Last year we thought GT was a hell of lot worse then they actually were and ended up losing. So with Pitt, Duke, and UVA still on the schedule, which team do you feel like is the one we have to watch the closest? We aren't going to sleep on Miami or GT.
For me its Duke. They always play us tight, and Cutcliffe, plays us tight every year.
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I definitely agree it is Duke this year.
Chop Block U.
We aren't sleeping on GT. The post is about the teams that look terrible, but might be able to pull out a victory if we are caught napping. AKA GT beating us last year.
GT is one miracle catch, and one 2 point coversion away from being 6-0. Definitely not struggling man.
With Duke being a night game, Im not concerned as much.....
GT is going be the tricky one in my books
I think the comments from Pitt last year is going to have the same effect at UNC. Fuente has shown he doesnt like excuses and they will be ready.
The Pitt section of Power Hour 2.0 should be required viewing Pitt week. That is going to be after the @Miami and @GT stretch. Itll be easy to let our guard down that week.
Trick question: BC was a trap game. We skunked them last year and were coming off of a let down against Clemson. And BC has shown itself to be a middle of the pack ACC team, not the doormat we expected based on last year's result. Duke, Pitt, and LOLUVa might seem like trap games, but we have good reasons to get up for each of them:
Duke - played us tight last year (3 point win, if I remember correctly). Grayson Allen is an ass.
Pitt- played us tight last year (again, only a 3 point win). Coach is a douchenozzle.
LOLUVa- rivalry game. The streak must be maintained. Their entire student population is one big ball of douchebaggery. Lastly, at this point we will be one win away from a return to the ACC game and a chance at the Orange bowl. Screw this up and we plummet to a crap tier bowl.
Besides, the coaches are hammering home that there is absolutely no room for error with Miami somehow managing to keep their perfect record intact week to week. If we drop another game, we don't control our destiny and need drastic suckage from GT AND Miami to win the division.
Pitt is brutally bad this year. I haven't seen them have a pulse anytime I have caught them on the tube.
And yet, they managed to beat Duke. Personally I think that says a lot more about Duke than Pitt.
Based on what I saw last week, I think Pitt has a VERY legit chance vs LOLUVA, especially since they are at home.
Obviously Miami isn't a trap game and neither is GT, i'm never comfortable when we play them. I think it's Pitt. Only because of scheduling. Coming off of what are "on paper" our two most difficult games, and the UVA game being on the otherside, it just feels like a classic trap game. Also looking at Pitt's remaining schedule UVA, UNC, Us, and Miami, we could be that bowl eligible game for them so they are sure to get up for that game.
I have been saying Duke, but I agree with your points. I don't think Duke is as good as I thought they were in the beginning of the year, and it's a night game so I think players will be up for it, and though we don't go head to head as often with Duke in recruiting, there is still the NC2VT angle. IF we make it through Duke, Miami, and GT it wouldn't be hard to overlook Pitt as they are terrible this year and it will feel like we have the division wrapped up. Hopefully having it at home and using how crappy Nardouche handled defeat last year will be enough to motivate our guys. I don't think UVA will ever be a trap because it's just too fun to beat the crap out of them.
So I would pick Pitt as well as our trap game. GT is my pick for our toughest game left, though it doesn't count as a trap.
I agree the one thing I like is getting Duke and Pitt at home, I guess I feel a little more "safe" in a trap game when it's on home turf. I also agree GT scares me, I haven't seen enough to get a feel for them only part of the UNC game (not a great indicator), the Miami game, and some of the Wake game. Miami is going to be brutal as well. In other talk I really want Duke as well for NC2VT, also I want NC St. to win out for the possiblity of Beating the major 4 programs in NC.
I think the only game coming up that I would label as a 'trap' is GT. I know you don't have them listed as a potential trap, but that's the one game I'm most worried we lose. We can't let them get an early lead and shorten the game. The second that happens, we're in for a very long night. Unfortunately, with our inability to start fast, that's exactly what we're setting up to see happen. I actually believe we're going to lose that game.
The others?
Duke - they're just bad this year. Cut is a great coach, but he just doesn't have the horses to compete. Their wins were all over teams who have shown to be nothing of consequence this season (their best win is either NW or UNC), and the wheels have come off a bit over the last few weeks. We'll get their best shot, but we should be able to put them away.
Miami - By no means will we be overlooking this one. This is our opportunity to get that program statement win, and this Miami hog has been fattend up nicely with miracle wins over average at best programs the last month or so. They are ripe for a curb stomping, and I think Fuente has the team to provide it.
