I mentioned this in a comment on another thread, and I'm wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. We play Tulsa in the Independence Bowl this Saturday. I'm consciously aware of that fact. And yet when I think about this upcoming game, it's almost like it exists in some alternate parallel dimension that I'm not a part of.
Don't get me wrong. I'm excited to watch Frank Beamer's last bowl game. I'm excited to watch another Hokies football game. It's not that I'm disinterested in it. It's that for the first time probably ever, the outcome will have essentially no effect on my emotional state concerning our football program.
In my heart, I've already moved on to the Justin Fuente era. That's not intended as a slight on Frank in any regard. It just means that whether we win by 30 or lose by 30, the result of the Independence Bowl will be fleeting to me. I won't carry any sense of elation from a convincing win into the offseason, because the team - particularly the offense - will look nothing like what we see in Shreveport. Likewise, I won't have any lingering angst if we happen to lose to a decided underdog. I will just feel bad that Frank went out with a dud, and reassured that now is indeed the time for change.
Win or lose, the results will essentially be rendered meaningless immediately after the game is played, at least in my mind. There will be a nostalgia factor to Frank's last game, but traditionally our bowl game has left me with the final taste in my mouth from a season, which lingers all the way until spring practice begins. That won't be the case this season.
I just wanted to take the pulse of TKP and see if any other readers are sharing similar sentiments heading into Frank's last game as head coach?
Comments
I absolutely want us to win this last game. Frank deserves it and I would hate to see him go out on a sour note. However, I agree with your thoughts about moving on. I think I have been ready to move on for years and to be able to do so with a seemingly excellent offensive coach, and BUD, is really exciting and has consumed most of my attention.
I think you are going to be surprised how much the offensive plays next year will look like ones from this year just with better end results.
As for th game I'm interested in the outcome for several reasons 1) Frank gets an even number of wins( it will look better on his plaque in the hall of fame) 2) boost the self confidence of the younger guys to get another win 3) perception of VT football matter when it comes to OOC scheduling , game times and unfortunately recruiting
I would really like to see Frank coach this as he coached all bowl games, as a reward for the players. I want them to have fun, win, and do it the right way like Frank always has. I'd prefer not to lose to Tulsa in Shreveport of all places (been there, I have family living there) but, if we do go down I hope it doesn't get too many people down.
But heading into the game day of with a nice buzz this will be my mindset:
Outside of sending Beamer off with a win and not being the first class since 1992 to have a losing season, the game means next to nothing. Foster gets a couple extra practices to evaluate guys who will be needed to play next season (Mihota, Hill, Gaines, Settle, Walker, Alleyne, Edmunds, Moss, and Lydon.)
Offensively, you could argue it is counter productive. Fuente, if he has spent any time observing practice, could be doing some evaluation. But, the offense will be working through the growing pains of a new system (despite Loeffler's comments about the similarity of the structure) in the spring.
It's definitely not going to be what the military bowl was for me last year: salvaging the season (as much as it could be) and making for a preview of the following one. That said, I'm really excited to see our boys suit up one more time and to get another chance to observe the players that will be the heart of the offense next year, even with the inevitable (and welcome) changes. We get to see Isaiah Ford try to become the second Hokie receiver to break 1K yards. We get to see T-Mac post his first of, I hope, many 1K yard rushing seasons. We get to see Cam and Malleck be clutch when everyone is blanketing Ford and Bucky (yes, I know Malleck will not be here next year, but it seemed to fit).
In short, I know things will change and there will be limited continuity between the bowl game and spring ball, but I'm not entirely throwing out this game.
Also, #beatthegoldenshower4Frank
hrm...I could be confused so I'll explain my thinking:
1. The Golden Hurricane is a stupid name (made even dumber by the fact that Miami just ended the era of the Golden Hurricanes)
2. No one would or should ever call their team the Golden Shower, for obvious reasons.
3. I'm going to mock them by calling them the Golden Shower.
did I miss something? Go fighting gobblers!! ;-)
I'm sure your reasoning is sound, but I'd prefer if you chose a different terminology.
ok. I'm open to suggestions.
how about the Tulsa Golden Tropical Depression, because it's not nearly as terrifying as a Hurricane, but it still blows?
