Oh hey look, Houston steamrolled UConn. The poor huskies must have thought "if we can beat a P5 team with 13 points, surely 14 is enough for a lowly G5 opponent."
Good luck with that.
Anyway, whilest our mighty Techmen battle the unworthy foe, BYE, everyone else actually gets to play football. Discuss.
And to drive discussion: what game this weekend is most important for Hokie fans and why?
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Comments
I want to say UNC, but I'm not sure the outcome really makes a difference. If it is a close, hard fought, emotional game, I could see them being tired or overconfident next week.
If they get stomped, I could see them having to expose their entire playbook or new players we don't have film on yet, to our advantage.
Louisville/Clemson goes toward conference perception; it will matter more for us late in the season if championship run(s) are looming. But Houston will also have something to say about that.
I think the most applicable thing to watch for (outside of UNC film) is if Miami actually gets tested vs. GT. We get them on the short week, and I actually feel Syracuse could be our trap game; hoping for an injury free trip to the Dome with lots of rest for the starters.
It's certainly going to determine what time we play next week. I believe a UNC win increases our odds of a later kickoff.
And if FSU and Miami both lose, we could very well find ourselves in primetime on the 8th.
Eh for me the only truly important games are in two categories: the ones we can control (I.e. we actually play in them) and the ones UVA loses. Whatever happens in other games is entertainment but I don't consider them as important as the above. As long as UVA loses it will be a successful weekend. Whatever happens to the team we face next, we need to show up ready to get the best out of them. Every time.
All that being said, lots of great games this weekend. Can't wait to watch as many as I can.
I'm an old curmudgeon who's lived in a number of states, so my "as long as they lose" list is longer than yours. UNC, UGA and ND are all on my list (had a very tough time choosing UNC-UGA on the opening weekend).
To clarify, some games this weekend can certainly make me feel better about the games we actually play in.
The only games that matter for us directly are our own, and games where a Coastal team plays another ACC team. We control our own destiny by winning, and the Atlantic team or the Coastal team with the worse record (for Coastal matchups) is who we want to win those other matchups.
We won't get left out of the playoffs if we win the ACC at 12-1 this year, because the Atlantic is stacked.
Miami/GT - First true test for the Hurricanes and a decisive game for the Coastal. This game will give us an understanding of who both of these teams really are.
Clemson/Louisville - winner of this game will most likely meet the Hokies in the ACC Showdown in Orlando.
Two potential No. 1 overall draft picks go head-to-head and that does not often happen.
I don't mean to bad mouth GT, but from what I've seen of them, I don't think they are any more of a test for Miami than App St was. In fact, if App St and GT played on a neutral site, I'd take App St.
I'm not sure about GT/Miami.
Miami is starting three true freshman LBs. That could be a very rough day vs the triple option even though they have otherwise played well. If they perform well it will say a lot more than if they struggle.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I am with the others. I am not sure GT is a true test for anybody. BC should have beaten them and I think GT has struggled with everybody this season.
I see what you did there........and I like it!
Most impressive thing about Houston/UConn was the ease with which UH dropped 28 in the second quarter. They just made it look effortless.
But Ward has a bizarre throwing motion. It's almost sidearm. Reminds me of Tyrod back when he had "the hitch."
We did the same thing against ECU though. We laid 24 on them in the second quarter. We're not as good as Houston but it feels good to be capable of dispatching teams like them.
Perhaps Tyrod's dad could coach another QB and fix his throwing motion.
Gotta agree with most that Miami GT is pretty important. It's the canes first "test" but GT doesn't appear to be that great either so how much of a test is it really. I think da U wins that one fairly easily and the chants that they are back grows.....even though they still have not really played anyone. I think Richt was a great hire for them and he'll definitely have them competing but I don't know if this is that year.
UNC FSU is another intriguing game. It will be interesting to see how UNC plays that one. I can see it either being close or UNC getting steamrolled. I think UNC playing FSU while we have the bye sets up nice for us as I agree with others in that any outcome for UNC (unless they stomp FSU which I don't see happening) helps us.
UVA Duke should be fun to watch and Duke isn't as good as they have been in recent years and it's always fun to see UVA lose. I think Duke takes that one.
I'll also be interested to see how Pitt fares against Marshall. I think they'll win but how will it look.
Louisville Clemson should be fun as well and I think it's a win win for the conference as both are highly ranked. As long as either of them win out the conference will have a spot in the playoffs, especially if Louisville wins. If either of those teams loses the ACCCG I think the ACC won't be in the playoffs. Even if we win out I don't know if we'd be ranked high enough to get in with how Houston is playing. We'll see on that one though.
Another point on the UNC-FSU game. UNC had a 24-14 lead in the 3rd qtr vs UGA. UGA went on to score 19 unanswered points. UGA's play vs Mizzou (a road win, in the last seconds of the game) and Ol Miss (blown out on the road) indicates that they may be a very sub par UGA team (true Fr QB's can kind of do that preseason). UNC's loss to UGA looked semi-respectable at one point in time. 3 weeks later, it's lost some respectability (same could be said of Clemson's W over Auburn, for that matter).
but, but, but Auburn beat LSU. That means they are legit, right?
-I'd like to see Duke look serviceable after beating ND (since we play both). I could see a lot of our opponents doing poorly backfiring our strength of schedule.
-Since we don't play anyone from the Atlantic, beating an undefeated team in Orlando (assuming VT makes it) would be a de facto victory over the others (which should all still be ranked if they just beat each other).
-If Louisville's the undefeated team we beat in Orlando, Houston won't be a problem anymore.
I agree completely with your strength of schedule comment. I think that's what hurts us though and even if we win out to include the ACCCG will we be ranked high enough at that time to leap Houston. Perhaps but as for now I see us getting left out in that scenario. I would see us in the top ten after that but maybe not on the top four unless we were #6 at the time we played a top four ranked Louisville.
But anything can happen.
My bolded point is that "top four" Lousiville by Dec. 3rd will have already eliminated Houston from contention since they play each other, and UH cannot afford to lose any games. The Tennessee loss and low initial ranking may still keep us out, but a convincing victory over the Cards should give us the edge over UH in the "New Years 6" conversation.