GT - ITS A TRAP! Coming off the Miami game against this team? Yeesh
Pitt - if we thought Fuente had a score to settle with Fedora, I look forward to the schooling he'll give Nardouchy this night.
UVa - Rivalry game. They'll be battling for bowl eligibility and we'll have a division title on the line. Don't think we'll be overlooking this one.
Duke hung in there with Miami. They didn't get creamed, they had a pulse and played really well. No one is sleeping on GT, everyone knows they are a thorn in our side.
To be fair everyone has hung in with Miami.
This^^^^^^
and sadly all the pundits say they're bak...
meh, I'd rather have a Miami who gets all the hype with none of the apparent skill than one that is a legitimate contender. I think we're still maturing as a team and are not ready to go toe-to-toe with a playoff team (see: Clemson three weeks ago). This version of Miami, however, gives us all the press of beating a top tier team with only having to beat a slightly above average team that has eeked out wins over less than stellar opponents.
Dude you hit the nail on the head. Miami is good but not great; maybe even worse is they're just plain lucky. Just as easily as they're undefeated they could have two losses, one vs FSU and GahTech. The catch vs GahTech was nothin but luck, maybe some intense concentration but eff Miami it was bs luck. I truly believe we will beat Miami, hopefully an undefeated Miami like y'all said above to bolster our SOS and perception. GT is scary for yalls reasons above that we love to start slow so hopefully our D and Special teams show up
Miami's last 4 wins:
Duke - Duke sucks. I mean, Miami only had on TD from inside the red zone. The rest were Duke break downs.
FSU - Miami wins on a TD as the clock was running down...against the worst FSU team since at least before Bobby Bowden
GT - everyone thinks it came down to that tipped ball completion on the last drive. I think it came down to a failed GT interception in the end zone early in the game. Either way, Miami got lucky here.
Syracuse - This was a game until the last couple drives. No shame in a win like that...unless it's against Syracuse. Yes, they beat Clemson, but most of that work was done by an injured Bryant playing on top of the indian burial ground that is the carrier dome.
I am hopeful we can handle GT. I have no doubt we can handle Miami.
Agreed on all points. Miami's ranking is on completely shaky ground right now. What's their best win, GT? That was a miracle. After that? FSU? Syracuse? Its just not that great a schedule. They have yet to be legitimately challenged this year, and Fuente is the coach to do it. If we come out swinging, we could win big.
And while we would get humbled in the playoff, I would love the opportunity to be in it. Being there comes with a lot of swag, swag that we could turn and show to all our recruits to help make our recruiting message that much better. Plus, it further emphasizes that we are a place where you can go and win. Clemson didn't build their program overnight. They got curbstomped by WVU in the 2012 Orange Bowl. However, just being there got them all the credibility they needed to build what they are now.
Did you see that 4th and 7 that PJ went for against Wake? Wake's D-line blew past the line of scrimmage and sacked the QB for like 8 yards. Now I know Wake went on to lose, but if Wake's D-line can pull that off even once a game against GT, I can only imagine the kind of night our 4-8 defense will have with them.
I hope so.... But that team just always gives me the uneasies. Doesn't matter how good we are or how bad they are or what 3rd or 4th string QB, A back and B back they are using... They seem to always find a way.
Paul Johnson is 3-6 against VT, so not "always"...
I asked this to French and he thought it was Duke and I'm going to the Duke game. VT is 0-3 in the last 3 years that I've attended games in person that includes Miami Thursday night game in 2014, Duke in 2015 OT game and last year's Georgia Tech game...this is a bad streak for me...
Fuente breaks such streaks
You should probably just stay home
I got you fam. The only game I've ever been to that we lost was UNCheat 2009. I'll be there this weekend.
My biggest fear is that we beat Miami, lose to GT, and don't win the Coastal. So yeah...GT. If we lose to any of those other teams, I can easily accept that we didn't deserve it. But GT just has the ability to spring up and get you at the worst time.
I'm glad we are playing them after Miami!
Of the games listed, I'd say Duke since the Miami game follows...therefor it fits the mold of trap game.
I don't think the coaches or players will overlook any teams remaining, there is too much a stake each week.
As a sufferer of Hokie fan PTSD, ALL OF THEM.
This is the most correctest answer
Hear. Hear. This team needs to get better on offense. Period. The performance on Saturday was a little bit smoke and mirrors. The defense was really groovy, but the offense HAS GOT TO figure out a way to run the ball.