Crap, I live in Oklahoma and for the life of me can't understand why they are the golden hurricanes. It's not like they moved from Louisiana to Utah (Jazz). I'm an east coast guy. Been through a couple hurricanes. They strike way less fear than a Tornado does. Why they didn't go with that, I don't know. I mean they'd have something that geographically fit and the double T effect. They were obviously drunk at that naming convention.
The history of the name
They used to be the yellow jackets, but didn't think that was a good team name so they changed it to "Golden Tornado," ostensibly so they wouldn't have to change their color scheme. Apparently, at the time, Georgia Tech was the Golden Tornado so Tulsa had to change their name. They just swapped Hurricane for Tornado and it stuck. Then, in order to punk them (and since they didn't want to drive all the way to Tulsa to steal a T), Georgia Tech changed their name to Yellow Jackets.
TLDR: Less drunk, more lazy.
I stand corrected sir!
Who downvoted you for that? I got your back. Catch!
Thanks. I'm guessing someone clicked on the wrong arrow..
Win or lose what I'll remember most about Beamer's last season is the celebration on the sideline immediately after the interception at UVa. At this point, this game is just a victory lap and the outcome is generally meaningless in the grand scheme, especially with a new staff already announced.
Agreed, until game time, and then I'm all...
Off topic, do you think his beer thrower has eligibility?
No, that dude has one job, and one job only...
I believe that man was actually fired.
Edit: "Let go" http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0807/579764/backstage-news-on-mark-yeaton-wwe-departure/
I think that was the clip from Actor's Studio. /s
Captures extreme happiness to complete fear and disappointment.
And the terror of forgetting your muffins in the oven.
"I prefer 'future-endeavored.'"
-- Vincent Kennedy McMahon
I am excited just to watch our team play again. Hopefully the team plays well for Frank. At the end of the day, it is another opportunity to drink bourbon watching hokie football.
^^^^ This!! Celebration of Frank's career and the Hokies' victory.... this will be a day of celebrating with much brown liquor! I will start with Bourbon and probably move onto the Single Malt somewhere in the 4th. All Hokie Football matters while the clock is ticking. Ten minutes after its over and I finish my last toast... It's onto the new guys!
Sweet sheeba, how can you transition from bourbon to scotch? Don't get me wrong, I love both, but I stick with one when I drink. The tastes just don't mesh.
Then again, that might have something to do with the fact I mostly drink Islay scotch.
I am hooked on the Highland Scotches.... Dalhwinne and Oban are my favorites. They give all the right notes without a dominant peatey taste. I know a lot of the single malt drinkers love the strong smokey influences of the Islay brands but I prefer the cleaner character of Highland and Speyside. To each his own. Also, I like bourbon by itself but most enjoy my scotch with a nice Arturo Fuente Churchill Natural...
If I'm outside of Islay, my go-to is Aberlour, though I've never had the really, really good Obans. Ardbeg Uigeadail is hands down my favorite scotch, though. It's like an Islay that grew up in the Highlands.
It's been years since I had a cigar, but I always preferred maduros.
I want a win for Frank.
I want a win for a winning season.
I want a win so the first day of our offseason will be a happy one.
I want a win because Go Hokies.
all of these things. Plus, I'm not sure about our offense looking completely different. I think it will look fairly similar but it will run more smoothly and be more productive. I equate it sorta like going from a Ford Ranger to a Toyota Tacoma. The Ford Ranger is capable of getting the job done from time to time but it's seriously unreliable whereas the Tacoma, which looks pretty similar from a distance, is whole lot more reliable and will last a much longer time.
Yep, the Fuente Era on offense actually shouldn't look a lot different in its approach from the Loeffler era, except that we expect things to be simplified and executed at a higher level. The talk of some dramatic transformation is, I think, overstated. We should be more productive, which will be nice as long as it happens, but many of the fundamentals will be the same. [Cue consternation on the forums in the first game next year.]