Ohio State wasn't kept out by losing to us, I think the (presumed) winner of the SEC east won't be looked at as such a bad loss.
So if Louisville beats Clemson and Houston, we beat Louisville, we should have the SOS to get in.
If Lou beats Clem but loses to Houston, then better hope we also beat Lou in the ACCGC and OK wipes out hard
If Clem beats Lou then we just have to beat Clem and hope OK tanks.
the bored announcers during the Houston game beat this to death. One though the only way for Houston to make it was for Louisville to win the ACC, with their only loss being to Houston. The other felt any P5 conference champion with 1 loss would get in over them, even under that scenario. Not that the announcers have any say, but if that is the ESPN promotional line it will sway the public opinion. I agree that how OU does in a down conference will have a real impact if they do beat Louisville, but in watching that game Uconn is bad, and Houston is more flawed than most other contenders.
I think if Houston goes undefeated it'll be because Lamar Jackson gets hurt between now and then. But if their big wins (OK and Louis) are devalued, they will probably get passed by a 1-loss major conference champion.
Hmm...I have Houston penciled into the CFP as long as they win out, regardless of who wins the ACC. But I'm also anticipating Louisville to be in the ACCCG.
Not that I actually control anything....
Totally forgot they play each other. Makes a lot more sense now.
I think UNC vs FSU is a pivotal game for VT. UNC needs to come out firing on all cylinders if they want to have a chance in this game. Both defenses have been giving up a lot of yardage and a lot of points. I personally want UNC to win this game because I think VT can beat them at home. It would look better for VT if UNC beat FSU and then VT beats UNC the following weekend.
GT vs. Miami is another game that I think has great implications. Is Miami a real contender? They are ranked 14th but have they played anyone worthy (an argument could be made for App St)? I think GT has a fighting chance but I think Miami wins this game because of a dominant 4th quarter.
Duke vs. UVA has little impact for VT. It would look better for Duke to win and then VT wipe the floor with them later on down the road. UVA sucks and hopefully that will continue.
Clemson vs Louisville only matters when it comes down to the ACC Championship game. Personally, I think VT stands a decent chance of beating Louisville. VT could matchup fairly well against Clemson too, but Clemson's front 7 is pretty incredible. This one could have implications towards the end of the season, but that's many important games away.
How does watchespn already have a replay posted for the Duke-LOLUVa game? Maybe it's just this highlight clip:
I'll be at the Louisville Clemson game, should be a fun one, Clemson has scraped out victories the last two years over significantly worse Louisville teams so this feels like the year the Cards win.
Clemson, for those who haven't watched all of their games this season, is a shell of it's former self, the interior O-line has been their achilles heel and their lack of push and struggles in pass pro has permeated throughout the offense as a whole. They don't run as well on first down, are passing 20% more often on second down than last year and are not finishing drives and converting third downs like they were a year ago. Deshaun seems to be pressing, and is visibly frustrated at times, a staunch difference from his calm, cool demeanor last year where he looked smooth and in control most of the time. However, they still have all the pieces for this offense to kick start into the form they were expecting to have in the preseason.
That said, they have ANOTHER incredible defensive line, they play a 310 pounder at end, Christian Wilkins, with Clelin Ferrell (ugh) at the other end at 265, another 300+ big time talent in Carlos Watkins inside, and true freshman 340 lb five star Dexter Lawrence who plays like Tim Settle. Just like the last two years, their defensive numbers and perception are held up almost entirely by how good their front four is. I think the secondary is very suspect and when teams have had time to throw against Venables, they are liable to get lit up.
It will take some combination of Clemson's d line covering for the rest of the defense and containing and harassing LJ AND the offense taking a step forward for them to win this game. Totally possible, but the smart money says take Louisville and at -2 it's pretty damn close to a pick'em.
Man, you're lucky! Should be a sweet game. Will be interesting
to see where each team stands in comparison to each other.
There's all this hype about LU but can they hang with a team like Clemson?
Then Clemson apparently isn't quite as good this season. Who knows.
Have a good time!
At this point, any game involving a Coastal division contender important.
UNC-FSU, and GT-Miami are the games I'm most interested in. While I think FSU and Miami will both win easily, you never know.
Keep an eye on Stanford/Washington tonight and Michigan/Wisconsin tomorrow as well as that Louisville/Clemson game.
Texas/OkSt probably doesn't have significant implications but will show us a bit about both teams. Same with Oklahoma/TCU.
Tenn/UGA will be on one of my screens
Stanford Washington tonight.
Tomorrow I'll be watching fsu/unc, Clemson/Louisville, uva/duke, and definitely Miami Georgia Tech.
Out of all those I'm most interested in Miami-GT. For the life of me, I don't know who the fuck these 'Canes are or why they're getting SO MUCH LOVE. Should be intriguing seeing them stop the triple option.
An interesting bit on the GT/Miami is Richt's history with GT.
13-2 at UGA, something like that. But I'm interested in seeing if he uses the same scheme with different players.
Me tomorrow.
lol
At this point I think Clemson winning benefits is the most just because they play FSU also and if they beat them as well as 2 SeC teams by the end of the season that may look better for VT assuming we beat them in the ACCCG. Lot of interesting speculation but that's how I see it right now.
Louisville gave FSU their worst loss in decades and gets a chance at a top 10 Houston team as well. If you're wondering who could have the most impressive resume in the ACCCG, its easily Louisville.
Also, if L'ville wins, either FSU or Clemson will necessarily have 2 losses by seasons' end.
Whoever wins this game needs to win out, IMHO.
Louisville vs Clemson
Because it allows Coach BudFu to scheme easier for the ACCCG
Don't know if anyone is watching this UW-Stanford game, but Washington looks good. Sophomore QB who started all games a year ago as a true freshman. I will always hate Boise State but Chris Peterson is showing once again what he can do with an underrated program.
UW has Stanford all out of sorts. I don't know if I've ever seen Stanford totally dominated like this.
Burns looks terrible.
I love UDub and Colorado both bring relevant this year.
Washington is much more physical than Stanford. I love physical football.
I think it is safe to say McCaffrey is taking himself out of the Heisman race.
Ugh wish we could have had this kind of performance against Stanford.
