC November cupcake game.
For his last home game , the ACC allowed the gator bowl in 2010 to take Bobby Bowden and his 6-6 FSU team , passing Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech in the conference bowl pecking order. Bowden had previously stated he wanted to coach his last game in the state of Florida. Exceptions to the conference rules can be made and in the case of Beamers last game , should have been made. After admission the ACC has never done any favors to Virginia Tech. To a certain extent I agree with Dirtybirds post.
You do realize that under the bowl system at the time, Orange Bowl was the #1 ACC pick (which is where GT went to), and Chick-fil-a had #2 (and took VT), right?
Maybe Clemson has a gripe, getting passed over by a 6-6 team, but everything was done within the rules of the time.
This whole situation was far more complicated and a result of the "interpretation" of the contract than your statement makes it out to be. Many believe this was to get Bowden his home game in the state of Florida.
http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/florida_state_seminoles/2009-11-3...
My point is that Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech didn't get passed over in the bowl selection that year. GT was ACC Champs, and as such, went to the Orange Bowl. VT went to the bowl that had the next pick.
The Gator Bowl was at least third on the list.
So, while there were some shenanigans, it's still wrong to say that the two Techs were screwed somehow, when they both went to better bowls.
The MAJOR difference between Bobby Bowden and Frank Beamer in these scenarios is that Frank has too much class to try to influence anyone into putting VT in a specific bowl for his own needs. Sure, Frank might talk to Whit and say "Man, it sure would be great to play my last bowl game close to home in Charlotte/Belk Bowl!", but he would never say "Whit, let's you and I pull every string we can to make the Belk Bowl happen despite our .500 record. I don't want to play anywhere else."
Frank is humble and simply happy that the bowl streak didn't end under his tenure and that he'll have one final chance to coach the team he loves for the fans he loves.
Gonna show them the 50 states?
Okay now I'm really pissed now that I see WHO is playing in the Belk Bowl...
Honestly, if we can send Frank out a winner I could care less where the game is. Just win baby.
Well, at least Frank has a chance to go out winning back to back bowls for the first time in 23 years...
Frank has won back to back bowls before. Beat Cincy in the Orange Bowl in the 2008 season. Then beat Tennessee in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in the 2009 season.
Edit: beat to it
Except for 2009. Orange Bowl vs. Cincinnati then CFA Bowl vs. Tennessee.
Honestly, I almost went to Shreveport last year for work, and declined because it just SOUNDS like a pretty boring place to spend the holidays. Having read up a bit on it since then, it kind of sounds like a fun little southern town. I've never been to the deep south and it could be a neat little experience.
Let me just say as probably one of the few Hokies living here in the deep south (Dothan, AL), it is vastly overrated. Especially all those quaint southern towns. They are all the same and after 1 day they are just that, a small southern town hours away from everything. Some people are into that and power to them. But me being originally from NJ, I have entered a slow driving, boring, and warm nearly year round hell.
Resisting all Jersey related jokes...
careful now........keep resisting........
Give yourself to the dark side.
I meant keep resisting the Jersey jokes.....I've lived in Jersey all my life except for when i went to Tech....
Last week the team decided to go to a bowl and keep the streak alive by beating LOLUVA. Great job. Had the team wanted to go to the Belk Bowl, I am afraid that decision needed to be made one week earlier. Go Hokies. I luv you all
I had most of my travel plans set for a bowl game in Charlotte and after the announcement, I contemplating sitting out the bowl season.
But it's Frank's last game...there is no way I am missing this. It's not a glamorous place, but there are casinos and cajun food. It'll be a good time.
Careful, or you might miss it by betting your tickets or spending the game on the porcelain throne.
I can sympathize on both scenarios.
You know what is funny to me is the people in here surprised and annoyed with the people who are upset about this. Sure, yeah we should have gone 12-0 if we wanted to go to a good bowl game. But we didn't and we all wanted to say bye to Frank. So it's perfectly acceptable to log onto the internet and complain and be upset for a while. How about we go through the stages of grief together.
Not calling anyone out just calling it like it is.
DollarsOnATreadmill will be going towards taking my dad, born into a Notre Dame household, to South Bend next year instead.
Have fun everyone. I'll be jumping from my couch.
Me too, flying into Chicago and taking train to South Bend.
That's not a bad idea. We found a place up near Indiana Dunes, which has become a tradition of sorts in the past few years
Didn't know you had a couch in the barn? Must be one helluva couch.
