Hey Hokies....I thought this would be Fun:
Sept 3rd Vs. Liberty: Easy win, let's say 42-3
Sept 10 Vs. Tenn: Hokies lose by a squeaker, 24-23
Sept 17 Vs. BC: Hokies Win at Home, 31-10
Sept 24 Vs. ECU: Hokies Win, with revenge on Mind, 24-7
Oct 8th Vs. UNC, Hokies Lose a close one on the road, 31-27
Oct 15th Vs. Syracuse, Hokies dominate 42-7 to get the win
Oct 20th vs. Miami, tough win for Hokies on 4 day rest, 17-10 win
Oct 27th Vs. Pitt, something about Pitt, hokies lose 14-13
Nov 5th vs. Duke, Hokies win at Duke again 23-14
Nov 12th Vs. Georgia Tech, Hokies win 31-13
Nov 19th Vs. Notre Dame, away loss 35-20
Nov 26th Vs. Virginia, Fuente brings a dose of Jet sweeps for 45-0 victory
Bowl Game: Tax Slayer, VT defeats South Carolina 33-17
Overall: 9 Wins, 4 Losses
Stats Prediction:
Isaiah Ford 1,100 Yards Receiving, Cam Phillips 650 Yards Receiving, Bucky Hodges 500 Receiving
Travon MAC 1,200 Yards Rushing, Shai Mc 400 Yards Rushing, Marshawn 400 Yards Rushing, Sam 200 yards rushing
Comments
I'm not saying Sam's going to break the 1,000 mark or anything, but 200 yards on the season? C'mon man!!!
I think they forgot to add a few 0s
Liberty- W. We run up the score so much they completely disband their football program so no one ever has to play them again.
Tennessee- L. I think it'll be close, I think Bud can come up with something to shut down their passing game and force them to rely on Dobbs' legs and Hurd/Kamara BUT I think they have the talent to pull it out.
BC- W. Loeffler will bring a marginal improvement to the BC offense but it's not hard to improve from shit. That combined with their offseason losses on defense means we kill us some eagles.
ECU- W. Their stupidity in getting rid of McNiell and our desire for vengeance means we avoid losing to them 3 years in a row.
UNC- L. Trubisky is the real deal and we realistically had no reason other than it being Beamer's last home game to stick with them last year.
Syracuse- W. I know it's at the Carrier Dome and they had moments of decency last year (read: Clemson game) but I just don't see them being able to stick with us, even with their new coach.
Miami- L. I hate to say this, I really REALLY hate to say this, but I just don't see it. With the players they have, especially Kaaya, and Richt coming in, the U will be bak sooner rather than later.
Pitt- L. Because Pitt.
Duke- W. Even with their resurgence under Cutcliffe these have been close games outside of the 41-20 whopping in 2012. With our talent and Fuente's coaching I think we can win this one, although I won't stick my neck out enough to say it'll be easy.
GT- W. It's hard to imagine them not improving from their 3-9 finish last year but will it be enough? I haven't looked at their roster but I don't see it, even with Justin Thomas.
ND- L. Badly.
LOLUVA- W. Bronco is a better coach than Mike London but beyond that I don't see him having the same level of success at Zima University as he had at BYU.
Regular season: 7-5 (5-3 ACC), battling with Pitt for 3rd in the division behind UNC and Miami. We get pushed down to the Belk Bowl because ND gets one of the ACC's higher tiered slots.
This seems like a much more realistic prediction
Hey I'd be down for the Belk Bowl. At least it's pretty close!
I got Miami as a 7-win team.....with a win over FSU. Because, Miami.
SiriusXM's College Sports Nation did their camp tour from Knoxville yesterday, and I got the impression that there is actually some worry about UT's WRs. At this point in the year I know nothing about UT, but that was just the impression I got listening to them.
It's not really the WRs, it's more of a passing game issue. We've got crazy talent at WR and Dobbs is at least an average passer. It's the style of offense Butch runs, it stinks, but it is what it is.
As for the game, it will be a sloppy game because of the atmosphere. No one has ever been through this type of game. Will be fairly close for a little bit, but Tennessee will pull away by just pounding the rock, and win by 2-3 scores
Tennessee isn't going to "pound the rock" when they're in a hole. VT is going to take a 2 score lead into half time and force Dobbs to beat Bud's defense with his arm. It's not going to be a pretty game for your vols
:p
He's telling the truth, MoD.
Sam 200 yards rushing
What about the other 11-12 games?
I feel like virtually everything you said is obtainable and could easily be a reality, except for Shai. I think Reid or Sam is going to be the 2nd string, well the Thunder to the Lightning. But outside of the spring game we don't have much can of an idea what Fuente & Co. are gonna do, it's an exciting time that's for sure.
If we only lose 2 games in conference, you're gonna have to add another game to the schedule.
I doubt it. The Coastal is steadily improving and I don't see the division champ having more than 2 conference losses. We could conceivably have the same conf. record as the eventual champ but lose to them head-to-head
Sept 3rd Vs. Liberty: W - Fuente's debut game will be unimpressive to the casual fans. We win a somewhat sloppy game 34-6
Sept 10 Vs. Tenn: L - Fuente isn't likely to get his signature win in game 2. VT shows up in a big way and takes a half-time lead into the locker room but the talent and depth at Tenn takes over in the second half and they win 38-27
Sept 17 Vs. BC: W - This is much closer than anyone wants to believe but we eek one out at home 20-13
Sept 24 Vs. ECU: W - With the head-scratching coaching change ECU struggles in their first year under Scottie Montgomery and the Hokies cruise to a 35-17 win at home
Oct 8th Vs. UNC: L - Fuente's first true road game lives up to the billing as his offense starts to come together but it just isn't quite enough to topple a very potent UNC team and they win 45-42
Oct 15th Vs. Syracuse: W - Syracuse has a much improved offense under first year coach Dino Babers but the Hokies' talent and improving defense is too much for the orange and VT wins comfortably 41-24
Oct 20th vs. Miami: W - This is Evans' breakout game. Everybody is down on the Hokies and Miami is looking dangerous but the magic of Lane on a Thursday night is just enough to push the Hokies over the top in an instant classic. VT takes it 35-34
Oct 27th Vs. Pitt: W - The curse is no more. Pitt plays a very close game and it's frustrating to watch for Hokies fans everywhere but the Hokies are just playing on a higher level than we're used to and win on the road in a pivotal Coastal match-up 28-20
Nov 5th vs. Duke: W - VT is clicking and has more talent. Duke can't keep up and suffers one of their worst defeats of the season as the Hokies trounce them 45-10
Nov 12th Vs. Georgia Tech: L - Paul Johnson's offense does enough to eat up clock and confuse our linebackers. VT inexplicably doesn't show up offensively and suffers a heartbreaking loss in OT 27-24
Nov 19th Vs. Notre Dame: L - The Hokies have a hangover loss from GT. They come out flat against ND who jumps out to an early lead before VT settles in and fights back over the course of the game to make it closer than it was. ND hangs on to win 31-27
Nov 26th Vs. Virginia: W - This is the most important game for Fuente NOT TO LOSE in his first season. He has the team fired up and itching to put a beat-down on LOLUVA after the hell week they had following the ND debacle. The Hokies jump all over the L-hoos-ers and curb-stomp them 56-17
Bowl Game: Belk Bowl vs aTm. Hokies win a shoot-out 48-45
Overall: 9 Wins, 4 Losses
How do you have a 28-24 score in OT?
good catch. I added the PAT automatically. I'll fix it.
GT will be much better this year.
I'm not sure what you mean. Like, much better than beating us by 3? Are you agreeing with me that you think they'll win? Are you suggesting that they will be much better than last year, but still suck? I'm not sure what you're getting at.
Most people are underselling GT. They had a lot of injuries last year and their TO margin fell off a cliff on both sides of the ball. With Thomas returning, I think that is around an 8 win team.
I think you have them well judged.
thank you for clarifying
I was high on GT last year. I thought with Justin Thomas was going to be the answer that took them to the ACCCG but man did they tank. GT last year was probably the worst win differential between predicted and actual that I've ever made.
Their success the year before was propped up by a huge takeaway advantage by a not-that-great defense. We would have beat them if Brewer didn't throw .....what...2? costly picks in the 4th QTR.
That normed last year and they had a ton of injuries and fell apart. I wouldn't be surprised if they regroup with a vengeance this year. Still not good at WR, but that's my sleeper pick to win the division. I could see them at Halloween at 7-1, with wins over Miami and Pitt and a loss to Clemson with UNC/VT/UVA/UGA left.