Doesn't Stanford have 2 injured corners, making this uglier than it would normally be?
Had to turn off the Huskies hiking their legs on the trees.
Watching Toledo come back againt BYU is quite entertaining.
That explains it. U Dub had a Fuller.
And fuck Stanford.
I ended up passing out after Washington missed their extra point on their first touchdown, and woke up near half with the Huskies up 23-0. Went straight to bed. Wish I would have seen some of this game because it looks like Petersen has the Huskies back in good form.
You passed out on a treadmill? Ouch!
Don't know if horses on treadmills have "concussion protocol", but being knocked out for nearly two quarters can't be good.
And the belt burns...ouch.
Not as bad as saddle sores.
Their defense dominated Stanford. Had like 7 sacks.
Then in the fourth qtr I believe the literally ate up 10 min of the qtr on one drive which they scored on as well. Pretty dominant performance.
More interesting was the stat for Mcaffrey at away games. Apparently he is super mediocre in away games, including last night, and all his great performances have come at home.
I wonder if it's him or the team as a whole?
(this is possibly the first time I've watched Stanford this decade, and I also passed out after 23-0)
He wasn't mediocre last night. He was all they had and made some great individual plays.
He had 12 carries for 41 yds with a long of 14 rushing and 5 catches for 30
TDsYds with a long of 14. I'd say that's pretty mediocre even for someone who isn't in the running for the Heisman. I mean if one of our backs was contained to that I don't think we would say he had a good game.It's amazing they lost with him scoring 71 TD's.
Autocorrect for Heisman!
Dang autocorrect!! Ha ha ha fixed.
So apparently Mack Brown left the BYU-Toledo game early in the 4th quarter to catch a flight, have never seen that before.
MACK BROWN IS A QUITTER HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED UNTIL THE END OF THE GAME. HE'S JUST LIKE NICK SABAN WHEN HE QUIT ON THE DOLPHINS.
Damn that other thread got me all riled up. Sorry Fireman, this isn't @ you
This was a close game where the better team lost due to turnovers. That is pretty un-excusable and might be grounds for being fired.
Except ESPN is the one who set his schedule up like that.
I guess they predicted that BYU would win the upset.
imagine how peaceful it was without his babbling.
Meanwhile in Durham, UVA continues to struggle to identify what a football field is...
Looks like a crowded backfield!
I wonder if Bronco promised all of those guys snaps at QB this year?
With the way they play on Saturday's, no wonder it seems LOLUVA players are playing on asphalt without pads, afraid of tackling or being tackled, diving, and so on..
I'm thinking they are practicing against Ford's....
Bold strategy.
Normally, I like to see teams in our division win. It both makes our games with them more exciting and makes us look good when we beat them. UVA would be the one exception here: they need to always loose.
I thought the whole deal with yoga is that they'd always be loose. So you and bronco are on the same page.
Asking you guys. I'm in Boston today and bc plays buffalo and the sox play toronto. Would you youz go to BC or bosox game?
Can technically do both but then wouldn't have time for harvard, mit, local sights etc
If I were there, 1) MIT, 2) BC Game for a half, 3) Harvard .... Last) Baseball
With David Ortiz retiring this year, go to Fenway if you have the chance.
Need help today guys, between hospital room TV, running out now to take oldest to birthday party I'm going to be stuck watching or listening on XM to one game at a time. Could someone point out any really close games or interesting drives so I can change channel?
yeah, we'll keep you posted man
Syracuse - Notre Dame coaches like...
fk defense
FTFY
"Defense; that thing you try inside the 5 yard line."
Both UVA and Duke coming off "impressive" wins? I think you mis-pronounced " surprising", ACC announcer.
Several people are interested in the Duke-UVA game.
Fewer fans than a never nude convention?
Beat me to it. Haha
I'm ok with this as a double post.
Those blue seats, they'll get after ya...making it look like people are there.
I showed the pic to MrsEMC, she thought the joke was there wasn't much orange (UVa) in the stadium. I said no, the blue are seats. There's no one in the stadium.
Man, duke should have had a safety on that 3rd&26
NDvsSU: 4 possessions, 5 minutes, 6 scores. Makes sense.
Man, smoke mizzel. I've never seen anyone do less with so much commentator love.
I just lol'd at lolUVA's extra point attempt
Back-to-back fumbles by GT are returned for TDs by Miami. Total of 21 points in :38. Unreal.
I've seen this story played out before...
hard to blame him, but Thomas is just sulking on the bench. Not even CPJ could call that leadership.
that's hard to come back from .
GT is just not a very good team
Watching this duke/LOLUVa game, looks like you can be top half of the coastal just by having a pulse.
Sadly, I will root for any Tech over Miami.
Uggghhh....stupid Sergio Garcia.
Brian Kelly is going full on toddler meltdown. It's glorious.
At least we're not looking at a coaching problem. Pretty close when the telecaster is diagnosing why your defense is so awful (not getting a rush on a weak Syracuse OL).
Looks like Kizer can pass with a pocket, but Syracuse couldn't stop a slug on a salt lick.
Cuse/ND on pace for 120 combined points and over 1400 combined yards of offense.
They showed the WR's season stat line, could be just for this game.
ND making the other DC look good now.
Duke's QB is awful. That is all.
Alright duke. This isn't funny anymore how are we supposed to recognize our dream of going 11-1 while LOLUVA goes 1-11 if you keep throwing them the ball.
My goodness, just how bad is ND's defense?*
*Valid question watching either the Duke/UVA or ND/Cuse game.
Either Georgia Tech's defense is good, or Miami's offense isn't worth the hype. They are only winning because of two fumble return TD's
Keep in mind GT let BC score 2 TDs.
Watching the ACC stats scroll across the bottom, VT has a player in top five of every offensive & defensive category (except passing & rushing; Lamar Jackson in both).
Our boy Jerod, being our best passer & rusher, has some work to do.
GT playing Enter Sandman during the break.
I heard that. WTF GT? We are the best Tech. Stop stealing our stuff.
I think I saw a commercial with the line "Create the Next."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7qERXhPZzM
Sounds familiar...
I think Thomas could've got the 1st if he'd committed to the run sooner.
I was hoping ECU would bounce back after us throttling them...
