Since its a short week - it's time to focus on Thurs at GT.
I haven't followed other ACC teams that much but saw that GT just beat UNC,
who was picked to go far in the ACC. GT is 3-0 so guessing they are at least decent
even if (1-2) UNC may be overrrated. Since our D has seen the triple option, they will likely match up OK.
Hard to compare -although we have alot of starters from last year, we did have the entire preseason to prepare,
the short week makes it even tighter.
Like most games this year, it look like things will come down to consistancy on STs and Offense.
The talent is there...just need to execute.
Like to hear some thoughts about the matchup in general. GO HOKIES!
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"the talent is there" uhhh..defensively YES. Offensively? not so sure about that. We have a slew of talented TEs on offense, but we're otherwise lacking somewhat on that side of the ball. We'll really need a mistake free game to get out of this one with a W. And with LT averaging 1.5 Picks per game we're going to REALLY need our defense to play solid assignment football.
I think this is the game where we truly see Loeffler's offense and how good we are offensively. It'll be a good challenge for Bud & co, no doubt, but I have faith in them to do what we need to win. This should be a very good game with big plays/special teams/lucky bounces likely determining the outcome.
If we go down by more than 7 at any point during this game, it is over. Sorry for the doom and gloom, but that's just the way that I see it.
Really? I think we can come back from that. Their offense is definitely good, but Foster has shown the ability to shut them down. Let's be honest, UNC's pathetic excuse for a defense held them to 28. We can definitely hold them below that.
I've seen nothing from our offense this year that makes me think we can come back from a 2 score deficit. My concern with GT is that they're so good at running the clock out. I have no doubt that Bud's defense will keep them in check and keep the score reasonable, I'm just concerned about those 11 min clock eating drives.
I really hope Loeffler proves me wrong and pulls the curtain off of an amazing offense on Thursday night, shows some new wrinkles, and dominates GT. If that happens, I will be the first to eat crow. Seeing us struggle mightily to score against a team that surrendered 34 to Ohio has me feeling very pessimistic right now.
Unfortunately, I'm right there with you.
5 days to prepare our team, which is riddled with freshmen who haven't seen GT's style of O is going to definitely show.
The defensive line is going to have to have to play their damn pants off (again) and we're going to have to create turnovers if we expect to take this one.
Riddled with freshmen? Pretty sure it's the opposite. We've got 2 freshmen corners who are both very advanced for freshmen, a senior-laden front and Kyshoen Jarrett (assuming he's healthy). We'll be alright on defense, barring any freak plays/busted assignments/missed tackles.
True, but I meant to touch on the Jarrett and Edmunds health issues moreso than the preparation. But I'll stand by my point that Collins, Hopkins, Maddy, and Gayle are going to have to control the line of scrimmage like they've been doing & hopefully they're rested up enough.
Paul Johnson has a propensity for attempting to exploit young players, so I'm hoping Facyson and Fuller are up to the challenge like they seem to have been all season.
I really hope he makes the mistake of trying to "challenge" Facyson with a slant or hitch route.
Yes please.
The 5 days to prepare isnt as big a deal. The team has been using Sunday practices to prepare for GT. Im more concerned with the rest of Jarrett and Edmunds.
The short week is a pretty big deal. We have gotten extra film watching in but you also need tons of full-speed reps against that offense. Still, it is nearly impossible to replicate the speed of that offense, as well as the technique they use up front, specifically on the veer blocking by the OTs. We basically have Monday and Tuesday to get full-speed reps and Wednesday will be a walk-through.
Fortunately, we have a front 7 that has all seen this offense multiple times (Not including our backups) and that should really help negate our disadvantage.
I'm actually quite relieved with the amount of experience we will have on defense that has faced this offense before. We've got 9 guys starting that have faced this offense at least twice. Tyler first saw the field as a GT specialist. Wilson and Collins have been GT specialists before. Kyle originally showed his potential against GT.
If GT wants to pass it, I'm fine with Kendall and Facyson being out there. They will be 1-on-1 all night and I like their abilities vs. GT's WR's.
Being from Georgia, I suspect Brandon Facyson has seen GT's O -- or several like it -- quite a bit during his HS days.
Kendall Fuller has Kyle as an informant.
Unless I'm forgetting someone, those are the only starting defensive freshmen. Everyone else has been here long enough to see their offense.
Normally I would agree with you but from the showing of last game our ST can possibly make some magic to really turn it around. The only thing we havent seen so far is a return for TD. Maybe that time has come?