Book your hotel soon! We landed a couple pricey rooms up near the dunes but there's not much left in the area
I guess I'll just have to see how all the other bowls fell out. I just can't see how the Belk passed VT up for NCSt. It really makes no sense. You could probably guarantee a sellout for Frank's last game. Hell I was prepped to buy my tickets to Charlotte tonight if we went, but $100 is much easier to stomach than $500....
I'll be interested to see if anyone does a write-up about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering here. But it largely falls on Pitt. They ended up in the Military Bowl, which is Tier 2. That means no 6-6 team (e.g., VT) could jump them for a Tier 1 spot. We could have jumped all the 7-5 teams, but only if the 8-4 teams were all taken already by Tier 1. There were #sauces about Pitt being picky about their destination, declining Sun Bowl because it was too far, and really angling to get Pinstripe, but the Pinstripe Bowl wanted Duke. So Pitt was playing musical chairs and got a bit left out. Belk at that point had to take either Pitt or a 7-5 team, so we were out no matter what. Pitt accepted the Military Bowl invite, so the vacant Belk had to take a 7-5 team, and NC State was probably the geographical best fit. They would have made a ton more money if it were VT, though. But they couldn't do it.
Will be interesting to see if what I pieced together from Twitter and a few other places is actually right. So really, disappointed fans can blame: (1) Pitt for being difficult, (2) Pinstripe Bowl for wanting Duke, or (3) Miami because...reasons.
As if I needed another reason to hate Pitt...
Pitt wanted a game their 150 fans could drive to .
In their defense I wouldn't wanna go to the sun bowl either. Not sure why the ACC has a bowl-tie in to a game in El Paso, TX. Their fans barely show up to their home games, so they definitely weren't going to show up in Texas. Their AD pushed and got them into the closest bowl game to their school and gets a ranked opponent (albeit on their home field). If Whit did that we would probably praise him.
THIS could we please have an intelligent dicussion with someone ANYONE about why the ACC has three shitty bowl cities!! El Paso, Shrevepeort and Detroit!!!
John. Swafford.
Same reason we don't have a tv network.
All our bowls are crappy compared to other P5 conferences. The Russell Athletic Bowl is the first non-NY6? Really?
The premier bowl for non-BCS games used to be the peach and the gator. The peach is now a NY6 and the Gator bowl hates the ACC and picks B10 games when available (Penn state over a Miami v. Georgia matchup???).
I actually think the Russell Athletic Bowl has recently been/will continue to be a better game than the Gator (Tax Slayer) bowl.
I guess you could make an argument about getting exposure in markets we typically don't get to play in, but from a ticket sales/attendance standpoint (which is what bowls are all about) it makes no sense. There's not a single ACC fanbase that would get excited about playing games in those cities. I think there's way too many bowl games in general. Just an excuse to get a few more weeks of practice in and more money for advertisers.
That's the thing those are two very "old" bowl games, but when new bowls open in places people would actually like to go, the Bahamas! Why doesn't the ACC jump on them?
"Like to go" and "able to go" are two very different things. Most Hokie fans don't want to go/can't go to Shreveport because of the expenses & time involved. A bowl game in the Bahamas would be a similar story.
Telling the family we will spend Christmas in "insert bowl location here" works a lot better when its a warm place they would like to go on vacation than when its Detroit, Shreveport, Idaho, or El Paso. If I am going to spend vacation money to go somewhere for Christmas, whether it is worth it or not should not have to depend on if we win or lose. It needs to be somewhere we all would want to vacation to if their was not a bowl game, or close enough to where I live I don't need to use all my vacation time and money to go. I would go to Peach, Belk, Music City, or Military because I have time to drive there and back.
How do you figure? Plenty of people would go to a bowl game in the Bahames especially when flights cost less than flying someplace lie, Shreveport, add in the fact you can make it a family vacation and it's a great place for a bowl.
I don't think this is the case... I think the TV/Ad revenue is the biggest driver. But, I agree - If there's not at least one ACC major alumni base nearby the city hosting the bowl, that city should not have a bowl.
Good point.
f. pitt.
I'm happy for the team to go bowling.
FWIW its a much closer for Brewer's family....so I'm happy for that.
I'm happy for the extra practices.
I would have much preferred Charlotte selfishly... I would have taken my boys and yelled for the team while my wife and daughter went shopping at South Park......
( OK, scratch that. The Independence Bowl selection just saved me a whole bunch of $$.)
Man, if I we're still stationed at barksdale I would get A LOT of free tickets.
The base always gets a lot of tickets to the independence bowl and gives them to the bare personnel and their families.
If our offense doesn't put up some serious yards and points, well, I don't know what to say because our offense will be different next year so it really doesn't matter.
well, is lefty play calling??