I'm not sure how Pitt is going to score, very limited without Boyd. UNC was really fortunate on defense last year, I expect they will norm some this year. There is a chance that Kaaya makes Miami consistent, but I'll buy that when I see it (7 win team, at least one huge win). UVA will be better prepared and disciplined, but they have some significant talent deficiencies at this point. Even with Sirk, I'm not sure how Duke passes the ball, but if he's out the year, that's the worst team in the division.
See "Connor, James"
I agree with all of this. My hope is that this year we have an offense that can force the hand of Miami, GT and Pitt, like UNC did. If you got up on them by two scores it changed the way they played. May be optimistic for this year, but I just don't see either side of the ball being worse if we stay healthy.
I just don't see it. I think we'll be improved but its going to be a full season before you're going to see it all start to come together. I don't think we're going to have an offense that has the ability to truly dictate the game until 2017 at the earliest. Its asking too much to expect that to happen this year.
Really depends on Evans. Based on what I saw in the spring you are probably right, but he had to learn fast. Good off season, summer, and it could happen.
Nah, that's Loeffler talk. Good OCs don't need that much time. We will be in the top half of ACC offenses this year with an outside shot at being 4th behind UNC/Clem/FSU.
See I really don't like this line of thinking. I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic but if you're serious I think you're way off base with this comment.
More often than not, an offensive coaching staff (even a good one) needs time to get things right. Fuente, who has a proven track record, has even said himself that it takes time and fans shouldn't expect a high flying offense in year one. Look at Memphis. They weren't very good for their first two years. It wasn't until YEAR 3 that they started playing good offensive football. The conventional wisdom says that VT shouldn't take as long because we have more talent but I still think it's asking too much to have a top 50 offense in year 1. Year 2 would be the more realistic expectation for that IMO.
This has nothing to do with Loeffler. He had 3 years and we progressed very very little during his time. I do expect our offense to improve by larger increments under Cornelsen/Fuente but I'm not expecting us to blow anyone out of the water in year 1. Especially considering we don't even have a QB1 yet. You're insane if you think we could be in the neighborhood of UNC/Clemson/FSU this year.
I agree with your overall premise, but:
This is a bad comparison. When Fuente was hired there, he had something like 50 scholarship football players on the roster and those kids hadn't been winning games for years. He had to recruit, rebuild, and completely overhaul that program. He walked into VT with a full roster of some very high-quality kids. I agree that 2017 is when my expectations will rise, though. This year, offensive improvement is just a bonus.
Thanks, I didn't even have to jump in on that Memphis comp. If
half3/4 of our offense gets kicked out of school in the next three weeks, that would be comparable.We have a ton of offensive talent. We have a talented HC and OC. And I'm not asking for the moon to say we should be in the top half of the ACC. We were 6th last year in scoring. We were 8th in total offense. We don't play Clemson, FSU, Louisville or NCSU (4 of the top 5 ACC defenses last year).
By default we are 9th this year -- we should have a better offense than BC, SU (first year, no talent), Wake, Pitt and UVA. So can we be better than GT? NCSU without Brissett? Louisville? Miami? Duke? It's not crazy to expect we should be better than 3 of those teams with a reasonable chance to be the best of that group considering everything we return on offense.
Elite Offenses: UNC, Clemson, FSU
Pretty Good Offense: Miami, Louisville
Question Marks: GT, NCSU, Duke
Better be good at defense: Pitt (new OC), Wake, UVA
Loeffler: BC
Wait until next year: Syracuse
Where would you slot VT in that tiered system?
I do like the three-year evaluation plan. I think there is a precedent for it. Just as an example, when Saban took over Alabama, his first three years were:
7-6
12-2, went undefeated in the regular season then lost to UF in the SECCG and Utah in the Sugar
14-0, Natty
Since then, they've been off and running. It took Saban three years to make Alabama his program, then had a year where they stepped back a little (10-3), and they've been the powerhouse we now know.
I still look at 5 years to fully evaluate how the program is running, it's the rare case that there's a Larry Coker-type story.
You can't compare the starting point at Memphis to Fuente's situation here. The talent differential is night and day. Fuente is walking into the most experienced OL we have had since 2011, first round draft-caliber talents in Ford and Hodges, a human Swiss Army knife and veteran leader in Sam Rogers, and a 1,000 yard rusher and plenty of other good depth at RB. The missing ingredient is simply solid QB play which can minimize turnovers. Not expecting us to be top 15-20, but anything less than significant improvement from last year's mess will be disappointing. I wouldn't be surprised to see us top 50 this year.
You and VTGM both short-changed me here. If you continue on in my post you'll notice that I recognize the fact VT and Memphis are not the exact same.
The point I was trying to make wasn't that Memphis took 3 years so VT should take 3 years. My point is that Fuente told the media that it would take time to install his offense. One of the first things he said when he was announced was that fans need to be patient. He knows that he's not going to field the same caliber offense that he had at Memphis in 2014 in year 1 at VT. He will have VT's year one offense looking better than Memphis' year 1 offense, no doubt, but it will take time to get to where he thinks it can be. He doesn't have the track record of a miracle worker (like Tom Herman) so I don't expect him to come in and turn this offense into a dominant scoring machine in year one. But in a year or two this offense has the potential to be top-20 IMO
Memphis was #13 in FEI last year, nobody is expecting that this year.
My metric, which started this discussion, was top half, maybe top 4. Top half in the ACC would have been 74th in FEI, between UVA and Duke. FSU was #27 at 3rd place in the ACC, Pitt was #37 at 4th place.
To be top 75 in FEI most certainly should be our expectations with this offensive talent. To be top 35 is probably our ceiling, but attainable.
I don't think you're being pessimistic, but I do think that
it is always better to under-sell and over-deliver. We might have a 2011 Clemson offensive turnaround (unlikely, but not impossible, similar(ish) situation) but I doubt Chad Morris was promising the end result of that offense before the season started. Realistically, we have a better offense than last year, but it could take a few years to have the offense completely up to Fuente's preferred speed (mentally and systematically, not pace of play)
right
I'm not sure that Top 50 is out of the question this year. We were 74th last year according to http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/2016/team/21/p2
I think our ceiling this year is still a lot lower than it should be in another year or two, though.
Yeah, we'll be a lot better next year than this.
But it shouldn't be the shit-show we had to stomach the last three years either.
You're saying Evans is going to have a game like this on Thursday night against Miami? LT3 played great this game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pb3VsLRvw8
yeah...
?
Yea, I was at the last home Thu night game against the U. It wasn't pretty. There sure wasn't any "magic".
Prove me wrong, Hokies!
Am I alone in thinking we're going to beat Tennessee? I'm just not that impressed with them yet. Yes, their recruiting has been better, but outside of last year, they've been just as bad as us or worse on the field for the last few years. I certainly understand staying modest and having realistic expectations, and maybe I'm just being stubborn, but I'm not afraid of a 9-4 SEC East team who's had one good year out of the last ten or so.
Last year, Tennessee lost (close games) to: Oklahoma, Florida (again), Arkansas, and Alabama. I'll admit those are quality losses, if such a thing exists.
But their best win came against Georgia in a game where Nick Chubb got hurt on the Dawgs' first play from scrimmage, and Greyson Lambert almost led Georgia to a road win in Knoxville. Other than that, they beat Bowling Green, Western Carolina, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Texas, Missouri, and Vanderbilt. All of those teams are bad. And then of course they blew out Northwestern in the Outback Bowl, and I have to give credit where credit is due -- a blowout in any New Year's Day bowl is pretty impressive.
During the last ten years, we've had early season marquee matchups with LSU, Alabama twice, Boise State, and Ohio State twice. And I genuinely believe we have a better shot going into the Battle at Bristol than we had in all of those games except Boise.
I don't think Tennessee is that good but they are talented and, in particular, they have exceptional athletes on offense with two stud running-backs and a pretty versatile QB. For the second game of the year I'm expecting some mistakes on both sides of the ball. Bud is tweaking the defense which may lead to some mental lapses early in the season. Obviously our entire offense is new and we have a brand new starting QB with very limited experience. I think it would be awesome if VT won the game but the cards are stacked heavily against us and I think it's foolish to expect to win that game given what we know (or don't know)
My wife went to Tennessee, so I've been following them for a good 5 years or so. They are a good team and have been building up to have a great season this fall.