ehh..maybe not the first game..definitely the second game though. I think Liberty is pretty bad and we should be able to beat them just on talent alone. I'm pretty confident even a Loeffler offense would do more than enough to beat them so I think Fuente's offense will look as good as any offense we've seen in Blacksburg since Vick. I think when we play a good team with equal or better talent (UT) we will start to see those growing pains a lot more
True enough, but I'm just anticipating the "why are we running jet sweeps still????" being posted the first time it happens. We should be able to simply out-talent Liberty, but when the offense doesn't look radically different, there will probably be some grumbling. Maybe not too much if we win 63-0 or something, but I could see it.
ditto. I don't see us winning 63-0. I suspect our offense will be very vanilla against Liberty. I think Fuente will want to use the element of surprise to get as many advantages as possible against UT. He'll probably show some pretty basic stuff throughout the game against Liberty and then I'm hoping he'll mix in all kinds of new wrinkles and maybe a trick play or two against UT.
EDITOR'S NOTE: When I said "look nothing like what we see in Shreveport," I wasn't just meaning a different scheme. I also meant fielding an offense that doesn't look like it forgets how to football every 2-3 drives. A sputtering offense in the bowl would usually make me worried about the state of our offensive scheme and/or coordinator. That won't happen to me on Saturday.
As far as some of the spread formations that Lefty utilized, yeah we will probably see a lot of similarity there. But I think we will see a much more refined playbook considering Fuente's offense is a true spread and Lefty attempted to install a multiple offense. We will see a lot of 3-4 WR sets consistently. I doubt we line up under center much unless in a goal line situation. In watching a little film from Memphis and TCU under Fuente, he uses a little diamond formation wrinkle (essentially a full house formation from the pistol) that would be intriguing considering our depth at RB and TE. I expect we will see far less substitutions and different personnel grouping within the same drive and will probably push the tempo a good bit more than Lefty. I expect a more concise offensive scheme will lead to much greater execution as well.
One of my biggest gripes about Lefty is that his up-tempo "sonic" offense was almost always running to the line to run the exact same play again. If you don't catch the defense flatfooted by the sudden uptempo, you are screwed.
Can't run much more smoothly or productive than it is right now
My initial reaction to the OP was a surprising (to me) "Meh...", then I tried to remind myself all of these reasons you mentioned above, which would normally be enough in any other season to get me excited. But walking around these last few weeks, I'm still kind of "okay" with whatever the result is (unless it's absolutely terrible). I think Duke and UNC and these last four seasons have kind of conditioned me that we can play hard and have fun and still just miss, or just win, we'll be back next week (or season).
But more so, considering this year is in fact different, I get the feeling that UNC and UVA were Frank Beamer's real last games, with the rivalries (new and old), the locations, the conference affiliations, the build up, the fire and heart and soul of this squad and fan base. Shreveport feels more and more like just a bonus, not the "I'm putting in a swimming pool" kind, but a "jelly of the month club" kind that makes you want the fat old heartless guy tied up in your living room in his pajamas with a big bow on his head, until you've had a week or two to calm down and you change your mind before the SWAT team (Tulsa) shows up. It's a chance to watch the Hokies and hope they win and keep the streak going, but it feels like the important games have already been played.
I will be greatly disappointed if we lose. But I am with you in that a part of me has already moved to the Fuente era.
This morning I had to double check when the bowl game was, because with all the new stuff going on it completely slipped my mind. I have never had to do that before.
I'd like to see the defense play well because were keeping bud foster, that being said I completely agree on offense. I really hope Fuente is everything he's hyped up to be
I don't care if we lose, I'm already 100% on the Fuente wagon. If we can send Beamer out with a win, great, if not, then it is what it is, a loss in the Independence bowl.
I want this win for many of the reasons stated above. Also, it will get the bad taste out of my mouth from the St Joseph's B-ball loss yesterday - which was pathetic!
We need to win to preserve our winning record since 1992...that's just one. Two, Foster is going to use this game to learn more about his young guys. Three, despite the fact that there is a change of guard on offense and expected growing pains, the new staff still needs this film for evaluation, and to some extent figure out which players are reliable and strong. The more film, the better. I think there are seniors, Beamer, other coaches (Shane?, Lefty, Brown), that want to go out on a winning note.
I think I stand with everyone so far as to what this game means in the short term. Sending Beamer out on a high note, and preserving the win streak are important.
As for the lasting effect? I don't think I will care about the outcome of this game in 2 weeks much less 2 years. Fuente is coming in and I think the excitement around that will be enough to push a potential loss out of my head come January.