I guess not though
In Ohio for a wedding, and my wife looks at the Ohio State score of 51-0... And I quote... "Gee that looks like a Virginia Tech score"
And she said it completely unironically
Why do all referees and officials make the most retarded targeting calls? UCF linebacker just got ejected for no reason, and ECU scores on the very next play.
Iowa State is laying it on Baylor.
I spent a summer in Ames doing research with their chemistry department, so ISU is one of those teams that's fun to root for. Also they don't win too often.
Plus a Baylor loss helps avoid awkward moments for the committee later on.
Ohio State might be good.
"Can Florida compete for a playoff bid?" Come on, ESPN! Right after you show their 13-6 escape of Vanderbilt?
That fake punt was so LOLUVA.
GEORGIA PLEASE WIN
From a pure VT standpoint, I'm OK if Tenn wins.
I've got no dawg in the fight.
I would feel the same way if I didn't live in Bristol. These people are so cocky. I saw a person walking around in those horrible orange and white checkered overalls at the grocery store this morning. Tennessee escapes everything and it's so frustrating.
Can you believe that dumb td the Vols got before halftime? They will snake their way to another win. Bleh
Yeah, I can't believe the sideline ref called that a TD so quickly
Duke... SMH
I know right? It's like we're back to true #GOACC form. Miami is rolling, but will choke it up later, duke is losing the fight for last place with LOLUVA, and we're doing pretty well.
At this rate, we should hang 50 on both these teams.
On that fumble in the end zone, Duke's an went all road runner with the football: he goes flying and the ball just hovered in mid air before dropping to the ground.
Wow. Carolina getting it done. Not sure how to feel about that, but I think I don't like it.
I'm not sure how I feel, either. It's still early, and over the last few years, FSU falling behind early is pretty common. I'm not sold that UNC is as good as they're looking right now. Let's see if they can maintain the intensity for a full 4 quarters.
In years past, with VT struggling, I would have been rooting hard for a UNC loss, to better the odds of Coastal ChaosTM to help us along. This year, screw it. Bring 'em all on. Let's see what this team is made of. The only thing I want to rely on is whether or not the Hokies win. The rest will sort itself out.
FSU's D is making UNC look like one of the best teams in the nation right now.
Sup all. Checking in. Watching the UNC/FSU game wishing they'd both find a way to lose. I was kind of hoping UNC would just get thumped so they'd have no hope against us next week. This is not going that way.
Vols are garbage.
LOL JALEN HURD
Rekt.
I'm not liking how the way the UNC/FSU game is going. It'd be great if FSU could play UNC close and physical so they might be a little tired and worn out for next week. But man at this rate the Heels are gonna be able to put their backups in...
UNC putting serious work on Free Shoes University right now. I'm even more excited for the game next weekend to see how we stack up.
Wow. Tennessee paying for the breaks they got in the VT game today.
The FSU O-Line is turrrrrrrible
ECU got dumpstered at UCF...
I think it's now safe to say we haven't beaten any good football teams yet. Makes the UNC game next week feel even more critical for us as a program.
It looks like their starting QB only played for 2 quarters while the score was close. Not sure if they lost because the starting QB was injured.
To be fair, they did have over 500 yards of offense, they just had 5 turnovers which killed them...
23-21 UCF lead when roughing the passer knocked the ECU QB out of the game. The 2nd string guy came in to throw 2 picks, incl a pick6. QB makes huge difference for that team.
How do they not call any of the 3 obvious jersey stretching holds on that run by Donna?
Tennessee got on the board.
It warms the cold, dead place where my heart should be to see that WVU is getting blanked going into halftime.
So many good games on today.
Flipping channels. Wish Wisconsin would beat Mich, but I have feeling that Mich is going to blow game open 2nd half.
UT getting cheap breaks... they'll end up winning and I will never hear the end of this season.
Really interested to see Clemson's D vs Lamar Jackson.
Clemson D was locked in against GT last week...
But I'm sure Lamar Jackson still has a few cheat codes he can use
That's why I hope the game lives up to the hype. Will Jackson go all Mike Vick on them, or will Stud D prevail and make him look average?
The games today are NOT boring.
Words cannot describe how tired I am of people saying Dobbs is a good QB. He's not.
Yup, it's the classic fallacy of "QB is on a good team, therefore he must be good."
I've never been impressed with him running it either. I mean he's mobile and can keep something alive but I don't think he's anywhere near as good as Tyrod was/is. He's not a game changer.
KSU should have went up by another 7 but the WR just dropped a TD pass that was in his hands. Ugh.
UNC putting on an offense clinic in Tallahassee.
Wisconsin scored to even game at 7. Interception gave them the ball on short field. Good play calling to get the td.
I know FSU's defense is not that good this year, but UNC's offense is getting 3rd down converted at will. Not sure if it's more due to the FSU secondary or UNC's WRs.
Maybe a bit of both.
VT defense will have their hands full next week.
That last TD was easy to see coming a mile away. Corner shows blitz, the ball comes out quick and the safety just has too much field to cover. Easy money. I don't expect Bud to be so predictable and lax with his coverages.
Mich drove ball for another fg attempt, and another miss. Kicker has missed 3 fgs so far.
That was the backups first miss. The starter is the big punter, too I think
FSU's given up 34, 63, 35, and 28 (through 3 quarters) vs. FBS teams this year. I'd say that's a pattern.
...and they're about to lose thanks to some embarrassing tackling in the secondary.
Just saw Shane Beamer on sideline after UGA scored. Maybe someone with Hokie ties can beat the Vols this year.
Hmmm....what is better UNC winning a hard fought game that goes to the end or UNC blowing the lead losing after being up by 21?
Either way works to our favor I think.
Neither will matter if we come out gunning like we have the last two weeks, but I'll have to say UNC beating the #12 team will hopefully have them up on their high horse so we can knock them off
I feel dirty and wrong pulling for FSU to win, but I am enjoying this UNC meltdown.
I'm pulling for FSU because I'd like it to be a soul-sucking loss at this point.
But really, I can live with it either way.
YOU SHOULD. Fuck that chop shit.
What is happening in the Tenn/UGA game?