Maybe I am mistaking my memory but dont we usually do a decent job of making GT turn the ball over with our defense?
Was at the GT/UNC game, wasn't overly impressed by GT on either side of the ball. Their O isn't as good as it has been the past couple of years. You'll hear a lot about Lee being a better passer than Washington or Nesbitt were but that still doesn't mean he's a GOOD passer. Lee is still learning the O and fumbling a lot so we need to jump on those when they happen. Their D is solid but not spectacular, they tackle well but they haven't had any playmakers emerge thus far. Also, it's looking like a starting safety and LB will probably be out Thursday.
I think if LT can limit his mistakes to 1 INT and a couple of miscues and we're able to get the ground game going a little, we'll win by a TD. Look for another sloppy game by both teams though.
GT lost three defensive starters against UNC. Maybe this helps us if they don't play or are dinged up. We are probably two TD underdogs so need a big game from the O and special teams.
7 - 7.5 dogs, depending on where you shop.
Just listened to the GT presser. They are lightening up their practices this week in hopes to get guys back for thurs night.
PJ in today's presser said they are taking items out of the playbook for this week and will tighten the reigns on Lee.
I don't trust him.
I thought PJ had a pretty small playbook to start with, how much can he really take out?
To stop GT you need a strong D front, that is no surprise. What I'm worried about if how guys are banged up from the Marshall game some. I know Jarrett (Rover) was hurtin there at the end, and that I saw Mr. J.R. slow to get up on some plays, but maybe he was just exhausted. On O, I saw Edmunds and Wang were hurt, does anyone know the status on these injuries or anyone else?
I see this game as either a disaster or a Hokie romp. No 20-17 this year.
I don't see us "romping" anyone at this point in the season, if ever...
It will come hokieman32, it will come.
BTW, did you see what I did there? I gave you your 32nd Hokie leg!
I get way too into these, but am proud to say I got my hundreth leg on the night of this years Alabama game.
Surely you're forgetting about or last regular season game?
So apparently, GT will be wearing a "throwback" jersey to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their field. Is there a way we can get one of these for LT3 to wear? QBs who the fans don't like tend to do pretty well wearing the other team's jersey.
interesting comment for the GT game... you may remember (and referencing) the 200_? game @ GT where Glennon's and another player's jerseys were stolen. Glennon was forced to wear a GT practice jersey the whole game with his name in sharpie. Classic ACC! GO HOKIES!
I'm pretty sure it was Tyrod that wore the other GT jersey
4 players, but they found the other 3's jerseys.
great memory... I thought there was a receiver . I dont remember the D wearing them. GO HOKIES
I know it was Glennon. The others were Chancellor, Flowers, and Tyrod. http://articles.dailypress.com/2007-11-02/sports/0711020045_1_virginia-t...
That Glennon jersey was actually on display in the Hall of Legends until about last week when they decided to renovate the room.
cool piece of memorbilia!
Glennon made the Hall of Fame! WOO HOO!
I posted some of this on an alternate thread, but its more appropriate here. GT's defense will probably attack us the same way as Marshall's and ECU's did, committing LB's, shooting gaps and crowding the line. There should be some underneath stuff open in bail-out coverages, and maybe some press man on our receivers to take the short routes away, esp. on third and short.
Logan will pass better than he did in the Marshall Monsoon game (unless there actually IS a cloud hanging over him) and we should see our offense move the chains in a ECU-like performance. I just hope we have a kicking game when things get crowded inside the 20.
If there actually is a cloud over Logan ("fair-weather" fans seem to notice one) then Loeffler can make good use of Logan's "intangibles"; the 25-carry, defense-resting, 260 pounds of awkward-running battering-ramness that can win a game like a crescent wrench can drive a nail.
Hoping for a better performance than @ECU.
ECU's D was much tougher on the run. Maybe VT figured some stuff out running wise after ECU.
I have heard no complaints about play calling so far this season. I think if we execute the plays that
are called and the D comes to play then there's a strong chance of a win.
ALOT less margin for error against GT opposed to Marshall. GO HOKIES!
I had some complaints about the play calling against Marshall. We ran that zone read all day and it never worked. It was like watching us last year. We heard how we were going to be a pro-style offense and we ran 9 of 87 snaps from under center. I want a identity for a change.
correction: I've heard one complaint about play calling.
what was pissing me off was the qb sneaks If your gonna let the qb run let him get under center. Its common sense
We ran zone read all day and didn't show any playaction off of that. I think this is the week we start seeing more of the playaction. Also, the weather didn't make the playcaller's job any easier. We did see a few good gains on zone read, but I'd say it was used more as a safe play that can be used to set up future opponents/drives for big gains.