They lost 4 games last year, and three of those losses were very close and easily could have been wins. @Bama was close, they lost in OT to Oklahoma, and choked against Florida. The only loss where they really played poorly was to Arkansas. So two of the losses were close games to teams that made the playoffs. They have also been a very young team over the last couple of years and that youth now has experience.
Dobbs is a good QB and mobile QBs have given us problems over the years. Hurd is a HECK of a back and is in the mold of Conner at Pitt. We know how good Conner is. UT's backup RB is also very good and would probably be a starter on most teams. He is QUICK.
UT has a very good DL and LBs. I do not know much about their secondary.
I'm not saying that we will get blown out of the water, but I think UT is a very good team and I think they'll place for the SEC championship this year. Anything less would be a failure.
I think we have a chance for the upset if we can stop the run game and force Dobbs into 3rd and long. That will be the key in my opinion.
One thing going for us is that we have a new offense and there will be one game's worth of film of our offense for UT to prepare. I'm sure Bud will also do some things on defense with the new coaches providing some tweaks.
Thank you Eddie, this is the kind of nuanced look at them I was expecting. Tenn is a good team that has been working back to relevance for a few years and if they continue to get a little better this year then the sky is the limit for them in the SEC East. Depending on the quality and experience of their OL, we could be in business (see: OSU at BuckeyeTown). I'm hoping for a close game and victory but we are definitely the underdog going into this game.
We are the underdog and we should be. We haven't been good lately. I'm not saying I would bet on us to win, but it seems to me that the same people who went to the Georgia Dome saying we were going to #BeatBama are now of the mindset that Tennessee is in a different league than us, and that doesn't make sense.
That's something new and different. /s
Not alone.
I gotta ask, did you watch them at all last year? Because I did a few games and they are a good team. So much talent, with even more joining the depth chart this season. They will be the favorites to win their division, and before anyone says that it is the weaker SEC division, look at ours. Just as, but probably even weaker and we sure as hell aren't close to being the favorites to win it.
Their QB is gonna really really cause us problems. And their running back is also top tier.
Yes. OU, Florida, Arkansas, Bama, and Georgia. I didn't say they're not a good team. I just don't think they're so good that we go into it thinking we can only win if every ball bounces our way. If we think we belong on the same field as Bama and OSU, we most definitely belong on the same field as Tennessee.
You guys are obviously welcome to buy into the hype if you'd like. Personally, I'll believe it when I see it.
We deserve to be on the same field.
I just don't think you can look at last year and think it will be the same team as last year. They lost very few players and the good recruiting classes that Butch has signed have more experience.
I agree with all of that. But we also shouldn't expect the same Virginia Tech team as last year. For better or for worse, who knows. And as was mentioned above, it'll be the second game of the season, meaning there will be some dumb mistakes, which I believe will (hopefully) play in our favor. I think the early season rustiness can decrease the talent gap that might otherwise be more visible by the end of the season.
Understood. I never said that we would be the same team this year. We SHOULD be better.
It just seems like a lot of fans look at their record last year and think "we can beat them" without knowing too much about the team.
Personally, I think we have a 20-30% chance of beating Tennessee.
Well, you are using a lot of phrases that don't have a quantifiable meaning. "Belong on the same field" with OSU and Bama, what does that mean? I think they are much better than us and would only give us a slim chance of beating them. I think we have a better chance at Tenn for sure, but only like a 30% chance. I'm not saying that there isn't a chance that we win, but I'm just saying my prediction.
Do you really not know what that means? And why does it have to be quantifiable? It's an opinion. In my opinion, we have a pretty good shot against Tennessee. We "belong on the same field," if you will.
Also just my opinion, but sometimes optimism seems to be discouraged on here. If anybody ever suggests we might actually be good at football, someone almost always has to give them a reality check. As if we aren't all aware of our shortcomings as a football team the past four years.
And I'm not saying I haven't been guilty of the pessimism. I have. But we're all fans and sometimes it seems like we think our mindset actually matters (like how the mindset of the coaches and players actually does matter). Like, if we go into this game with too much confidence, we have no chance. Obviously, we all know we can't affect the game, so why can't we have fun with it and let ourselves get a little excited about the possibilities that come with a new season, a new coach, and a fresh 0-0 record?
Disclaimer: This rant isn't directed toward anyone in particular, or because of the comments above. I've just noticed for a while now that positive outlooks often get shot down as if it was naive to even think we might not suck again this year.
Well, I predicted an 8-4 record, which is on the optimistic side if you ask me. And I'm questioning what you mean when you seem hesitant to say we don't belong on the same field as Bama and OSU. Because I think we get blown out in that game 9/10.
Now even I'm not sure what you mean by not belonging on the same field as OSU or Bama. We've played both in the last three seasons and didn't get blown out in any of those games.
I suppose you could call the 35-10 loss to Alabama a blowout if you really want to, but I considered those two return TD's to be the fluke there.
Either way, we haven't been getting blown out by playoff teams during our drought thus far. I think we might have even won one of those...
They were not flukes. We of all people should know that planning and practice goes into special teams. We had a lot of youth and inexperience on the special teams unit, Beamer even said that going into the season, so that was just a result of Bama being better in that facet.
I thought we were talking about the teams this season, not previous iterations that we have played. Next season I expect Bama to be dominant again. OSU should probably win the BIG10 again. We aren't even predicted to win one of the easiest divisions in college football.
I don't disagree that the Coastal is one of the easier divisions in CFB. It has been for a few years now. But I do think that is starting to change. I believe that in 2 or 3 years the Coastal will be one of the top 5 toughest divisions in football.
The homer in me is expecting Fuente to have VT playing at or near an elite level by then. Mark Richt should have Miami humming. I don't see Larry Fedora going backwards at UNC any time soon. UVA, unfortunately, isn't going to be a pushover any longer under Mendenhall. I think Pitt is going to be an above .500 team very consistently. GT is never easy to play against. Cutcliffe always gets way more out of his Blue Devils than he should. Before you know it, the Coastal division could be very scary top-to-bottom. We may not have any teams like OSU or Alabama but it will certainly have a bunch of really good football teams that nobody will want to see on their schedule.
That's good and all, but I'm talking about it being an easy division now, how good it is in 3 years doesn't factor into what I was saying.
I wasn't trying to be combative...just seemed like a good place to carry on my thought that this league is going to improve. I really don't have a dog in this hypothetical fight. I just wanted to expand on the fact that the Coastal Division is down now but I believe it is on the rise.
I definitely think that VT will be competitive again within 3 years. I think Miami will get there a year earlier than us with Richt. Really depends on if UNC can keep up their success. Not much hope in UVA or Duke honestly.
I was going by your question of whether we'd watched them last year.
Well last season is the best indicator of next season's team, not 3 season's ago.
Which doesn't change my point that we belonged on the field with OSU last year. If you want to say we didn't belong three years ago, that's the only one I'd reasonably agree with.
But my point was using last year to predict next year. And OSU finished the year a much better team than VT. I would still give us like a 10% chance of beating OSU if we played this season. Worse than Tenn though.
If by easiest division you mean we don't have to beat a likely playoff team, that includes half the divisions in the B5. If by loaded with cupcakes, you are mistaken. Stack us up 1-7 with other divisions and start picking winners. I do not consider Bama getting blown out, even though we were blown out in special teams. Losing the revenge part of the LSU home-away was a blow-out. We have shown we can punch with the big boys, but have lost a few more than we've won. We have a real chance against anybody, but need a couple breaks to make it happen. We got them vs OSU first time, they got them the second, like Bama got them on special teams.
Why are you referencing a VT team from ten years ago? I'm talking about the team now, not making a sweeping generalization about VT's history.
And the Coastal is consistently rated as one of the worst in college football.
Last year the Coastal was 4-8 against other Power 5 opponents and 0-3 against Notre Dame. And the wins were against Illinois, Purdue, Nebraska, and Indiana. Not exactly a lot of good wins there.
It is just not a good division comparatively.
What make you think I was referencing 10 years ago instead of this?
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/10/28/9630824/sec-west-sec-east-division-rankings-advanced-stats
I asked an honest question on your meaning of worst. At least you answered with a stat, though obviously not one some experts agree with.
Well I said one of the easiest divisions. And that our division was as bad or worse than the SEC east. Which based on the stat that you provided shows that they are pretty close at the bottom of the barrel.
^this right here is why I mostly keep my posts non-serious. I tend towards unrepentant homerism and would rather not be shouted down.
Tennessee isn't in the same tier as USC, OSU or Bama games we've had to start the year in the past.