24-21 Dawgs on top. 12+ mins left in the 4th
Thanks. Nurse is blocking the TV so I can't change it.
I like that the FSU-Carolina game is going down to the last play.
Agreed. The grind and pound game by FSU is surely tiring the UNC defense out.
Good call it did!
All I know is that fsu has a guy named Bo Bo.
unc D is spent
unc choke the chicken job
Well, that FSU Defense just let up that touchdown down the sidelines.... Though that blocked XP could make all the difference if FSU can drive it down the field
And Michigan might finally be gaining a little momentum to try and wrap this game...despite the number of times they could have given it away thanks to all those missed FGs
Dalvin Cook is a monster
This is the perfect scenario that I was hoping for, in the FSU-UNC game. FSU flounders for much of the game. UNC gets a meaningful lead. Then FSU breaks their spirit at the end.
LOLUVA won today, and it looks like UT and WVU are going to rally to win. I'm going to need beer.
Edit: And UNC won. Fuuuuuuuuuuck
That's about as big of a gut punch as you can conceive of for UNC. Missed XP is the difference.
Exactly.
And to hear the lamentation of their women.
As long as they don't get the FG.
Amazing to me how Switzer was so wide open on that last play. Trubisky just sailed it, otherwise you're looking at a serious chance at the FG.
Can any team get more breaks this year than Tenn has gotten?
Doesn't get closer than that. Was so long that he had nothing to lose. UNC will be on a high all week.
VT has to beat them next week now.
Two very close wins in the past two weeks. UNC's luck is due to run out. If our pass rush can get to Trubisky, he's going to have a tough day. Secondary is going to have to be on point though, between Proehl and Switzer, as well as their crop of TEs and RBs.
I keep saying that about Tenn.
THE UNC KICKER HITS A 54-YARDER FOR THE WIN. WOW.
Gd it. Carolina. They'll be ranked next week.
And we'll be ranked the week after!
Well there goes Jimbo to LSU right?
Fuck Jimbo and Bo Bo
You mean Fedora to LSU right?
Only if they want another coach who can't game plan.
WERE GETTING A RANKED CAROLINA NEXT WEEK GUYS
The kick was great, didn't think he showed the confidence before the kick. But I thought the celebration by the UNC kicker was a little over the top.
He probably didn't even expect to make that. But it reminded me of Chris Kinzer and it made me happy
Really? Tomahawk chop after a game winning kick against FSU in their house is over the top? He will probably never have a more exciting moment in his entire life. That was the perfect way to celebrate it.
FSU had won 22 home games in a row. UNC broke their streak.
Ah, the joy of watching a kicker run around the field making fun of the other team! Nice kick
Well, that was a heck of a kick...
And in the end, Michigan's D comes back to force Wisconsin down for the win.
FOOTBALL!
I think I dislike FSU more than UNC, so I'm glad they won. Plus it means we get a ranked UNC to go against next week to see how we stack up.
Lets Go!
Poor guy, he doesn't realize that we would block the shit out of that.
Holy Mary mother of god...that pass was gorgeous
Call me crazy, but I think UNC winning is a good thing for us.
I'm with you. They're on an emotional high, feeling really good about what they've done the last two weeks. But they've barely scraped out wins against two defenses that are not nearly as good as ours. Their defense gives up lots of points and relies on the offense to keep pace. I think it will be a great matchup next week and we're going to give them their toughest test yet.
^THIS
Bingo!
We don't really know how good our defense is really. BC is awful on offense. We are seeing that ECU is just a bad team.
Emotionally? Yes. But any coastal team (not named Virginia Tech) that wins obviously hurts our chances for winning the coastal. Then again, when we win out, it will not matter.
We might have just gotten a night game next week...or at least 330
Hopefully so because I've got a shed roof project that would interfere with a 12:30 kickoff!
HOLY SHIT!!
And wow Tennessee blows that coverage hard....that was also a beautiful pass from Eason, but still...Tennessee can't give that up.
That looks like game for themWELLLLLP
DOWN GOES TENNESSEE!!
UNC will be high off of this win! So glad I hope they look past us and we go in there and beat them. We are much better off since UNC won because now they will not be mad next week. I hope we are a huge trap that they fall in!!!
WTH would anyone here want tn to lose? We played them! We don't play ga.
UGA fan checking in.....and checking out....
You obviously don't live in Bristol.
Amen. I live in Abingdon. The more UT loses the less I have to hear Rocky Top. That's a win for me.
We're not in the playoff discussion. Our SOS doesn't really matter that much. We beat Ohio State a few years ago but it didn't mean a thing.
Well, unless we win out.
According to ESPN we're still a dark horse. That's about where we are and should be.
Nothing wrong with that but we're a bit away from competing with teams like Louisville and Clemson. I need to see a lot more from us.
Only two months away.
Because fuck tennessee, that's why.
Wow...
Helps our SOS, but still screw Tenn
Tennessee has a lucky horse shoe or something. That is unbelievable.
they've got auburn luck.
Well......that was one heck of a Hail Mary
Yea obviously a UNC loss would have opened up more room for error in the Coastal but a Carolina win gives us a great opportunity to prove ourselves worthy.
God hates me
you've got to be kidding me!
UT?!?!? Great catch.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I just watched the end of FSU-UNC and then UGA-Tenn. I may never be able to watch CFB again.
Same. My heart is beating like a phonebook in a dryer
Holy shit UNC!
Also, holy shit
UGATennessee!Holy shit
TennesseeUGATennessee!What a finish!
Great ending to UT-UGA. Time to buckle down and beat UNC. GO HOKIES!!
Someone help me.
Poor Hokiegirl
you're in the lions den aren't you?!
I was in a restaurant at the Pinnacle made up of Tennessee fans. I screamed and clapped when UGA scored and I got death stares from everyone. Then the hail mary happened... and I left quickly. Bristol is having a meltdown right now and I want no part of it. I'll be the first to admit I'm bitter.
you're lucky you got out of there with your life.. hahaha
I feel for you on being there after we lost to UT this year... but you're just asking for it when it's anyone else.
Bless your heart. You're just gonna have to work on being wild as mink but sweet as soda pop. ;)
That was pretty clever, kudos :)
Sorry you have to put up with some of the bad fans. At the end of the day it's just a game and people are more important. Anything I ever say on here is meant to be good natured.