Somehow I knew this question would come up. In my opinion, he seems to do well when he has time to sleep and plan. Maybe he can remember his own plays and the names of the running backs when rested.
Now now there folks...we all know that based on the Tusla /s defensive ranking Lefty is going to jet sweep our offense to absurd offensive yard totals because we want 100% juice! MAN!
Still beat's Stineys game planning vs Kansas. x 1E9
But we are talking about the VT offense here. Even if they are third is the worst, we will find a way to make it close... just seen this happen to many times. Frank will never run up the score.
Frank's last game, his assistant coaches are coaching for spots next year. I think Frank runs up the score as high as he wants.
VT won 6 games, and I'm considering it fortunate that they're going to a bowl at all.
Yes, it would have been optimal to go to a closer bowl, but:
5-7 teams went bowling this year.
Yes, and that's not something to be proud of.
Ok, and I'm proud that my team fought like hell to be 6-6. I don't get this "just happy to be here" mentality that so many seem to have right now.
When you fight like hell to be 6-6 and make it to the top 80 out of 128 teams, you don't get to pick which bowl you're in. You do your best to win the one you're assigned. You can bet Tulsa would LOVE to beat Virginia Tech.
I'd have liked it to be the Sugar Bowl, and I absolutely would have been there for that. As it is, though, I'll have to watch this one on TV.
5-7 teams? Shoot, 80 teams are going bowling this year.
/s
From the Rivals page, Tulsa put up 40 or more points in six games. The one of those they lost was to Memphis, 66 - 42. In three more games they put up 34 or more. As mentioned somewhere in this thread, they are near last on the defensive scale. They played Oklahoma for a 38 - 52 loss. Incidentally, they put up their lowest total points against ECU and lost 17 - 30.
It's our bowl, like it or not, so let's make a game of it and send Frank and Lefty and his guys too out on a high note.
***sigh*** I agree.
Hokies' Guide to Shreveport-Bossier City
First off, welcome fellow Hokies to Ratchet City. Yes, you heard correctly, Shreveport is actually "the home of the ratchet" as you will hear proudly proclaimed on the local rap/hip-hop radio station. It doesn't get as cold here as it does in Virginia, but it will likely still be near freezing during your stay, so don't think just because it's the deep south you can get away without packing some warm clothes. The business in the local area is supported by gambling addiction and the military, so if you make your way into the dingy parts of town don't be surprised to see tobacco shops, tattoo parlors, gas station casinos, and a few strip joints.
Attractions
Casinos
I am not a gambler, so I can really only comment on the interior and some of the food.
Food
Any other questions, just reply. I would have started a new thread but I don't have enough upvotes.
Well done.
Good write up, you pretty much covered it all.
I'm sure there are a few more food places, which I will edit in as I think of them.
Off the top I can't think of any that you didn't already hit on.
I added Bodacious BBQ, Fully Stacked, and a couple more regional fast food places (Raising Canes and Zaxby's).
Haha, I just came back to suggest Bodacious. My coworkers always raved over the Botato.
They have a Zaxbys now?
Yes we have a few Zaxbys around town now and Bodacious is definitely a must visit.
Man, the Shreveport-Bossier area is starting to catch up.
I feel like there wasnt anything worth while when I first got there 6 years ago. Slowly but surely they started getting things here and there. I believe they got Chipotle, Panera Bread, and a few other restaurants before I left in 2013.
It does have Chipotle (although the one here is not as good as the ones I've visited other places), Moe's Southwest Grill, Panera Bread and all the other usual suspects. The southern part of Youree Drive has been built up with nice shopping area and tons of food places. Airline Drive is also being built up with 2nd and 3rd locations of all those places.
It's an interesting place that has all the convenience of a small city with all the new additions but you can drive 10 miles out of the city limits and be in the sticks. That being said, it was above 100 degrees every day for over two weeks this summer plus I thought the may flies in Virginia were bad but the insects here are awful, so I can't wait to move on.
Don't forget the jurassic sized mosquitoes.
Swarms.
RAISING CANES
This is the local sentiment, yes.
We had them in Ohio when we lived there and now in Charleston when we go down there for shopping, it's the ONLY fast food I eat. The sauce is something else.
What can you tell me about the drive in? Airport? Hotels? How far away (time wise) are the big airports of Dallas and Houston and any others you would think of?
If you want to fly in to a big airport, you should be looking at Dallas which is a ~3 hour straight shot of interstate to Shreveport. Maybe a little less thanks to Texas' 70mph speed limits. Flying into Shreveport Regional will definitely be more expensive, but I would compare costs of both options as you might end up paying the difference in time lost due to travel and gasoline. Houston would increase driving significantly and further cut into your time and travel budget with gas.