My only complaint was calling a QB sneak from the shotgun on 4th & 1 in the red zone....I thought LT should have been under center.
You put LT3 under center on 4th and 1 and every single person in the stadium knows it's a sneak. I actually didn't mind the playcall there. Spread em out and keep the defense from stuffing 9 guys between the tackles. Just gotta execute better.
a sneak that rarely is stopped (another LT 'intangible')
Though the 4th&1 shotgun sneak was a bizarre and weak effort.
a sneak that rarely is stopped? that shit's been getting stuffed for a year and a half now.
right ... please see game winning TD and 2pt conversion v. Marshall.
That's not a QB sneak like you would expect when you need short yardage like a 3rd or 4th and 1. There's a big difference in what the defense is expecting.
(especially last year) its been the best option
no matter how obvious. But I would love to see
an 'over the top' attempt from Edmunds (or whomever)
-The running game has been less 'shut down' than last year at least.
Loeffler was at Florida while Tebow was there. Can I get a fake sneak - jump pass at the line?
I was totally expecting this on our Nth and goal at the 1 near the end of the game.
I may lose turkey legs on this but I have to say it. It goes without saying that we have very much a sub par performance from our WR group. With the recent production from Wille Byrn and Stanford with flashes from Coles aside . I am very much tired of watching Knowles in the starting role. Aside from his touchdown in the ECU game where he beat his defender for the touchdown. He doesn't commit to the kick returns like he needs to is SUPER unreliable in the passing game. I get sick and tired of him "alligator arming" passes, catching with his body and running half a$$ed routes.
Yeah I can't stand him. He's a slot receiver at best.
Nah I am right there with you. I have seen Coles try to step up after Bama especially after being benched. Knowles just doesnt seem to have a "want-to" for the ball. I dont care if you are undersized GO AFTER THE BALL and dont let anyone stop you.
I feel like he should be required to do T-time drills (or whatever they were) after practice to put some fight in him.
Did anyone see any of Marshall's pee-wee-sized WR's give up on a ball? I didn't. Even on Jarrett's pick, he just flat-out beat the WR. I see too much of Knowles giving up, rather than the defender beating him. Also, when you're on the first down line on 3rd and 18 in OT and the ball hits you in the hands.... gotta hold onto that. I think he's a good kid and he's got some great athletic ability, but yes, I definitely agree that there are better receiving options on the roster at this point.
Against WCU, both of Logan's picks were long balls to Demitri. Until he grows some balls and actually fights for the ball, we can't go deep.
There's really no way to go deep if you don't fight for the ball. Well, maybe there is...
Willie Byrn, giggity giggity!
we can go balls deep to another WR LOL possibly Stanford. Hes been coming on strong as of late
I tend to agree with knowles. He has speed, but he doesn't get to utilize it. I don't know if it is lack of confidence, but he doesn't have the moves to make anyone miss. I'm hoping it is a confidence issue.
Remember when we had freakish athletes at receiver that would go up and fight for the ball and win and then wouldn't block?
WHY CAN'T WE FIND A LEGIT RECEIVER???
Our receiver recruiting really has sucked ass.
After looking at the highlights that phreak put up, it looked like Mangus was our best receiver. Maybe the coaches were on to something there.
I think this is the most worried I've been about a game. Ever. UVA in 2010 scared me a little, but 38-0 bro.
When We Are On Defense
We have to bend and not break. They will move the ball on us some and if they don't, I would be absolutely shocked! This is an offense where everyone has to do their job and if they do, then we're fine, but one missed assignment can bust a huge play. So yeah, we have an experienced defense but our two Freshman corners still have to play well. I agree that if we go two scores down (espescially if after the half), we won't be able to come back on an offense that runs the clock like they do.
When We Are On Offense
I think Loeffler does open up the playbook more this week than he has all season. I don't think we'll see anything too fancy, but we will see more variety. Logan has to be smart. I think two or more turnovers gives us basically zero chance, so we could surivive with one but realistically we need zero. Georgia Tech is going to take away the run game because that's what works against us. Logan has proven that he is not as effective when there's no run game to back him up. He will have to make a lot of plays for us both with his arm and on the option read.
One thing I noticed with Marhsall was that Edmunds had much more success bumping his runs outside, than trying to run up the middle every time. I wouldn't be surpised to see some sweep plays or just plays that get edmunds out in space quickly.