Wish there were more of you around! Thanks for always being a class act on here and congrats on a miraculously wild ending! :)
And after watching some of the ecu game......they suck.
Where's the Ruff?
Classic surrender cobras and "The Scream" combo before Tennessee unleashed their comeback black magic.
So is UNC better than we thought or is FSU actually just that bad.
How good is our offense and defense as Liberty, BC, ECU, and Tenn area apparently all fluky or bad.
I think fsu is that bad. their D is bad.
As for us, not sure of what to make of it yet. we definitely look better, but seeing ecu get demolished today makes think they weren't as good as advertised.
UCF is no slouch. They took Maryland to OT in College Park. Admittedly, Maryland isn't a P5 behemoth, but it's still a G5 giving a P5 all they can handle. Plus ECU had 5 turnovers against UCF. They only had one against us.
I'm not saying we're as good as we looked against ECU. I'm just saying it's probably better not to try to extrapolate anything about us from the outcome of UCF/ECU.
This is a good point. If you have 5 turnovers, then you're likely to lose the game, and inflate the other team's score (e.g. our game against Tennessee).
All this drama and the Clemson-Louisville hasn't even started yet. I love college football!
Another great ending was Penn St and Minnesota....McSorley (from Northern VA) had over 400 yards of offense
I usually only pull for UK during basketball season (not bandwagon, my dad grew up there and all of my family lives there) and it's probably hopeless to pull for an upset, but this game is pretty interesting.
Okay well today sucks
Great Clemson entrance. Absolutely the second best entrance in the country.
Is it the number 1 entrance? No. But I do think it is the most unique. Love the aspects of it.
I think running down the hill is cool. But riding the bus and somehow making that a "spectacle" is absurd. It's just silly.
I just don't get the wow for getting off a bus and rubbing a rock that has nothing to do with Clemson. Oh and polluting the environment with balloons.
I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe it gets the players hype, but don't see how that entrance comes close to drawing in the fans like Enter Sandman.
And they should know better on the balloons.
I can't stand it. Clemson fans are almost as bad as Tennessee fans. I still hold the grudge from their last visit to Lane. Dreaming of the day we get another shot at them.
I remember the days when Macho Harris owned them.
Yep, good times that are long gone. Remember 2011? It aches me.
They certainly got their revenge.
It's not even in top 5 for fan experience. They ride a bus around their own stadium, run down a hill a touch a rock from California.
You forgot balloons!
Seriously, I am in agreement. No one cared about this entry when Clemsoning was a thing. It now has the blessing of ESPN to reach this perceived status.
Those false starts mess with your rythim. Pun intended.
Gotta give a hat tip to clemson and anyone who can't may just be a hater--that place is rockin. It's been a long time since Lane was that raucous.
Lane was as good an environment for ECU and BC and will be better for Miami.
Though they don't seem to understand that they should shut up when they're on offense...
Lane was that raucous on Labor Day 2015, which is also the last time we had a top five team in the stadium, unless I'm forgetting UNC being higher ranked.
I was at Ohio state last year and lane was rocking. Especially after SAMs TD run
I was at OSU@VT and FSU@CLEM last season. Lane was hyped up, but to be completely honest, Death Valley was louder.
In fairness, they've got like 15,000 more fans in their stadium
In all fairness though, Death Valley holds an extra 15k compared to Lane. So they SHOULD be louder.
Flipping through channels. Managed to turn to ASU-USC just in time to see USC go for it on 4th & 2 on their own 42. High snap results in a 4 yd loss. Watching USC melt down with all of the talent that they recruit is priceless.
#TooEarlyHotTakes
The USC that's up 41-6?
Louisville O-Line is struggle city tonight
After seeing the last two UNC games, I've picked up on two keys to beat them.
1.) Don't let off the gas pedal.
2.) Score 38 points.
Apparently we shipped our greased footballs from the first two games to Clemson. The turnovers in this game are amazing.
Was very interesting on the Clemson interception, they completely ignored the pass interference.
We might be ranked after this week as everybody above us is losing.
Louisville wr was getting held the entire way down the field, no laundry. Replay even showed the ref staring at the Jersey getting pulled.
that no call on that obvious PI was just down right deplorable
Deshaun Watson just stole Jerod Evans archery celebration. It's on now
Did you hear the fsu commercial r that stole "this is home."
Yea I did I was pissed
Yeah. They aren't the first to rip it off. West Virginia did the same thing earlier this year as well.
And Memphis...
What a jerk.
Clemson's WRs are pretty good
I'm not pulling for either team in this game, but I do think the refs are missing some obvious PI calls?
yeah, it's horrible
I would rather Louisville than Clemson now. The crooked refs are getting really bad. They are going to be over a hundred yards in penalties by half. Late hit on qb and out of bounds.
I prefer games called like this.
WWE meets college football.
WTF?
Stay classy, Klempsun
Ben Boulware is playing dirty, wow....
And for the most part getting away with it.
And
for the most partgetting away with it.Embarrassing to the ACC
Man, the officials in UL/Clemson are allowing a street fight, but Jackson has lost all compsure.
Missed most of the shenanigans. Just kept looking at score.
Clemson scores, this might be over. This is a coach's game. Dabo wins that most every time. Emotions are too high for Louisville.
It's okay..if they win they win. If the Hokies can make it to the ACC championship and face Clemson revenge will be that much sweeter. *cue diabolical laugh*
Yes! You have no idea how much I want to see the Hokies punch Clemson in the mouth on the field.
Night game versus Clemson in 2011 was awful. They were singing, chanting, and smoking cigars that night....at halftime! I was furious. They were only up like 10 at the half. We lost, but man that has stuck with me.
Ridiculous that boulware is still in the game after choking Jackson.
There's something wrong when targeting can get called from the booth, but a chokehold can't.
And Kirk probably won't mention it again.
Lame
Not sure how they can let that kid keep playing. All this talk about safety of the players and you see kids getting ejected for questionable targeting calls all around college football and then you're just going to allow a kid to choke an opposing player out on national television. Not a good look.
Watson is picking apart UL's defense. They need to wake up.