Good team, but we can beat them. I think it's a one-score game
We will win BOTH the Tenn AND ND games.
I am a little confused. Yeah, UT is improving and they are the media darling this year. Everyone is jumping on their bandwagon. Why are so many predicting us to lose in Bristol?
The hype train for OSU was phenomenal and we went in and thumped them at Columbus. Then played a strong second game after they had won a national championship.
We can beat them. Period. After you experience the Vol fan base, you'll despise them, forever. This is a winnable game and a must win for the Hokies living in the area.
Wife went to UT and have met a bunch of UT fans. I have never had any problems...maybe that was because I wasn't the opposition.
I've had a great time in Knoxville and the fans that I've met have been great.
Wife grew up in Knoxville, 4/7 of her family went to UT. Hung out with them and their friends. Not bad people but very similar to Miami fans: inflated sense of football superiority, alumni aren't too bad to be around, non-alumni fan base living around the school bring the average way way down.
I have lived in this area my whole life. I've met, lived around, and worked with more UT fans than any other team by a large margin. There are some decent ones. Obnoxious and delusional are the terms I associate with them most.
To add, most reasonable Tennessee fans that I know aren't buying the hype either. They are in this weird, "I know we should be good but we aren't" place. The reasonable fans I know love the VT match-up, but are nervous about Bud having time to prep and the unknown with the new offense.
They love the recruiting, but can't understand why Butch Jones hasn't done a better job on the field. FWIW
My supervisor thinks we'll lose to UT by 3 TDs. I hear this every single day.
I mean he hasn't done a bad job, I don't think. The year before he arrived they were 5-7. The next three years they've gone 5-7, 7-6, and 9-4. They've won two additional games each year. I don't think a reasonable person could be too disappointed in that.
I think you are 100% correct. However, I can tell you that most of the UT fans I know are not "buying the hype" just yet.
I think UT fans are cautiously optimistic. They want to believe that they'll be a great team this year, but their previous seasons make them hit the brakes a bit.
I was at a cookout last weekend with some good friends that are UT people. I was talking Battle of Bristol, UT, VT, and the upcoming season to a recent grad. I said that I think UT will play in the SEC Championship and he said "stop. I don't even know how to take that. You're scaring me". The last 5+ years have been pretty rough on them.
did you remind him that the SEC East is the garbage division of the SEC and they only really have to beat Florida and Georgia. Florida doesn't really offense and Georgia has a new coach. It's not unreasonable to think they could get to Atlanta
And there's the problem.
Personally this is what excites me about the UT-VT matchup....both teams have the chance to spark their season with a win. UT wins and they can say that they are on track for a legitimate shot at the SEC championship game. VT wins and Fuente gets his first big win at VT early on in his career and it also sets the tone for the rest of the season.
Both teams have a shot at a big win, I hope that both teams stay consistently good and we play more teams like UT-WVU-Texas etc. for our out of conference schedule and drop the cupcakes. Play games that mean something.
I'm going to have to disagree with parts of this. Certainly if VT wins, all the above comes true. But if UT wins, I don't believe it sparks their season and puts them on track for a legitimate shot at the SECCG. Sure it is a big-time match-up on the biggest stage in college football history, but this is much more UT's game to lose. VT will be a big underdog and in the eyes of UT, they are expecting to breeze by us. This goes for the media and talking heads as well. Someone stated earlier that VT's perception has been way down lately, due to the last couple seasons. Start winning and that changes quickly, but SEC will always have its bias and right now, we're just another mediocre mid-tier P5 program.
accurate
This. So much this.
I live in SEC and UT country, and trust me....there is NO buzz whatsoever about this game. Nothing on local sports radio. Nothing. The buzz is about UT and whether they can finally beat Florida. It is a foregone conclusion they will breeze by their first 3 opponents before Florida. That includes us.
It's painful. It sucks. But it's our current reality (edit: in terms of perception).
Hopefully we sneak up on them like we did in the Horseshoe.
I just hope the team takes us as lightly as the fans do
They will.
I predict 12-0 of 38-0... bro.
Leonard always comes through in the clutch
Liberty- W. Evans is a little slow getting started, and they play ball control to keep it close, we put in 3rd string in the 4th and give up points, 53-10.
Tennessee- W. We start out slow and give up the early TD (like freaking always), and the O' is missing a beat. We get it rolling near the end of the third, and come racing back in the fourth. They start to panic at the same time hey start to have to throw, and choke it away. 38-37
BC- L. Team is super high from Tenn and has no respect. They get after us early and its Evans turn to panic. 4 turnovers in a 14-17 loss.
ECU- W. We regroup and kick a$$ in second.
UNC- W. We prove their bowl game last year was not a fluke, they cannot stop the now clicking Offense. D holds them down but not out. 42-24
Syracuse- W. Almost another let down game, but we learn composure and come back in the second, 28-17
Miami- W. We don't beat them as much as they buy the hype and start their end of the season slide, teach Ricth what he was really hired for. 35-28
Pitt- W. We finally score enough points on Pitt to make them one dimensional, and it back fires on them. 35-17
Duke- W. Our talent advantage finally shows, thanks to the tempo. Very close first half, but where them down to coast, 51-28
GT- W. We give up one early, but go up 3 TDs at the end of the half. get up by the fourth in the third, and let them pick between burning to the clock on themselves or turning it over. They try some of each. 48-21
ND- L - great game. We are ranked and hyped, but grounded by BC loss. ND is in championship discussions dispute one loss. Huge game to put us back in the limelight. Low scoring first followed by a short-out in the second. They win by the luck of the Irish, backed by a Zebra. 45-42
LOLUVA- W. We regroup after loss and take out our frustrations 42-14
ACC Championship - close loss to FSU. They make two more big plays, and jump ball on 3rd and long and a big INT. Fans say Fu can't win the big game and call for a new coach.
NYD Bowl - Karma Win VT 46 - Michigan - 35
I predict losses to Tennessee, UNC, Miami, Pitt, and ND.
A bowl win gives us a sparkly 8-5 record that I am ecstatic about.
Just a quick summary of what I'd guess for this year:
Liberty - W
Tenn - L
BC - W
ECU - W
UNC - W
Syracuse - W
Miami - L
Pitt - L
Duke - W
GT - W
ND - L
LOLUVA - W
8-4 (6-2) with a trip to a bowl that we will win. The new offense will win us the games that we should have won last year, but not take us to dominating the Coastal yet. We might sneak into the ACCCG on a H2H tiebreak.
Wx12 or 13. However many games it takes to win the National Championship these days.
15
Sept 3rd Vs. Liberty: W - 52-3. Fuente starts both QBs, picks a starter for the following week.
Sept 10 Vs. Tenn: W - 24-21. Tennessee craps the bed early in the year, again. They only beat 1 team with a winning record down the stretch last year and have a tendency to start slow. Typical SEC overhyped team with good talent.
Sept 17 Vs. BC: W - 45- 7. Loeffler still can't win against a P5 team not named UVa in Lane.
Sept 24 Vs. ECU: W - 77-0. 'Cause they need to know their place. O is starting to click. Fuente remembers what it's like to have a D.
Oct 8th Vs. UNC: W - 17-10. Trubisky becomes Ekanem's and Mihota's tru-bitch-sky. 10 sacks by the D line. Everyone finally realizes that Trubisky racking up big stats in mop up time of blow outs doesn't make him awesome.
Oct 15th Vs. Syracuse: W - 41-24 Donovan don't play there no mo.
Oct 20th vs. Miami: W - 31-24 "Oh my god, they killed Kenny!" becomes "Oh my god, they killed Kaaya!"
Oct 27th Vs. Pitt: W - 35-13 Matchup of tough Ds. They still haven't figured out how to stop misdirection.
Nov 5th vs. Duke: W - 49-10. Not having Sirk makes a difference.
Nov 12th Vs. Georgia Tech: W - 27 - 20. Settle. Just Settle.
Nov 19th Vs. Notre Dame: L - 27-21 (OT). We outplay them in every phase of the game. Ron Cherry calls a mystery TD on a dropped pass again this season to help ND remain undefeated.
Nov 26th Vs. Virginia: W - See Liberty. Welcome to the Terror Dome, Bronco.
Dec 3 vs Clemson -ACC Championship Game: L - 45-42 Dabo makes the Playoffs again.
I won't predict a bowl, since the system is so jacked up we could be anywhere from Miami to Annapolis.
Overall: 11 Wins, 2 Losses
I refuse to ever predict a loss to Clemson, ever ever ever. Other than that, I can vibe.