Special Teams
We need to stay agressive. I loved the glimmer of Beamer Ball I saw this weekend. We need to keep that up. I don't expect blocks every game but the attitude needs to stay there. Returns need to get much better. I can somewhat excuse it agianst Marshall. When it's raining like that just get posession and give the offense a chance instad of fumbling it away. But we have to be more agressive and just get a positive return instead of looking to break the big one every time. Those come naturally when you do the right thing.
Most importatnly though we need a FG kicker. I don't care if Journell comes back or not. I don't know what he did but I'd much rather a kid get kicked off the team when necessary rather than continue to embarass a program, I don't care if he's an All-American or third string. If we can't take points when they present themselves this week, it's going to be a long night.
Conclusion
We are capable of winning this game. We know what GT wants to do and we've stopped it before. I think if we win this week, we start getting taken a bit more seriously. This is a tough turn around but this is a tough team. The key for me is the turnover battle, I think if we can win that then we will be in a good position to win this game.
Whatever Cody did it was pretty poor timing. (not that there's a good time to be suspended)
but, given his past, I think the ONLY reason he's still on the team is that other than Saturday
no one else has any experience. Frank's in a tough spot, but he usually makes the right call in these circumstances.
However it plays out, Frank will have our best and most appropriate option on the field. GO HOKIES!
The problem with the VT-GT game, is much like a rivalry game. It doesn't matter what the teams look like in games before or games after. Both teams are wanting to destroy the other, so there's really no calling anything from paper. We've gone in against GT when we were rolling offensively and ended up getting a nitty gritty win, or lost playing really close. They've done the same, where they've come in rolling offensively and ended up getting shut down everywhere. We've had years where the defense was sucking, but came up big in this game, and so have they.
This game, year in and year out, is a toss up at best, with VT pulling through more often than not. Short week for both teams, with potentially lost starters for both teams. It will come down to who wants the win more, which players want the win more, and who screws up less. Pray it's us...I see the D wanting to make up for the yardage and points they gave up against Marshall. Pick 6, 2 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, and MAYBE a blocked kick of some kind.
Offense, I see Mangus working his way to 100 yard game, whether or not Trey is in this game.
Kyle Fuller may be moving back to Whip for this game, per Andy Bitter. Can't say I saw that coming.
Daniel Crandall?
I want to say he played there in either '10 or '11 and did pretty well.
Its not a huge surprise. He played there last year against GT. His tackling skills are very useful. Coverage won't be as big of a concern throughout the game as tackling near the LOS
I can't disagree with this. Since GT has opened up their passing game a bit this year, I'd like to see us able to leave Kendall and Facyson on islands and focus everyone else on defending the run. Might be uninformed on my part, though, as I'm sure there are probably plays where the CBs need to break off and make a play, but I'm most comfortable with people who have seen this offense before being put in positions to make split second decisions. Kyle will be good at Whip, has been before, and GT's offense isn't so big and strong that he can't play LB against them.
Yeah, I can see how it would make sense. I know he played there (and was good) in 2011. Did they move him to Whip for the GT game last year too? Or did they keep him at corner?
It will be turn-and-run press man or cover 2 nearly every play. With our personnel it is probably more effective to go man against the pass but that takes away two defenders against the run, since they will be running with the WR. This makes it more difficult to defend the quick pitch, speed option and and pitch back in the regular option. With cover 2, the corners will be looking into the backfield and can come up in run support against the aforementioned plays.
Didn't get to see UNC vs GT but against Duke, GT threw 4 touchdowns and ran play action pass a little (I was like GT in play action, haven't seen that in the PJ era). Vad Lee seemed to be a QB that can do more than just run the option. GT hasn't had that since Reggie Ball. Against Nesbit and Washington the pass couple years it has been easy to just focus on beating the option, our corners might have to keep there WR assignments under closer watch than in past years until the QB crosses the line of scrimmage.
I'd take those passing stats with a grain of salt. Yes GT can throw it a little better than years past but hell Duke's passing defense just gave up 6 tds to Tom Savage from Pitt.
I would be shocked if their WRs can get open against our secondary based on what I saw against UNC.
Sounds like some of y'all were right about opening up the play-calling this Thursday.
http://fightinggobbler.com/2013/09/23/twitter-feed-virginia-techs-press-...
Maybe Attaochu will give us another first-down? Ah, 2011. I miss you.
I don't remember...did he get ejected for that? I know the rules this year, that would definitely be an ejection from the game.
He didn't get ejected from that game. I'm thinking he sat out some time in the game after though. Don't quote me.
In 2009, we punted in GT territory when we should have gone for it too many times.