He's getting all day in the pocket.
Is Louisville "Clemsoning"?
Bobby Petrino knows the feeling of crashing and burning.
Savage
Clemson lost to teams they were supposed to beat.
Louisville is getting jobbed by the refs in a #3-5 matchup.
It's not really the same thing.
If I was the ACC I would fire these refs and try to find some people who know how to footballz.
I really hope the ref's get a call during halftime that says if they don't drastically improve for the second half they are all fired.
Wonder if they will even make a statement? Biggest ACC game this year and so many bad/non calls.
Saw video of the rear choke. Can a call be made from on high after the fact, but still during the game?
Missed PI's, followed by penalizing the L'ville kid for calling out the ref staring right at it. (You can't do that but it was legitimately baffling).
Choked out the QB, Boulware is still in the game.
Clemson kids are running their mouth every single play.
... I'm not sure I want to watch the second half. I don't have a horse in this race and I'm pissed off. No fucking adults in that stadium.
Some of the Fans just as bad
I was impartial to start, now I want Louisville to win.
Seriously. Fuck you, Clemson, for making me pull for a team coached by Bobby Petrino.
And for making me root for loserville under any circumstance. :-(
I hate all espn talking heads. So predictable regarding who they talk about and who they don't. Mark May especially can duck a sick...
+ 1
This much is clear... Lamar Jackson is not Michael Vick.
He's amazing and Louisville is getting jobbed pretty bad by the refs tonight, but yeah he is not Vick. The reality is there probably won't ever be another Vick.
Nailed it. Vick was being extremely humble.
How so?
Louisville kicker hasn't gotten the ball deeper than the 10. Ain't no Slye.
Louisville has no idea how to play from behind. And that includes the coaching staff. Some really suspect play calling.
Seriously, how is boulware still in this game? And not only in the game, but a focal point of the Clemson d that the commentators are lauding.
He's a great player, but dirty as hell. Probably the dirtiest player in the ACC.
The only candidate in CFB that could beat him out is the USC player who crotch stomped the Bama player.
Lsu lineman who cleaned out the Wisky DB after game clinching pick?
Minnesota LB who cheapshotted Penn State's kicker?
So Indiana is tied up (14 all) with Mich St. with 6 min left in the 4th.
Boo that, motherf#%^ers
God that is one classless fanbase.
So much for Jackson not being able to throw the ball, he has ripped off some nice passes.
Clemson is starting to Clemson. At this point would love to see it.
Losing to the #3 team in the country, even at home, isn't Clemsoning. Winning tonight, then losing at BC, next week is Clemsoning.
After being up 18 at halftime and getting the ball to start the 3rd, when you are ranked 5th yourself...just might be
So now Clemson is "Clemsoning"? Who's gonna "Clemson" harder I wonder!
Vick would have single handedly shreded both these teams.
I'm more interested in what Jerod Evans could do to these teams.
Indeed
Slightly OT: is kick catch interference still a thing? How does it work?
Maybe 3rd qtr Sugar Bowl Vick.
Jackson starting to put the hammer down. This kid is entertaining
#Clemsoning
Both teams have completely changed at the half. Louisville has finally found their footing, and Watson just can't seem to get a groove anymore.
Turnovers have also turned over.
Every throw he makes is on a rope.... that a UL player is holding half the time.
Wow...
I liked that graphic where Clemson had been shut out of every quarter but the second. Alas...
Chasing points there is classic Dabo idiocy. If Louisville scored a TD here, it's a two score game.
Not to mention the -1.5 line. Kick the PAT Dabo!!!!
That hook is looking good with Louisville driving down 6
Gotta get
some pointsa stop here.(I've noticed there seems to be a lot of extra people (in sundresses) on Clemson's sideline.)
I've still got a ton of respect for how Dabo handles things in Clemson, but I've lost all respect for their fan base tonight.
I don't see why people like him. He's an ass. Watch how he chews on the refs. Foo would never do that.
He certainly addressed the trash talk, there's been very little since the half. I also noticed the last time a Louisville player went down there was a little booing but it sounded like it was getting policed a bit.
I'm having a hard time justifying the street brawl that finished off the second half; maybe I'm should be just pissed at the refs. But I don't see myself pulling for Clemson any time soon after tonight.
Liberty 41, Robert Morris 7.
Transitively, we are a lot better than Bob Morris.
Letting them score was probably the best thing to happen right there. Three minutes. Somewhere in between the bad calls, classless crowd, and Ben Boulware, I began cheering for Louisville.
Better run some clock. Now the 2pt conversion makes sense...
I posted this in the other thread but I'm going to update it here. I'm pretty sure we're going to back into a top 25 ranking for a top 25 matchup with UNC next week.
So I think there's a chance we back into a top 25 rank in our week off, making this matchup sweeter for a primetime slot. This is all assuming we jump all the teams that lost and that nobody besides UNC jumps us, so it's just assumption.
Here are the teams above us currently in the AP:
17 MStU - L
18 Utah - L
19 SDSU - L
20 Arky - W
21 TCU - L
22 Tex - L
23 Fla - W
24 Boise - ?
25 Georgia - L
26 AzSt - L
27 Okla - W
28 NDSU - W
29 Cousins - W
30 VT
That's 7 losses in front of us, with Boise struggling with Utah State. UNC (and probably Colorado) will jump us but that still gives us the 5 spots needed to get to 25. Even if one of those teams doesn't drop below us, it's possible we can jump an NDSU if only because Tennessee is looking like a better loss. Also, it's a media poll and everyone loves creating ranked matchups.
Would NDSU really get ranked? Has that ever happened before? They beat Iowa, who stinks.
I think NDSU is just getting votes for show.
Hypothetically could an FCS team play in the FBS CFB? I don't think it would ever happen but is there any kind of rule preventing that because they're at a different level or would they be fair game for selection?
I think that's all covered in the Power 5/Group of 5 definitions. But...for sake of argument.....
I don't think an FCS team could overcome strength of schedule. They would only have 1 FBS team on their schedule, maybe 2 (but the good FCS schools don't do that). While they would be playing a few decent teams on the FCS level, the majority of their schedule is going to be among the bottom of the barrel.