If you drive from Virginia (we'll say Richmond), it can be done in a day and a half. Less if you trade off driving/sleeping time with a friend.
I live in SC near Myrtle Beach can't drive. Looked at flights I can fly from Myrtle Beach to Texarkana???? For 357.
Texarkana is only about an hour drive away and is also a straight shot on the interstate. I've never really known anyone to fly in and out of there which is why it didn't occur to me, but it would be a lot shorter drive than Dallas.
Welcome to TKP. Love the name. Have a leg.
Thanks! I've been a reader for a while now but I figured it was time to join the club. As a Hokie trapped in hardcore LSU country (these people want to paint the bridge purple, and I'm not kidding), I'm glad to help anyone making the trip.
I appreciate the info. Sadly, I won't be able to use it, but it's appreciated nonetheless.
So if I am reading this correctly, and I like to think that I am, TheA10GoesBRRRT is buying drinks for everyone after the game! That's a hell of a gesture. I knew I liked you.
Also great write-up, big ratchet fan here
I wish! I will be working that night. Uncle Sam conveniently neglected to mention that "service before self" would include placing me 10 minutes away from a football stadium where the Hokies would be playing.
Two random and possibly side questions: 1) what is the closest or largest local university & 2) best places in the area to secure temp female companionship??
1) The closest university is Louisiana State University, Shreveport (LSU-S), which from what I understand is known for the medical programs. You will also find Louisiana Tech an hour east in Ruston, and University of Louisiana-Monroe is another 30 minutes past Ruston.
2) I am married, but I work with a ton of single dudes, so from what I have heard: the local female population is "meh" at best. You will probably find cougars at the casinos and a mixture of locals and Air Force women downtown in the bar scene: Chicago, The Boot, Sand Bar, Blind Tiger, Phoenix Underground -- all of which are within walking distance of each other in downtown Shreveport. There is also Larry Flint's Hustler Club downtown if you give up looking, you will see the sign from a mile away.
One more thing: you will be competing with tons of single Air Force guys, so expect poor gender ratios at most places.
pretty sure that guy is married too, at least from his previous comments
Fern is correct. Also, won't be attending. Just feel like it's a topic that should always be covered for any others that may be curious. Thx. Also, aren't there typically a higher ratio of females in the Air Force than the other branches? Plus, wouldn't they get tired of the same scene and whatnot?
Ratio may be better, but I do know Air Force ladies are typically better looking. So, there's that.
Note: Relative to other branches. Which could amount to nothing depending on your expectations.
Air Force girls look like supermodels after you get some deployment eyes. Of course, so do Army girls, but that happens a lot later in the deployment.
On a quick search, as of 2013 the Air Force was about 19% female. That's significantly better than the Marines, slightly better than the Army, and a few points above Navy/Coast Guard.
But better than all the other branches still equates to about 4:1 men to women. When you hear Marines and Soldiers complaining about all the women in the Air Force, it's not because there's an abundance. It's only because they're so severely deprived of female co-workers.
yeah, I know what that's like. You can just imagine the scores of women that I worked with back when I was a cruise missile maintenance guy /s
Being medical now, ...well, ..its got its perks.
I know this is a Tier 20 bowl game and Charlotte sounded good but, honestly, a little more than a week ago just making a bowl was great. I still feel excited and can't wait to tune in to send Frank off right. Let's go Hokies! Shreveport we're coming for you! ;-)
I mean, I probably won't make the drive from where I am, but I'll be tuning in and cheering.
If you invite a Pitt to join your conference, they're gonna fuck up your bowl situation.
Well Pittsburgh can go ahead and leave.
Which is why you don't invite Pitt to join your conference.
To be fair, I'm guessing UVa feels the same way about VT.
To be fair and truthful, nobody GAF how they feel. World just keeps on spinning. In fact, it makes me VERY happy and releived that they're all butthurt about it. They should be thankful they even have (what is labeled) a "football program".
I'm thrilled to see these guys suit up again this season no matter where they do it, but having lived in Charlotte since leaving Blacksburg I really wish it was here for 2 large reasons. First, I'm supposed to welcome daughter #2 to the world right before Christmas and there's no way I can take a trip, but I'd be willing to live with the doghouse to sneak away for a few hours in my backyard. Second, my first Hokie game was Frank's first win all those years ago against Navy, I'd love to be able to say I was there in person for his last win as well. Oh well, I'll enjoy it from the couch with the next generation.
Hey at least we're not playing Wake Forest or something like that... two MWC teams have to play each other in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl...
Nevada vs. Colorado State
More info
So it's not nationally televised how does it make money?