Might seem crazy, but I'm more in agreement with your assessment. I don't think as many of these will be so lopsided in our favor, but I think we get some serious revenge on the Coastal division this year.
Tennessee will be a tough match up, and I will in no way be disappointed if we lose a hard fought game. But, I think the hype on them has gotten a bit out of control. Talented, yes - but not Bama or OSU elite. I expect this game to be an absolute grinder, and I just have a feeling we are going to sneak out of there with the W. Fuente knows the magnitude of this game and recognizes what a huge statement for VT a win in Bristol would be. I imagine the new staff has had this one in their sights since they came onboard.
Definitely see a loss or two in there somewhere, but I think this team has the potential for a breakout year IF we get solid QB play. I also agree that we absolutely throttle UVa at home this year. A lot of stars have to align, but would love to see us have a statement year and get to 10-11 wins.
I see the .gif but I'm having trouble with the text.
There's text in that gif?
Liberty - W
Tenn - L
BC - W
ECU - W
UNC - L
Syracuse - W
Miami - L
Pitt - L
Duke - W
GT - L
ND - L
LOLUVA - W
6-6 - There will be one game in there that we unexpectedly lose, which is to be expected with a new coaching staff. If we drop one of those early ones against BC or ECU, we're in trouble in regards to making a bowl.
And finally there's a realist. The truth is we have a very tough schedule and will probably end up with a less than satisfying record again. I just hope people give Fuente some time to bring in his guys. Yes we're starting with more talent than most new coaches get, but we also don't have much depth.
Agree with your predictions, except I think we take a JMU type hangover loss to BC, and beat GT down the stretch.
Liberty - W - Don't think it will be the blowout that we hope it will be. Fuente will keep it close to the vest and it will be a painfully boring game. I see a 27-6 type of game in our future.
Tenn - L - I think we ride the emotion early and are with them through 3 quarters if not ahead but do something that a young team will do in the 4th to lose it. 34-27 feels right.
BC - W - We are due to beat the pants off someone. This one is it. 37-3.
ECU - W - Setting the tone for our next 19 games with these bastards. 41-14
UNC - W - We always play the Heels close and I think we squeak one out at their house. High scoring game and possibly going into OT. 41-38
Syracuse - W - Boring game. 27-10
Miami - W - Miami gets pummeled by injuries in the 2 weeks leading up to the Thursday night game, comes limping into Bburg and gets a dose of pain circa 2003. 31-7.
Pitt - L - I hate Pitt more than I hate ECU. This game will take 4 years off my life. 14-13
Duke - W - Toss up but I will go with a W here. Close game. 35-33.
GT - W - Paul Johnson is a piece of shit. 35-21.
ND - L - Not sure I've seen enough of ND to call this one but I think the energy in this game is wild. High scoring game. 38-35.
UVA - W - Don't see the streak ending anytime soon. Part of me wants to say 38-0 but we always seem to win by a score or so. 31-24.
9-3 is a win in my book. Onward and upward. Go Hokies.
I don't see how we possibly only put up 27 against Liberty. I watched our Bowl game vs Tulsa yesterday and they thing that stood out to me was how great we were at blocking their inferior talent. It will be an even worse discrepancy vs Liberty and the points just come with that. A screen and run here and there can go for a touchdown and 6 points. 27 points would be quite disappointing, because it would mean we have a long way to go if we want to even stay on the field with Tenn in the next game considering the talent levels almost reverse.
I think we will certainly be capable of putting up many more but I think we will play beyond vanilla in that game and I think we will play a lot of players to finish evaluations. my guess is that most of the first string will be sitting before halftime.
If we played starters all 4 quarters and actually ran our wide open play book, I absolutely agree with your views, but there's no way that we do.
That's what I'm saying though. Vanilla is just fine for a team like Liberty. The oline will dominate than to the point that running the ball should start to yield chunks of yardage that we would have to actively try to not score to only score 27 points.
Maybe you're right. I suppose I am still stuck in the Beamer-era mindset. I can think of a few games where we should/could have scored 60 and only scored 25-30 because we were doing just that, actively trying not to score. I hope Fuente doesn't hold back and lets our team stretch their legs.
Memphis opened up with Missouri State last year. They scored 42 in the first half and tacked on another 3 touchdowns in the second half with the backup QB in. They opened up with Austin Peay in 2014 and won 63 - 0.
I'm with you and would get frustrated that prior Hokie teams would suck the air out of the ball and lose their edge. It made sitting in those stands for the second half extremely boring and sucked all excitement out of the crowd. It appears Fuente lets the backups come in and keep playing hard to get them some game experience beyond running three times and punting.
Liberty is a perennially strong FCS program, they are not total pushovers like some FCS schools. Plus, we are their marquee game this year, so I expect their best punch. I would not be surprised to see them score first or even have a lead at the end of the first quarter. I do expect us to dominate them in the end with talent, but we are fielding a brand-new offensive scheme, and we don't want to unwrap too many plays to show Tennessee our offensive play-calling. I am looking for a result somewhere around 34-13 in the end.
Sounds like the Tennessee bowl game. 14 points first half, Vols didn't score again. VT didn't allow a second half point the final 5 games of the season that year.
I worry about Liberty too - I'm from Lynchburg and this is their Super Bowl. They've been dying to play VT. With that being said they aren't that strong of an FCS program. They were awful last year with a QB who signed an NFL deal. Don't see them leading at any point other than the first 10 minutes of regulation.
I seem to be the only one worried about BC. Huge trap game for us, coming out of a huge spectacle game against a top opponent to play the worst team in the conference. Huge game for Lefty. I picture him spending an hour almost every night since being hired cackling softly to himself in the glow of a single lamp plotting revenge. He may not have been a top OC, but he has more inside knowledge of and practice against our defense than any other OC. It not like we often blow BC out anyway. This is type of loss that seems to break stuff around the house every year, or at least make want to, and create huge holes in my memory. Please tell me I am overly bracing for the worst, and this is in no way possible.
The only thing BC had last year was a very good defense, but their DC (Don Brown) is now the DC at Michigan. The new guy (Jim Reid former UVa DC 2010-2012) is a downgrade that runs a different scheme. Their offense was putrid. Now they have to learn a new, overly complicated system on that side of the ball and they do not have the talent we had when Loeffler was here. Addazio is building something, but it is going to take a long time.
For Reference:
2010: VT beat UVA 37-7
2011: VT beat UVA 38-0 (bro)
2012: VT beat UVA 17-14
Granted our offense was much better then than it is now, but we didn't seem to have much of an issue with Reid's defense. I think our offense now it probably about the same as it was in 2012.
Trap game? Since when have we ever had to worry about a trap game? /s
After thinking about this more, I tend to believe it. We can beat UT, then we have back-to-back home games with BC and ECU. These teams have been major trouble for us the last few years. Lefty's Revenge and Pirates!
We could easily be 2-2 with 2 home losses. Sounds rough but I could see a letdown or injury bug creep in after a big Bristol win.
Notre Dame is overrated every year...so why would this year be any different. Hokies are going to get the win in South Bend.
Even an overrated ND team next year will be rated properly higher than VT.
So far half of my initial comment is correct. Let's hope the other half rings true.
I went to games at TamU, Nebrask, and aOSU . . . all wins. I'm headed to South Bend . . . we win this one.
Does your magic work for neutral site games?
If so, let's get this man a ticket to Bristol!!!
And while we're at it, FedEx.
2-1 at neutral sites. Wins against Texass and 'bama (Music City), loss to 'burn (Sugar). My home record has got to be pretty decent. I can remember L's against BC in '95 (catch the ball White!), and Syracuse in '01, otherwise all wins I think including LSU, Miami in '99, Pitt '00, plus two directional schools since graduating in '96 (I missed our last shutout against Cincy . . . too rainy).
Wow such low scores.
I like the predictions but you've got a Beamer Offense still playing. the 28 points a game average is right where Beamer would be this year, but now on to Fuente. In 2015 Memphis averaged 40 points a game and 2014 it was 36 points a game
On to the Tennessee game, TN was averaging 35 points last year and put up 45 points on a Top Northwestern Defense
Tennessee will come down to a few top plays in a high scoring game. I look forward to Cameron Sutton vs Isiah Ford. A battle in the spotlight neither Top player wants to lose.
Liberty - W. 41-7. We won't show a whole lot in this game so I don't think we run away with it. The talent level will be the difference and we win comfortably.
Tenn - L. 28-17. I think UT is going to be really good this year (see above).