Nope, don't care.
This will be my sons first game he has attended and Beamer's final game he coaches. I would really like to see us win.
I agree. It definitely would be great for Frank and the seniors to go out on a winning note, but I won't be incredibly upset if we happen to lose. The last few weeks of the season were great for remembering and celebrating Frank's career, but I've moved on now. While last season was also disappointing, I was more interested in the bowl to preserve Frank's winning streak and build momentum for what seemed like a potentially great season this year. Now, I'm just ready to turn the page.
I'm incredibly excited for the new staff to close out the recruiting class and get to work with spring football. This will definitely be the most exciting spring in recent memory. So much talent returning on both sides of the ball, a ton of impact freshmen enrolling early, and we will get a complete look at the QB battle with everyone on campus starting this January.
I could never just nonchalantly say I don't care if the Hokies lose - in any sport!! I care because all that there is concerning VT football for the last 23 years that this game is culminating in, is Frank Beamer. He didn't take us to where we are just so that in his last game, it doesn't mean anything. This game as was his last Lane game and his last win over the Hoos means something. It is the last stitch in the Virginia Tech football quilt that he started with just a single thread 29 years ago. Next year when we go for 24 bowls, 24 yr winning streak if we win (those two kinda go together right?), and our consecutive game scoring streak (last shutout 1995 to Cincy), it will still be because I care. As it is always the next man up with players, Fuente is the next man up as head football coach. However he does it, I just want to win because I care.
And I get that. My question is, though, win or lose, how much will the result of the Independence Bowl affect you throughout the offseason and flavor your expectations for the 2016 season?
The game is important because we're playing in it. But what will the lasting influence of the game be? For me, there just isn't any, except for saying you remember Frank's last game as being... fill in the blank.
flavoring expectations for next season (now I'm hungry) is an important distinction. Unless our defense gets mauled I don't think this game will have any bearing on my outlook for 2016.
However, I will always be saddened by the fact Beamer finished his career with a losing record by losing his last game to a pretty mediocre team from a pretty mediocre conference. I would be much happier knowing Beamer ended his career with a win to cap off an unprecedented string of winning seasons in Blacksburg.
The result of this game will undoubtedly leave a taste in my mouth despite all of the changes the program is going through right now. I would prefer for that taste to be sweet rather than sour. Will that taste influence my expectations for next season, though? Not likely.
And hell, even if the defense does get mauled, our front four will be so different next season, with the loss of Marshall, Maddy and Dadi, we have no idea what the D line will be like next year. Could be better, could be worse.
Now if our defensive backfield gets torched, that's another issue. But I feel really good about Facyson, Mook, Alexander and Clark. Like, maybe as good as I've ever felt when we haven't had TWO Fullers at the corners.
I'd much rather see all of us over the offseason like this:
via GIPHY
than like this:
via GIPHY
You make a good point, but I'm going to instantly forget it, because right now this game is the most important football game VT is going to play this year.
Oh, and it's Frank's last game. Saying things like "This game doesn't matter anyway" sounds suspiciously like something losers say.
If you're going to play it, it's worth winning it.
Vtkey, you're spot on!
via GIPHY
Well if that gif isn't a euphemism I don't know what is
It seems the captain was listening to "stick it in".
I would love to see Beamer pull out all the stops. Come after every punt and field goal, reverse punt and kick returns, maybe a little flea flicker action. Let us have one more beamerball game before its over. But it will have a lasting effect, Beamer is Virginia Tech and will always be. A win cements a lasting good memory instead of the mediocrity we are used to in recent years.
I agree with OP. UVA was far more important than this game. If I could 'trade' wins, I would have much rather beat UNC (Franks last game at home) than this game against Tulsa.
Obviously I want us to win this game - two biggest motivators are to send Frank out on top, and avoid our first sub .500 season since '92. That being said, I've definitely spent significantly more time reading up about Fuente/next season than I have this bowl game. Can't remember another time when that was the case.
Me and my son are going. Here are my reasons.
1. He's been a Hokie fan and never been to a game.
2. They never play very close to Oklahoma.
3. 50 years from now he will be able to say He saw Beamer coach. Even if it was his last game.