So
it's not nationally televisedhow does it make money?FTFY
Most if not all bowls get their money from television contracts.
lol, a little over a week ago, we were a couple minutes of losing to LOLUVA and not making a bowl. People here were like "lets just get to a bowl for frank!"
Now, too many VT fans feel entitled or screwed over. Just be happy we going to a bowl game to send Frank out, with hopefully a win too.
We EARNED this bowl game. If the players have such a pitiful attitude towards this game, we might as well not even show up.
Yahoo Sports Ranks the Bowl Games
We're not last, or the lowest one involving a P5 team!
Um...hurray??
I think this is what UVA fans feel like when they check pre-season conference power rankings, and they're #13 out of 14.
and
oh and...
finally...
From Yahoo Sports Ranking the Bowls
36. Camping World Independence Bowl (Dec. 26, Shreveport, Louisiana) — Tulsa (6-6) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
The Hokies turned in an inspiring effort to get Frank Beamer a final bowl game before he retires and now they have to finish it off. Just a little unfortunate Beamer's final contest isn't in a place a little more glamorous than Shreveport.
But we are the ones that feel "entitled"... seems Yahoo Sports shows a little sympathy
I wish they would change the whole Bowl system.
I like the playoffs. I am not a fan of a huge playoff system. So far this is working, at most I can see a 8 team format for that, but I hope it stays at 4.
But I think there should be a return to Bowl prestige. Make it so there are money bowls and non-money bowls. only teams with winning records in the season, having won at minimum 7 games, should be rewarded with "money" bowls that have big sponsorship and arranged through a random selection lottery, no Bowl tie ins. But the money for these bowls are standardized. the swag bag can change. (Bowl tie in system sucks ass, and yes I know this mean VT would be out) Then the rest of the 6-6 teams and maybe some 5-7 teams get basically a free for all matchup in regional bowls that can be arranged conference to conference through the lower level sponsors with the caveat that you must play someone OOC.
Playoffs and "Money" bowls are prestigious and automatic National coverage. Non-money bowls are less so and regional coverage, unless an interesting match-up organically happens and gets pushed to National coverage.
I want to see Bowls matter again, and I love seeing oddball pairings of teams that have never faced each other before. i think that is what makes bowl games exciting.
that's just me. I think that would be damn exciting.
Well fuck-dammit! I
guess it's off to (no offense) Shitholeville,Loseranawith apologies to residents and locals (especially Hokies).We're Hokies. I'm definitely not able to make a trip down south but hell there is FOOTBALL TO BE PLAYED!
To everyone here yapping about this, it's not being 'entitled.' It's the difference between being able to show up to Charlotte and being able to show up to Shreveport. I was thinking about trying to make it down to the Belk Bowl, and I've never seen the Hokies in a bowl game before. Now that's out the window. Good thing I have a TV that works
I can understand that people might have wanted an easier drive to Beamer's last bowl game, but I don't understand the attitude that VT somehow got robbed, or the great injustice of it all.
The greatest injustice here is that the bowl game will now have that much less Beard. My feelings about this don't extend to VT as a whole
Well, there is some injustice in that.
I would have gone to Annapolis any day of the week, but cannot make Shreveport.
I was at the VT vs. Indiana game where it all started and what a great ride it has been since that day. But that being said, I have already been there, done that and got that t-shirt and I don't need to come full circle so I will enjoy the game from the man cave and save about 2K. We are what we are which is why we are at where we are at. GO HOKIES!!
Just glad to be off of work and able to watch. In the meantime Im hoping to see more posts about Fuentes recruiting success.
Amen. If we ended up in the Belk bowl I (and others) wouldn't have been able to watch the majority of it since we have a double header of basketball the same day.
In 2012, we drove to Albuquerque from Panama City, Florida to celebrate Christmas at my in-laws. On the way back to Panama City, we stopped in Shreveport and stayed at the Hilton in time to watch the Sugar Bowl.
The rest of the drive home the following day back to Panama City from Shreveport was the longest drive of shame as our minivan was all decked out in Hokies window paint which was now running down the side of the car from morning dew (or maybe our minivan streaked all the window paint from crying) I also remember spilling my Starbucks coffee that morning :(
IT WAS A CATCH!!!
Anyway, that's all I have to say about Shreveport but I'm at least glad we get one more game to at least watch our beloved team put an exclamation point on Beamer's illustrious career and looking forward to what lies ahead with a new team and coach at the helm.
Go HOKIES!
My buddies and I totaled a rental car on our way back from that sugar bowl when a moronic woman decided to pull out in front of us. It was a painful week for all hokies.