BC - W. 28-10
ECU - W. 28-14. I see ECU scoring early and then Bud adjusts.
UNC - L. I think we play UNC close, but lose 31-28
Syracuse - W. 35-14
Miami - W. Thurs night. 28-24
Pitt - W. It will be close. I think our new offense will offer more of a challenge against Pitt's defense. 24-17
Duke - W. 28-10
GT - W. DL will be good and I think Motu plays well against the option. 27-10
ND - L. I don't like Brian Kelly but he is a heck of a coach. I think we lose by double digits. 27-14
UVA - W. 35-10
Overall: 9-3
Liberty - W. 45-7 : They won't be able to stop the run against what I really think will be our best OLine in a long time, led by an ALL-ACC guard in Teller.
Tenn - L. 34-20 : I've voiced my opinion on this game a few times. I think Tenn will go to the SEC championship game next year and we just won't have it together that early in the season.
BC - W. 28-13 : Still don't believe in their offense, especially now that Lefty is there. Defense will take a step back due to some losses, especially that one linebacker, can't remember his name.
ECU - W. 31-21 : Why did they make those coaching changes? Beats me, but they had a great thing going on there that I'm happy to see broken up. Will Summers catch us by surprises again and make us look like a touch football team again? I don't think so.
UNC - L. 35-28 : I actually believe in UNC this year. Normally, they are the model of an over hyped team that doesn't meet expectations but we haven't seen a UNC team that good in awhile. Almost beat Clemson in one of the most exciting games of last year. We put some points up to stay close, but they are just better.
Cuse - W. 35-20 : Honestly don't know much about Cuse, are we sure they are even in the ACC? No matter, I know I like their uniforms, and they have a nice QB. Not enough though.
Da U - L. 38-35 : Same result as our last Thursday night game in Lane, but the humiliating defeat that I have impressively suppressed from memory. Kaaya is a stud, second best QB in the ACC, and will lead da U to, yes I'm being serious, their first ever division title and a chance to play FSU for the conference.
Pitt - W. 24-20 : The team proves their mettle after a tough loss to Miami by beating the team that seemingly has us by the goolies each year. I'm really looking forward to seeing James Conner in this game. Battled cancer and now is about to play D1 football? Man, what an inspiration. Hope he has a great comeback year, just without the familiar pulverisation of our defense.
Duke - W. 41-21 : We finally break the 40 point mark and Duke finally comes back down to Earth after a stellar campaign of unexpected division success.
GT - W. 33-31 : Predicting GT's success is such a crapshoot that I made this my closest prediction. A classic in Bobby-Dodd for the ages. We pull out the win and go into our clash with ND a ranked team.
ND - L. 30-17 : Being ranked was fun while it lasted, but ND is a good team that will compete for a playoff berth and will not falter against VT this late in the season. A lower scoring game that expected by many, instead a hard fought defensive battle in the trenches.
UVA - W. 45- 17 : I predict UVA to be bad next year. Like very bad. The cupboard is pretty bare for them. Bronco hasn't had time to develop talent and recruit and they go winless in the ACC. Blanding is a standout that makes the ALL-AMERICAN team though. NFL teams are gonna fight over him in the first round.
Overall : 8-4
Probably a bit better than reality, but I do think we have an offense that is as talented as we have had in a long time. Only caveat is getting a QB in place. I think Evans will win the job and be a more dynamic playmaker than Brewer ever was. Ford continues to impress and makes an ALL-ACC first team as predicted. Teller does the same. Running backs will be more spread out than we probably want, but they produce at a high pace, with McMillian leading the pack. Defensively, Hill breaks out and becomes our most dynamic playmaker going forward.
The team puts up 32 PPG and the offense makes significantly more explosive plays.
The team gives up 24 PPG. Not great, but enough to show that we can still make plays on the defensive side.
I was thinking about it, and after Watson and Kaaya, are there any top-flight QBs in the ACC? Is it going to be a down year for that position?
*cough*evans*cough*
ehh.... Not sure he qualifies until he takes his first ACC snap
Yeah, Williams left UNC. FSU doesn't have a QB yet, although I expect that he will probably end up being quite good knowing the talent they pull.
Louisville! That's the other QB. Didn't think of him as we don't play them this season, but he is crazy explosive. Shades of Vick when he scrambles. Watch out for him next season.
I;ve heard the Cuse QB is pretty good, but have never actually watched him.
Liberty W : 54-10. Fuente will get a little happy and not dial it back fast enough. The last three td's will be a play action and a couple runs where liberty's defense is out of place. Bud rotates his front 4, but this defense looks nothing like what we will see vs Tennessee.
Tennessee W : 51-48, 3 OT thriller. This is out the window if Dobbs starts dropping bombs. The deep ball is his weakness, a couple sites say that's the difference between them winning the East or contending for a spot at the CFB playoff table. Fuent has shown an ability to confuse defenses, I look for Sam to be his bell cow. Carroll played this role at Memphis, he is a poor mans Sam Rogers. Our offense keeps their defense confused, their Offense breaks big plays. Our deep DT position is hailed as the game winner. Being able to drop big Timmy in a 5 man front stifles their 3rd and short game.
BC W: 17-14 we come out flat. It's 14-0 at the half, one TD is a pick 6, other is a fumble deep in our territory. Fuente gives an inspiring halftime speech, BC's offense goes back to old habits, a FG at the end of a long late drive wins it.
ECU W: 38-24. Vengeance. Not three in a row. Hype train is full steam ahead.
UNC L: 35-21. The score is closer than the game ever was. We gain a lot of yards but costly turnovers and missed field goals suck the wind out. Our defense gets out played.
SU W: 24- 14. Game is closer than the score. Team looks and plays flat, is this a trap game, or are they looking ahead.
Miami W: 30-21. Their defense get confused and starts over playing the ball. Fuente keeps them confused with the ground game, and our defense stays off the field. We have more than five players with more than five carries. Evans is 12-13 passing.
Pitt L: 24-21. It's Pitt. We lose when we shouldn't. It will be a heartbreaker, a fumble recovery or int late.
Duke L: 24-14. They play smart defense. We will lose back to back games somewhere.
GT W: 45-38. 500 yards rushing combined between the teams.
ND L: 34-21. We play well, they pull away late.
UVA W: 24-10. No way no how.
You can see your desire to do in-depth writeups wain as you get further down the list. :D
If this is just for fun then here we go...My wholly optimistic outlook for the regular season
Liberty: taking them to the woodshed, 52-6
Tenn: Hokies surprise College Football world and win 34-21
BC: Another trip to the woodshed, 35-3
ECU: Hokies demoralize ECU 45-10
UNC: Lower scoring than one would think, Overtime, 27-24 Hokies
Syracuse: Woodshed trip #4, 38-14
Miami: close game with Lane crazy on Thursday night, Hokies win in a thriller 31-28
Pitt: No curse this year, 24-14 Hokies
Duke: Cutcliffe coaches his butt off but not enough, Hokies 35-24
Georgia Tech: Hokies swim in PJ tears to the tune of 42-20
Notre Dame: Luck of the Irish? I think not, Hokies in OT 38-35
Virginia: Our last regular season trip to the woodshed, Hokies 49-0
12-0 going to play FSU in the ACC Championship game. I can dream can't I?
guy clearly gets it!
this was my first prediction...but I went the more pessimistic route for some reason...carry over from Monday I guess.
Liberty-Win. Flashes of a much improved offense, yet Fuente restricts the playbook preparing for UT. 44-6
UT-Loss. Playing a bend don't break defense keeps it to a 3 point deficit at half. UT pulls away in 2nd half. 34-21
BC-Win. We jump on them early. Their offense characteristically stalls. 37-10. Curse you Matt Ryan.
ECU-Win. No Ruffin, No win. Big 2nd half. 38-17
UNCheat-Win. We come in as 7.5 point underdogs. Evans shines on a big stage in a clutch moment. 27-24
Syracuse-Win. We remain focused on getting revenge for D. McNabb. 45-24
Da U-Win. Intensity mirrors that of 2011 game, as does the closeness. 34-31
Pitt-Loss. Trap game after high intensity vs da U, and deservedly so, Connor has himself a ball game. 24-20
Duke-Win. Cutliffe is an amazing coach, doesn't mean much in this game tho. 34-17
GT-Win. Hoping an official gets tackled and hits Paul Johnson at the knees. 24-6
ND-Loss. Honestly, I've never hated a team as much as I hate ND. I hate them more after the result. 34-24
UVA-Win. Actually I hate UVA more. 34-10
9-3 regular season...I'll take it.