4. Dang it, I'm just always going to be an eternal optimist when it comes to Hokie football. I just can't help myself.
5. $60 front row tickets to a bowl game? Why not?
The only meaning this game has for me is that I get to watch the Hokies play this Saturday. I couldn't care less if we win or lose, outside of always wanting VT to win. That was my feeling with last year's bowl game, and with any bowl game that isn't the Playoffs or against a team that we actually have a rivalry with.
It is absolutely an important game! Send Frank and the seniors out as winners and extend our win streak. If you do not think it is important, your head is in a barrel...
I want to win for Frank, and I personally hate losing. So win baby win!
I am emotionally invested because of the rumors of the new jersey and helmet change. I freaking love the jerseys with shoulder stripes we have had the last several years and this could be the last time we wear them. I loathe the thought of what Nike will come out with next after seeing some of the helmets and grey and black jerseys over the years they have used for special occasions, which we seem to mostly lose while wearing.
Personally I'll be pissed if we lose to another AAC team. What happened to pride? It isn't about the coach, it is about the Hokies getting another W.
Let me think here.....umm, uhhhh
I'm definitely looking forward to the spring game weekend more than the bowl game.
But we really have to win this game. I don't really care how it looks or how it happens just think a loss will stick around a lot longer than people think. Down the line it would get re-hashed. And outsiders often see things differently, as far as what a loss / end of the record would "mean."
This times a million!^^^^^
Excellent point. Even if I personally won't carry any angst from a loss in Shreveport into 2016, at the start of next season the narrative we be our first losing season in 23 years.
Certainly looks like our team finds it meaningful.
280 sounds a lot better than 279.
I was thinking the exact same thing. I also want this team to come out like they are on fire, unlike we have in previous several bowl games They need to empty out the bag of trick plays. Reverses on kick returns, WR throws to the QB, and all out attempts on blocking kicks. Blocking a kick for a score would just be an unbelievable Christmas present.
If we lose: FIRE EVERYBODY!!!!
Oh... wait a minute...
Well...let's put it this way.
First, I'll be watching the Hokies...then I'll switch over to watch the Redskins attempt to make a playoff spot.
And it's all on my birthday.
So I want wins all around.
Yes, it definitely means something to me. If we lose, we would've lost to Tulsa, and no disrespect to them but they don't have any business beating us. We lose Beamer's last game. We have a losing season. People will say 'this is why Beamer is retiring, he's never able to win these bowl games when they matter'. Sure, at the end of it all it doesn't really matter in the sense that we're cleaning up shop, but I won't forget if we lose Beamer's last game to a team that, on paper, is much inferior to us.
I do/have felt the way you described about this game and others. But then about 2.5 plays into the game my emotions and pulse go full flux.
I believe I'm in the same boat as you and Steve^ here. Right now, it's a lame-duck game that I don't care who wins or loses. That generally tends to change after the opening kickoff
While I agree that this game isn't super important, I don't buy all the people saying "I don't care if we lose." It's not like we are playing a top 10 team and are expected to lose. I can understand those losses as long as they aren't embarrassing. We have no business losing to Tulsa. If we lose, I'll be pissed. And it starts the offseason on a bad note. Yes I'll probably move on more quickly, but I still want a win. You don't play games to lose. You play to win. Excited to see Beamer coach his last game and usher in the Fuente era. Haven't been this excited for spring ball since ever probably.
Yes this will stay with me forever.
Between this and the Santa Claus picture, either he retired just in time to lose all sanity, or it's been the best thing for him.
Apparently TV has been after him since he announced his retirement. We are going to see a fun side of Frank for years.
Anyone else hearing the part from whatever the heck that Sublime song is called?
What a game.
I'll carry optimism for the offense and concern for the defense into 2016.
Tell me Lefty has to score more that 52 to win, I'd have said we were fucked. Tell me Lefty's gonna put up 55, I'd have said we were about to win it in a walk.
Bud has work to do. I think Lefty just got himself another gig somewhere with that performance. And Frank goes out a winner.
Not sure how any of it will carry over into next season, but for tonight, I'm just savoring the end of a legendary career.
I don't know, but winning was a lot better than losing. Especially sitting in the stands.