I was just a little south of you in New Orleans for that one.
You're right it was a catch. Most of the people in the stadium knew that.
I left the stadium a little stunned that night, and not really in the mood to celebrate. But it sure was a fun trip overall anyway.
I was stationed at Eglin when we lost to FSU in the inaugural ACC championship game in Jacksonville. I had a very long 5 hour drive of $&!@)(*&@# chops the whole way home after the game as I had Hokie stickers on my car so I can empathize...
I actually drove down from Shreveport to New Orleans to see the Sugar Bowl that year. Me and one other friend, ...pretty sure we drove back in complete and utter silence.
Meh. I can't go and might not even be able to watch this bowl game, that day is a travel day for me. I won't apologize for being upset about the selection. I understand it, doesn't mean I have to like it.
Opening line is VT -14.
Edit: Was just looking at all the spreads, and we are by far the biggest favorite of all the bowl games. I think that says more about Tulsa than it does us.
Can't we just be mad that they bothered to put a bowl game in Shreveport, LA? For that matter, why are they putting bowl games in undesirable destinations? It makes NO sense!
/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ THIS!!! /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\
Well at least they don't have a bowl game in Detroit....
oh, wait...nvm
Detroit wouldn't be so bad. There's a major airport and things to do (in theory).
Shreveport....I just have no idea.
Coming next season: The Fallujah Bowl
Easiest travel to both locations is the back of a C-130.
Where have you three been all the times I've brought this up?
have a leg to make up for 1 of those 3 times....
Shreveport, El Paso, what is next, the Alaska Bush Plane Bowl? I hear Fairbanks is pleasant this time of year.
Can we suit up Bobby Boucher? We have had issues with LB play this year so he might come in handy since we are playing right by his house. Maybe he will show up at half time and we can win the Bourbon Bowl!
How about the Kentucky Bourbon Bowl and since we are such fans of playing in a racetrack it could be played on the infield at Churchill Downs.
30+ Points
a Defensive TD
Special Teams TD
14 points against
Beamer dances at midfield and then gets carried off to the 1st tee box where he is met by Steve Spurrier to begin their retirement.
Except Spurriers "retirement" started 2 months ago.
I know that records should matter for bowl selection, but its assonine that the Belk bowl is not allowed to have its pick of the bowl eligible teams.
If it makes financial sense to them to pick us, the ACC should have no right to take that decision into their own hands. What does it matter to the ACC, wouldn't they want the team with the best chance to make the bowls happy to represent them? I am lost for words at explaining the incompetence of the ACC.
I mean, we take on a Labor Day night game, a Friday night game, among other things we do for the conference. And then they can't throw us a bone to send off Beamer? The lack of respect is disgusting.
Imagine the reaction among our fans if an 8-4 VT got passed over for a 6-6 FSU.
The ACC wants to reward better records with better bowls. Explain how that's incompetent.
They didn't reward better records! Pitt got passed over by multiple teams they beat and had better records than.
They do reward better records. There's just an allowance of a one win difference during the selection process. Pitt is perhaps the least desirable ACC program in terms of bowl selection, so the bowls exhausted their ability to pick teams with one fewer win than Pitt before someone was forced to select Pitt.
It's a balance. Bowls (and programs) want some flexibility in the selection process. But the ACC doesn't want a 9-win smaller program to be passed over for a 6-win larger program. So the one fewer win guideline is a compromise.
FWIW you technically cannot jump a team that is 2 or more wins better than you. We could only jump the 7-5 teams.
That's what I was trying to say. The rule prohibits an 8 win team being jumped by a 6 win team. Could you imagine if VT got passed over by a better bowl to select a team with a significantly worse record? We'd be passing out pitchforks. But when the same rule prevents us from the bowl we wanted, it's suddenly incompetence on behalf of the ACC.
I call it the BC Rule, because it was implemented shortly after they joined the conference. All those years in the late 2000s they had decent teams but would get passed over in the bowls because they didn't have a strong fanbase.
i hate matt ryan. I'm glad he didn't get to go to any good bowls
Fuck Matt Ryan
Except that they don't.
Pitt got screwed way more than we did (and we really didn't get screwed, just feels that way). Granted part of that is their poor poor fan support. But there reward for 8-4 is playing against a really good Navy @ Navy.
I'm so, so tired of hearing about teams getting screwed. No one got screwed. A team would have been screwed if there had been a change or a waiver to the selection process. That didn't happen. As it stands, Pitt was in a selection pool with all 9 win and 7 win programs. They were the last team selected from that pool. That's not getting screwed, that's being the fat kid who got picked last at dodgeball.