I think this is the year that Bud does a revamp of the D_Line play and introduces a zone that the back 7 use to render QB's and Offensive Coordinators into mumbling, drooling, deer in the headlight, thumb sucking, basket cases. Everyone outside of Blacksburg is focusing on the new improved offense that CJF is bringing to town but the last two years have created a fire in one CBF who stayed on at Tech to fix that hot mess that still managed to be no worse than average. He has a pride in the lunch pail squad that runs deep and he will reestablish them as not just the best stop unit in the ACC but an elite defense that causes coaches outside the ACC Coastal to grimace if they see VT's name show up on their future schedule and those in the Coastal to routinely call their agents if they see an opening at another Power 5 conference. The days of giving up over 100 yards rushing to the opposition are over.... That said:
Liberty - Win in a closer than expected game. There is no room to run for the Flames but they pull out all the stops and try every gimmick play they can. Mis-communication on the backside gives up a couple easy long scores and Liberty goes in at halftime ebullient at being within striking distance. We clean up the mistakes and come out in the 2nd act to dominate. Final 42-17 as the offense keeps it pretty vanilla and the O-Line dominates on their side. Chatter among the ESPN talking heads is all about the tough game the Hokies will have next week with the Vols who destroy Appy State in their opener.
Tenn - Win in the first signature win of the new sherriff in town. The Vol offense that was so explosive last week, never found their rhythym, as the D_Line showed that they can fit the gaps and stop the run of a power/speed back like Hurd in the tradition of the Hokie Lines of old. Without the run to set up the pass, UT loses its deep ball efffectiveness as the new zone look picks off three (one for a TD) and the offense unleashes the uptempo game that wears the Volunteer Defense out and grinds them into the turf. By the end of the game (34-17) the announcers are falling all over themselves with praise for the new look Hokies.
BC - Win... Nothing fancy but a win none-the-less as I will be there in Blacksburg with a friend and my family to introduce them to the fully dipped Lane experience. The team is not sharp for the first half but fully engaged in the second and against this bunch, that is enough. Final score is 28-10.
ECU - Win. The Pirates are sent packing and the homecoming celebrations abound. They are held under 10 yards rushing for the first three quarters and only make it into triple digit offense yardage in the fourth quarter after Bud inserts the 3 and 4 string to get them some time on the field... final score 42-0 and the ECU AD begins to reevaluate that long term schedule prospect.
UNC - Win. E Hood comes into the game with over 700 yds rushing and looking to regain momentum at home after a tough road loss to the Criminoles. The Hokies spent their off week healing up and game planning for the tarheel defense that while better, is still susceptible to the run. With Hood held under 50 yds, it falls to Mitch to try and bring them a victory. He fails..... Final score (35-21)
Syracuse - Loss. Ugggh.... The Hokies find themselves back in the polls and the talk of the town. This team needs to learn how to deal with success and focus on each game one at a time. They take the Orange too lightly and in that Jiffy Pop dome find themselves down by 3 scores to start the 4th quarter. Evans has not faced this kind of adversity yet and while he battles back, he loses his battle with the clock. (35-38)... The ghost of McNadd is smiling down at the citrus troop as the students storm the field and climb the goal posts.
Miami - Win. The hurricanes come to town with their own 5-1 record after winning a tight one over the uNC goats in dramatic last second fashion. Kaaya looks like the real deal and the talk on the Thurs Night pregame focuses on the fact that he won his challenge in the previous week while Evans didn't. The demolition of Kaaya is total and Richt probably owes CJF a thank you because all talk of his QB departing early is ended on Worsham Field under the lights. Final (42-14).
Pitt - Win. Connor is having a triumphant return to football and gives the Hokies their biggest challenge while the Pitt defense has used its off week to really prep for this new Hokie threat. The game is a nail biter until Evans breaks it open in the 4th with a deep strike to Phillips and a 3rd and goal keeper for the winning margin (24-17).
Duke - Win. Duke assumes the role in the coastal of being the uVa of Welch's later years. They notch 7 wins that every one is satisfied with but never again get 1 against the Hokies. Final (38-24)
GT - Win. Some things change. The Hokie offense explodes on the Jacket defense. Some things don't. CBF's defense continues to dominate the chop blocking, misdirection running squad of Paul Johnson whose days are looking to be numbered. Final (49-10)
ND - Loss. An undefeated Golden Domer team hosts the surprising team of the season in their home finale. Every tough game of their season since their opener has been played in the friendly confines of South Bend where TD Jesus can keep and eye on them. The hype going into the game at a place like Notre Dame proves too much for the Hokies and they lose a tough fight against the Irish (24-28) in what has the announcers wondering if a rematch might have been in the cards for the post season if not for the fluke loss earlier to the Orange.
LOLUVA - Win. Where Duke took to role of the old uVa... uVa has the role of the old Duke. (56-3)
10-2 and looking forward to Clemson.................
I hate how realistic that loss to Syracuse sounds haha
This still sticks in my craw:
https://youtu.be/Ai6ApPXw2R4?t=6m17s
Sorry... no legs for posting that...... hope you understand....lol
Absolutely.
I was wondering if anyone here would predict a loss to Syracuse. One of those other fan/news sites (don't remember which, but it used a slide show...yesh) predicted 6-6 instead of the standard 8-4, with the extra losses coming to Duke and the Orange. TKP seems to generally have a "we really don't know anything about them, and although improving, we're pretty sure they won't be any good" mentality.
I already have tickets to the Syracuse game, but I'm hoping knee surgeries on both sides will allow me to make it Oct. 15. (recovering from left knee arthroscopy for torn meniscus now, doing the other one later; my bigger concern is possibly losing my orders if I'm not fit for sea duty in time)
Here's hoping I get this one wrong.... It just seems that unless we have a Vick on the sideline, that place is a tough venue to win in...no matter what. The Irish have the right idea and are playing them at the Meadowlands... hahah. Good luck and God speed on the recoveries. The stuff they do now with minimal invasiveness is truly amazing. Thanks for your service to our country. You have taken Ut Prosim to heart and honor us all.
Liberty: W 52-3...The team needs to get some pride back and seriously dominate a lesser foe. Plus it's Fuente's coming out party for VT no need to slow down even with 2nd half subs playing.
Tennessee: W 28-24 ...this one will remind us of the Beamer era...Tenn is talented but Bud's D keeps them in check enough for the good guys to pull the win.
BC: W 38-3...Trap game be damned ...they were terrible last year and have too much to rebuild
ECU: W 45-21...ECU will score but too little too late ..revenge is sweet!
UNC: W 34-27...tough win but doable. UNC is good but we took them the distance last year and there's no reason we shouldn't pull it off this time around.
Saracuse: W 38-7....I hated them in the Big East days and I can't let it go...no rational here just a big win
Miami: L 45-35...first L of the season...Miami finally has a coach who can make use of their depth and talent Kaaya is the man.
Pitt: W 33-17. Competent offense finds a way with some help on the defensive side of the ball.
Duke: W 42-17. Revenge revenge revenge
GT: W 28-21...it's GT they suck but it's always tough.
ND: L 38-27...too much talent and depth entertaining but L
Lol UVA: W 45-3...because lol uva
I think a competent Offense with a healthly Bud Foster defense wins a lot of games this season. We've suffered through some awful offenses the past few years. I want to be optimistic about this season. Fuente's gets the most out of his talent and this is the most talents he's had in a while. I'm excited to see how far we go this season.
I think we can beat Tennessee, but that it could go either way. Bud always has a trick up his sleeve and a summer to prepare, we have plenty of film on the Vols, as was mentioned they ain't Bama, and everyone seems to think our offense will at least make an improvement. My question then is, why exactly are we so low on our chances?
As to why;
athlonsports has 5 TN players on there Preseason All-American List
1st Team Punt Returner, Kickoff Returner, Defensive Lineman
3rd Team Line Backer
4th Team Running Back
Defense is great for our strength but there induhvidual talents are not on Offense
As a team, They were #16 in points allowed while scoring a decent 35 points a game last year. They've had 3 years of recruiting top Classes with back to back years of Top 10 Recruiting Classes
It's nothing except stuff on paper, but on paper its got them a Preseason Top 10 Ranking
With all that the coach is now on the Hot Seat, if you can't win against VT, or the SEC, then he's gone by the end of the season. He's got his Team in place and his System in place.
It's time to put up or get out.
We are the underdog. But I am with you. UT is no world-beater like OSU was. We can beat the Vols.