Even if they win the hearts and minds (wallet$) of the media or coaches' polls, they'd never make it through the Committee.
I think it's unlikely that it plays out like this, but man oh man, please...
It worked out! Ranked 25. Now we get a ranked matchup on Saturday afternoon.
I'm sure ESPN had nothing to do with us squeaking into the rankings before playing UNC. /s
Man. Great game there. Sad that it ends on a momentary lapse in judgment by a WR who otherwise had played extremely well.
I would have been less heartbroken with an incomplete.
Man...they got me in that one.
You couldn't have asked for a much more entertaining slate of games today. Bravo, college football. Bravo.
The Gods of college football definitely delivered this weekend.
Wish all college football weekends could all be like this.
What a wild Saturday. You could basically find a good game from noon onward.
Are you allowed to wrap up the receiver before the ball gets there?
Rush the field, you "earned" it.
Officiating was piss poor the whole game especially in the secondary. Bummer that Louisville couldn't pull that out. If that #10 for Clemson isn't suspended for the next game, then I have no idea what to say. There is no way that is acceptable in any football game ever. It's deplorable and he needs to be punished to some extent.
I've always had a distaste for herbstreit, but I just lost a lot of respect for Chris fowler. This boulware bullshit has got me real pissed off.
Ok so Michigan State lost.
With TCU, Texas, SDSU, Utah, Georgia probably exiting the Top 25 and UNC, WVU and Oklahoma back in it, that leaves some room for VT to maybeee sneak in at 25 and make next week's game a ranked matchup. We'll see.
So glad we had a bye this week so I could pay attention to all these other great games. What a weekend!
I'd much rather beat Clemson in the acccg than Louisville, so there's that.
This time 10,000
"Dominant defense" graphic misleading; L'ville got more yards and more turnovers.
Good night, everyone.
Damn...he's still a little red.
Is he okay after the game? Looked like he burst something in his head, or it got replaced with a tomato or something.
It's because he has so many horseshoes shoved up his ass.
He really may stroke out one day.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty coached the Vols
Well, being at the Clemson Louisville game was a great experience, I would have preferred a different result. I will be *potentially* dealing with the hype train from their awful fan base for the rest of the year. FSU has the talent to upset them at Doak and/or hopefully we beat them in the ACCCG (pls let us make it)
Did it look as ugly (refs/players/fans) in person as it did on TV?
Yes, the fans booed all the injuries to Louisville players despite their players going down w cramps just as frequently when Louisville was driving. The game was chippy and poorly officiated, dumb penalties. The fans turn on their own players very aggressively.
How does the environment there compare to Lane?
They start big games pretty wild, it gets loud but rarely ever returns to that first drive form. It got really loud at the very end but for long stretches it went silent. The tailgating set up is really good but very expansive so walking around to visit other ones can be a pain. The fans are very spoiled and fair weather, very quick to turn on their players. Every big play by the other team only happened because the refs missed like three calls (in their minds).
I've been to many Clemson games, I like Lane's atmosphere better, especially during the good years. That said Clemson is great environment as well, especially since 2011 when they've been good.
Sounds like a good time, thanks.
I actually hope Clemson beats FSU, simply for getting one of our guys into the playoffs.
Also, Florida States D is going to get lit up like the 4th of July...
That was the best Clemson's offense has looked all year and they still scored four of their TD's on short fields. I think Florida State will get up for that game at home, but we will see. Also, I don't give a shit about an ACC team making the playoff unless it's us, except maybe Louisville, but never Clemson.
if it's not us I hope no one makes it. I don't think recruits think, "Hey i'm going to go to VT because at least someone from the atlantic makes the playoffs." Having the other teams be consistently better than us just makes the coaches job that much harder to recruit.
Yesterday was epic. UNC, Tenn, Clem, and PSU all had incredible finishes.
This week, in the "Things You May Have Missed" category:
Thanks for sharing. I did miss that in all the hoopla of Saturday's games.
Good to see sportsmanship and character are not at all lost.
Only at Clemson are they lost.
In a fairly officiated game, I think Louisville would have won by 2 TD's and Clemson would have had three players ejected from that game.
UT continues to get away with absurd things. Can't believe they won that.
What I find surprising is the (and this is neither a jab nor an insult) number of members on this community (and beyond) that are actually, really shocked that a number of games are called unfairly. As a Hokie, you'd think we should be well-versed and familiar with it. It happens ALL THE TIME. EVERY SEASON. Unless we literally have a way to change it, do you honestly believe anything is going to be done? No. You know. I know it. Everyone knows it. Can't do a damn thing except piss, moan and take it up the ass.
There are bad calls, there are missed calls, and then there was Clemson-Louisville. It really looked like the ref's were being paid to ignore things. How did they not do anything against Boulware when he CHOKED Jackson!!!
In the end nothing's going to be done. Even if there existed undisputable proof that that was the case, what do you honestly expect to be done? A hand slap. A verbal lashing. Perhaps a meager unpaid suspension. But that's it. No real, actual change.
...Aaaand UT gets GameDay for the 3rd time this year next week....
At least it's down at Texas A&M. I wasn't too fond of the idea of Gameday being at Bristol and then Knoxville within two weeks.
I feel for you. I am off work and won't really have to deal with it. They probably won't lose except when Bama thumps them and will stroll to SEC championship with a Bama rematch.
I think Texas a&m actually stands a good chance of beating Tennessee this Saturday. Solid defense, and anot offense that is pretty good when they get rolling. I'll definitely time in.
We have a better chance at beating Bama than we do A&M. We had Bama beat last year with 5 to go but couldn't hold them off. A&M plays a lot like we do, I think coaching wins out in that one, but honestly nothing surprises me this year.
How much did Butch Jones pay the voodoo queen to steal Les Miles luck? Tenn keeps winning on the flukes that made Les famous.
Stole his mojo.
We've actually always said that Butch was a poor mans Les Miles. They do a lot of the same type of stuff and if. Itching else they're both just really goofy people. Right now we're cashing in on a decade worth of shots to the nuts. Hopefully we have enough credit to pay the tab all the way through January.
Tyrod with a great opening drives against the Pats, and Eddie Royal just had a great grab for a da Bears TD.