My point simply being that the way the ACC does their bowl selections doesn't reward merit or better records, and in this year's example doesn't even reward the bowls financially. The Belk bowl is probably not terribly thrilled with having to take NC State or Pitt as their only choices.
If you can't see that the actual players for Pitt got screwed, then I don't know what to tell you. They had a pretty good season and their reward is probably to get run over by Navy at their home stadium.
If you think this situation is worse than what happened to BC in the years they played us for the ACC championship, then I, in turn, don't know what to tell you.
The ACC has developed a system that guarantees less desirable programs can only fall so far in the selection process, without completely tying the hands of the bowls. This is a far, far better system. But if you want to lobby for a system in which no team can be passed over for a team with a worse overall record, then that's fine.
You seem to be arguing with me when we in fact agree. Why would you assume that my feelings about BC in those instances would be different than the ones I just expressed about Pitt? Seems odd to think I would feel differently in either case.
I am not arguing about where VT is placed. My point simply being that the ACC system as practiced does not recognize merit. It perhaps attempts to account for a less desirable team that makes the CCG and loses, but more or less fails beyond that. And I mean it failed teams and bowls. Pinstripe got stuck with a team that won't bring any fans. Belk got stuck with a team that would not have been their preference. Military might be full only because it's a Navy home game.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just saying I think the ACC has found a nice compromise. Like I said above, you definitely can advocate for a system where you can't select a team with a worse record over a team with a better one, but then I think the ACC is going to have a tougher time securing bowl tie-ins. Just being honest, there are some teams that are just not attractive to selection committees, and Pitt is near the top of that list. Duke, likewise, won't bring fans to wherever they go bowling. We have some programs with some shitty, shitty fan support. But if you strongarm bowls into taking Pitt over NC State because they had one more win, that's how you find it real hard to maintain your bowl affiliations.
This is a better system than the ACC had in the middle 2000s. You can argue it can be improved to guarantee teams with better records a better bowl, but doing that is going to have some negative consequences.
No, Pinstripe selected Duke. They could have taken Pitt (which is closer), but they didn't, which is what contributed to the trickle down effect.
Two things you should look up real quick.
dictionary.com/circumstances
NC State vs Pittsburgh's record.
More importantly, I think our fans are smart enough to understand if a legendary coach was retiring and a bowl thought that would be better for both parties, then the conference should stay out of the way. Well, some of our fans are smart enough....
Your condescending tone aside, you've not really replied to my point. What would your reaction be if an 8 or 9 win VT got passed over for a 6 win FSU? I'd imagine you would be far less concerned about the circumstances that led to that selection.
I actually replied to that exact point. I said that I think most Hokie fans (myself included was implied) wouldn't be too upset if FSU was picked with similar circumstances because we would realize context matters. Win total is completely relative to a lot of other factors.
Well then, let's just leave it at this: I think you're wrong, and I think the smart fans are the ones who realize, rules are rules. The agreement in place has protections that guarantee you can only fall so far in the selections based on your final record. It doesn't matter if your coach is retiring, or if your dog died, or if you really, really wanna go to a different bowl game, gosh darn it. If you want a better bowl game, you win enough games to get you to that better bowl game. If Pitt wants an elite bowl, they better win 10-11 games, because they have no curb appeal to the bowl selection committees. If we want a second-tier bowl, we better damn well finish with a second-tier record.
In the scenario you propose, FSU or Clemson would always be the second bowl selection, regardless of record.
Funny story:
When I was in grade school in the spelling bee, my (last) word was to "spell asinine."
I asked for the word to be used in a sentence, and the teacher said:
"It would be asinine for you to misspell this word."
I did, and promptly had to leave the stage.
When we win more games than we lose, maybe I'll bitch about which bowl we get.
We are a mess of a football team right now and had to scratch and claw our way to a 6-6 season. Does that mean I'm just happy to be here? You're damn right I'm just happy to be here, because we were a gnat's eyelash away from sharing the couch with LOLUVA for the holidays.
Sure I'd love a sexy bowl. But we didn't earn it.
I agree.
Then again, I think we could eliminate about half the bowls out there. Preferably the ones that are far away to places I don't really need to visit.
It wasn't such a bad thing when not every team went to a bowl, but I'm glad VT gets another month of practice.
There needs to be a limit placed on the number of bowls so that the number of spots equals half the number of FBS programs. You could still theoretically wind up with 5-7 teams in that scenario, but it would be much more unlikely. We're well beyond a saturation point now, and it's ridiculous. No one gives a shit about half the bowl games as it is.
I guess the theoretical limit will be when bowls lose too much money.
Somehow, between ticket sales, TV revenues, and sponsorship they're making enough to feel that it's worthwhile.