I would make my predictions but I don't want to embarrass you guys with my brilliance. You are welcome.
Liberty - W
Tenn - W
BC - W
ECU - W
UNC - W
Syracuse - W
Miami - W
Pitt - W
Duke - W
GT - W
ND - W
LOLUVA - W
FSU - W
Alabama - W
Ohio State - W
Our first natty baby. Okay, so maybe the odds aren't great, but right now we have zero losses so there's reason to be optimistic. :)
I'll take it.
I know some of made remarks about Sam Rogers yardage, I'm predicting that based on how CJF might use him as an H-Back coming out of the back and catching a few, he could potentially have a lot more receiving yards. I'm also banking on the fact that while Sam will certainly carry the ball, you have Williams, Shai, Trevon, DJ Reid, McLease. Sam had 260 yards last season as the backup or the FB carrying the ball. With more guys getting action and a potential role at HB, I just don't see it happening. Even at receiver, we could see a lot of guys getting action. I still think Ford goes over 1, 000 but after that it will be spread out. Overall the offense will be much better and I think with new blood in coaching we will be better than a 6-6 team. Definitely seeing at least 8 wins.
We need to do some predictions for the defense.
(Tin Foil Hat Time)
Does Coach limit Ford to 1,000 yards because the 1,400 yards he could get would make him a 1st/2nd round draftee. And then By limiting playing time chance at a 1st team finish as a WR mean Ford goes pro as a 4th/5th rounder due to coaching issues.
Given his play last year, and a new coach that has a high passing offense. Ford should get to 1300-1400 yards. Be on the Award finalist list and be an All American
Nope
Rocky I love you but...
* Some have had
* Travon
* McClease
* 2,600
* 10,000
* 12-0
* Definitely
* 15
FFS son come on now
I hate predicting losses and am of the type that doesn't see us losing any games we shouldn't pre-season.
The only in conference games I'll accept us losing at the moment are Miami and UNC. UNC is an anomaly normally and this is only based off of last years performance by them. Normally I chalk that up as a win....cause normally it is.
Miami has a coach that I don't hate and has some talent. I can see them winning but don't believe we can't.
I can also see losses to Tenn and ND. But those are the only four losses I won't be pissed at....pre-season.
All this talk of losing to Pitt and Syracuse is bannannas to me.
Pitt is a plague on our existence. We've won once since 2001 (sure there was a gap there when we weren't in-conference, but still). And the game is at Pitt, at night, on ESPN. That's all kinds of bad juju right there. I think, as VT fans, we're conditioned to expect a loss there and to celebrate with a bourbon-fueled insanity if we pull off the win. They have Conner back this year, and he's an extremely talented kid and is central to their offensive success.
Yeah I get all that. I'm an 02 grad so I've seen the many disasters that Pitt has caused us. However, it boggles my mind because, to me at least, I still see Pitt as a team we SHOULD beat. We don't always, but I rarely view them as a better team.
Like, ND this year (based off last year) is a better team than us. I expect a tough win or a loss. Clemson, is a very good team. If we played them I'd see the probability of a loss more than Liberty.
Now I know we can lose any game and that's why we play, however there are some teams I look at and say "We should win that game." Not that Pitt isn't a tough team or doesn't have some good players, but I still don't see them as a team that should beat us, ever. I see them more of an ECU type team.
We should beat Pitt every year. We don't always for whatever reason, but I can't remember a time looking at Pitt and say "Oh man Pitt is good this year. Probably a loss." We say it's a loss because we have lost games to them that we had no business losing, including the last two years.
That's what I mean by that. Now, mid-season if we are sucking and they are pounding people I may have a different opinion. But pre-season, I always see us beating Pitt.
Made me laugh. Leg for you.
If this man's health is back, then a loss to Pitt is quite possible.
Obviously Connor is an outstanding back. However in the past few years that we've played I don't recall him running all over us. We lost but I don't think it was because of Connor. It was more to the play of our Oline last year that played probably their worst game ever. The year prior it was their douche QB somehow running all over us. In both games we were still within a score of winning. Tough fought games but Connor was not dominating us.
We crush them all. Until the games actually happen, I refuse to believe anything else #BeardLogic
#BEARDLOGIC makes irrefutable sense to me.
Honestly I think the schedule comes down to three things:
1. Beat UVA (always #1)
2. Win 2/3 vs UNC, Miami and Pitt. Do that and we Coastal Champs once again.
3. Avoid the letdown, I almost guarantee we would lose to either BC, ECU or Cuse if this was any other year.
Liberty - W, 42-10. Big time debut for Fuente, who reigns it in earlier than we would want.
Tenn - L 31-27. We lose, but the ACC is put on notice that we aren't slouches.
BC - W 34-13. Ford goes ham and we drink happy drinks that we don't have Lefty anymore.
ECU - W 38-24. How dumb can ECU be for firing their coach?
UNC - L 38-20. Losing recruits to them catches up with us.
Syracuse - W 52-13. Big time comeback to avoid the letdown.
Miami - W 27-24. Kayaa gets cocky and throws the game away.
Pitt - W 17-16. We all go grey and have mild heart attacks but we slide out with a win.
Duke - L 24-21. Lose a close game from a tired team.
GT - W 30-17. This is the game that gets Johnson fired.
ND - L 41-38. Linebacking core has a bad day and we can't keep up.
LOLUVA - W 23-3. Fuente knows how important this is, and so does Bud.
I think with 8-4 (6-2) we make the ACC Championship game and we lose to Clemson, badly. But next year...
Liberty-Win. Not as easy a win as we'd all like, though.
UT-Loss. I keep waffling on this one though. We may be able to pull this one off.
BC-Win. Loeffler can't figure out Bud's defense, even after practicing against it.
ECU-Win. It better not rain this year. Just sayin.
UNC-Win. I think we come up big in this one.
Syracuse-Win. I hate that we have to play them in that bubble in NY.
Miami-Loss. I hold this one as a toss-up.
Pitt-Win. I think we out-offense them for a change.
Duke-Win. I'm not convinced that Sirk will be 100% even by the time we play them.
GT-Win. This game always makes me think that I should get a professional manicure.
ND-Win. I think we pull off a shocker in golden domer-land.
UVA-Win. Maybe someone will let Bronco see the Commonwealth Cup. No touching it, though.
The return of the 10-win season. And a return to Charlotte.
I think it's interesting you have us getting to Charlotte with a loss to Miami. If they can beat a 10-win Hokies team in Lane on a Thursday night they are probably good enough to win the division.
I think they lose 3; FSU, UNC, and one to either GT or Pitt.
Since I graduated back in 1980, I have to say this is one season that I don't have a clue how this team will play, good or bad. In past seasons there were years where I thought we be great and then a loss to Temple happens and the season tanks and I have seen us loose our first two games and then we win the Sugar Bowl against Texas. So this year I am going to sit back and enjoy the ride, keeping moderate expectaions. Speculation is fun though.
15-0. Championship!
Rocky, I love your prediction, mostly because I want to have a matchup with the Gamecocks so bad.
Living in Charleston, I'd love to have a win over those guys!
And of course, if we could go ahead and catch up with Clemson, that would be great too!
GO HOKIES
Thanks, I have a weird feeling that we will match up with the Gamecocks....not sure why.
anybody going to south bend a week before Thanksgiving?
Trying to.
If by "a week before thanksgiving" you mean ""for the VT @ ND game", then yes.
My predictions won't be released until week 6.
It'll be interesting to see how the big ones go this year, like UT
and ND. I remember when our D could keep us in big games in the
past, but I guess that stopped last year with the DB's being inexperienced.
With things looking up this season, hope we give em a good fight.
We're going to have a pretty tough schedule. At least 4 of the teams we play will probably be ranked when we play them (Tenn, UNC, Miami(not yet ranked, but could be by then), ND)
That's not to mention that some of our later games (Duke, GT, Pitt) could be against teams which are ranked if they are having a great season up to that point.
It's a tough first year for CJF
Looking back at the prediction, we got to 9 wins, but weird the games we lost in Syracuse and GA Tech. Let's get to 10wins.
On the stats Ford is still gonna go above 1000, probably closer to 1200 in my estimation. Travon didn't quite get there but caught a bunch of passes.
Thanks key play, this was a fun season
If I could have just one game back this year it's Cuse.
Especially tied at 17 in the 4th, when it suddenly turned into 1999 FSU. And I was there, hearing their so-so fan turnout blow the roof off the place for two scores in the closing minutes.