If I understand it correctly, the NCAA will always make money from every bowl game, because the people who organize the bowl have to pay the NCAA to host the sanctioned bowl game. So even if a bowl loses money, the NCAA makes money by that bowl being played. If individual bowls lose money, they'll fold (and some have), but there will usually be another organization somewhere that thinks they can be profitable in the venture and will take a defunct bowl's spot.
The bowl organizers can lose money, the schools themselves can (and often do) lose money through contractual obligation of a certain threshold of ticket sales, but the NCAA always comes out ahead in the deal.
Could be worse...
Colorado State (7-5) and Nevada (6-6) get to play in an inaugural bowl that isn't even televised.
The kicker-> both teams are in the same conference. Mountain West
The nut shot-> they got passed over by 5-7 Nebraska who gets to play in the Foster Farms Bowl.. vs 8-4 UCLA
yikes
I could probably convince my wife to go to Tucson if they want to switch.
Nut shot->Tuscon
See what you did there.
Tucson->Last Man On Earth->January Jones->Will Forte->MacGruber
I see what you did there.
OK, I didn't need the January Jones reference for this to work, but I doubt anyone's going to nitpick that.
Actually mine was a Fam Guy epi ref. But thanks for playing (all in good jest).
I couldn't let the Tucson-McGruber connection slide.
But of course not.
So an hour or so after the selection by the Independence Bowl I had purchased my tickets. It's HCFB last game and I feel like being a part of that. After reading a lot of the gripes on here I thought surely there's something interesting about Shreveport. A quick Google search turned up this. http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/shreveport-facts/
Let's just say if number 35 isn't an option then there is absolutely nothing interesting about Shreveport IMO.
I'd love to go support frank. And i was in for any of the following bowls: pinstripe, belk, military, music city. but this one is just impossible due to location, date and time. it's too bad frank will have to go out in front of only a few thousand fans.
it's posted above, but David Teel's article describes the situation perfectly, for how we ended up here
I understand the stupid ACC rules keeping us out of the BELK, but, the Hokies should have gone to the Military again, especially against a tough opponent like Navy. Plus, the NOVA HOKIES would have filled the stadium again. Oh well, I'll be hosting a viewing party in my Hokie Cave.
The Military Bowl had to pick Pitt. Check out Andy Bitter's twitter and you'll find a link to an ACC article explaining the selection process and why they couldn't pick the Hokies.
Well while everyones down. Heres a list of some fun things you probably never knew about Shreveport!
Number 43 Looks promising, Im sure no ones been stabbed there mutliple times a year....
http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/shreveport-facts/
Pretty good list, definitely should be pointed out that Louisiana takes doughnuts seriously. Highly recommend stopping by Southern Maid to get some fresh ones.
Could Kendall play in the bowl? VTFootball just posted some videos of him and Jonathan McLaughlin on Snapchat bowling, which while is far from a contact sport, takes some leg strength that I wasn't sure Kendall had.
Kendall is just chilling out, waiting to go pro. He ain't worried about VT Football no more.
You may be right. But I remember reading somewhere on here that his family really wants him to get his degree like his brothers. However, if I were Kendall, I'd get paid today and come back for the degree at some point later.
If he's still projected 1st round, and he should still be, he should go no questions asked.
Oh yeah. I absolutely agree and no one should honestly expect him to return. But if he does, I'm sure no one would be sad about it.
Is there a place that I can find out which hotel the team is staying in while in Shreveport?
I'm gonna get the hatin' on started early:
you may think Golden Hurricane is a dumb name for a football team, but it's a huge step up from their previous team name: Golden Shower.
i just find it odd that a team from Oklahoma has a hurricane as its mascot.
Just bought my tickets and reserved my hotel. CFB last game. Wouldn't miss it.
Any advice on what part of the stadium to sit in? Stubhub has a bunch of options. I assume VT side but didn't know if one area was a lot better than others.
Why not buy tickets through the school?
I don't want to sit in the upper deck and pay more for the chance to.
I understand that but I'm hearing from people that the school has decent seats at least some and buying through the school helps the school instead of some dealer. Just my 2 cents.
Nah, You're spending X dollars simply to get there and stay at least 1 night, so get the tickets you want regardless. Support the team from the best view you can afford.
Just opened up this week's Sports Illustrated. On page 24, they list "The Best Non-New Years Bowls." The good news is that the Tech-Tulsa game is one of five mentioned, with the caption "Where Hokies Coach Frank Beamer's 23 bowl streak began." The bad news is that they list it as the Citrus Bowl. Ouch. I expect better than that out of SI.