I was at the game, and didn't sit in my usual spot. We were section 9 close to the field. Based on body language and lip reading, the Heels pretty much packed it in at 14-0. Lots of finger pointing, and a couple of times Heel assistants had to step in between Heel players who were getting ready to go to blows on each other. ECU could have made a game of it with these Heels in the 2nd half.
I gave you a leg because we do need to get better on offense. However, if there is one thing I have learned from watching Fuente coach, they use the run to setup the pass in way less traditional ways. Unless we have a Saquon Barkley at RB, expect the running game to be smoke and mirrors.
And here I was thinking LOLUVa was the only team relying on smoke for the running game
Coleman Fox?
Big time impact player for sure
I don't see us losing any of the three "trap" games for the same reasons listed by hokie07ME and Alum07. Wait, can we actually have a year where we win all of the games we're supposed to win??
However, GT just scares the crap out of me. Over the last 10 years, last year gave me the least amount of anxiety going into the game and we layed an egg. Think we beat the U and really struggle in Atlanta the week after. It'll either be a tight win or an incredibly frustrating loss IMO.
Yeah GT is always a tough out but we do have this stat going for us...We have never lost twice in a row to GT since joining the ACC.
Since 2008 (VT had beatdowns in 05 & 07), the games have all been within 11 points, with games decided by 7 points or less 6 out of the past 9 years.
GT hammered us up front on the dive last year. I feel like Timmy and Ricky are a much more physical interior presence on the DL this year. We will need Motu to have a strong game in this one as well. Shore up the interior, If play sound assignment footbal,l and punish the QB when he decides to keep it, I think we can keep the option in check. Every possession on O has to be productive and result in points. Really hope we can avoid the slow start in this one and get them out of their gameplan early.
I'm thinking Bud may use Mook similar to how he used Kendall (or was it Kyle?) against them a few years ago where he played like a pseudo-linebacker.
It was Kyle, and I was thinking we might see the same thing. Mook is made for that role.
Yep, Kyle...the glorious ref hi-five game.
Timmy and Ricky make me feel a little bit better about this thing. If they can shut down the middle, I have more faith in Mook and the Edmunds's's's's and company blowing up their 12 year old looking quarterback and keeping the edge under control.
If #4 and #8 can blow up the guards GT's entire playbook is pretty much trashed.
The problem I see will be when they come out for a breather - which they will given GT's TOP. It only takes one missed assignment for GT to score and they are really good at making you pay. I believe that Foster will have to sub them one at a time as we cannot afford for them both to be on the bench.
You are correct but literally every team says this every game every year since Paul Johnson has been there. Stop the dive, play your assignment, yadda. They win 9-10 games every year when they don't treat the ball like a hot potato and fumble 100 times. They should be undefeated right now. It's not just "stopping the dive" or "playing assignments".. its defending the entire field on every play, physically getting off cut blocks for 60 minutes, not missing a tackle because their offense lives on that, defending their B backs and WRs sneaking out into open space when their QB is about to get sacked, etc. GT should win 3-4 games every year being so one dimensional in a P5 league, they really should. A bunch of 2-3 star players that are no real threat consistently in the passing game- in the ACC, that should be 3 wins. the issue is that they run that offense so good and so fast, common sense "shut down the dive" is not enough to beat them. CPJ calls a great game- like always its him vs. Bud in a chess match- VT will win if they fumble 3 times.. if not, I hope Cornelson can put up 31-35 points.
Lol I feel like somebody always finds a way to justify every game that we are not favored as a "trap game" for one reason or another.
Okay, but "trap games" are games the team in question might lose while being favored to win
Given that Duke played us tight last year when we were supposed to run away with it, I don't think we'll over look them.
Unfortunately, out of the games left to play (not counting GT and Miami because they aren't trap games), I'm going to have to say UVA.
It's a weird Friday Night game at UVA. UVA has shown instances of quality football which shows they're capable, but then they shit the bed like they did vs Boston College... If UVA has a tough stretch and loses a bunch of games, I could see us going down there under-estimating them, thinking they'll roll over
FTFY. I honestly believe that LOLUVa will be on a 0-3 streak when we face them. Maybe they beat Pitt this weekend, but I don't see them overcoming GT, UofL. or Miami. They tried to pull the patented NC State "How to go bowling without even trying" method, but couldn't pull it off against BC. Maybe they get a post season thanks to Pitt being Pitt, but they certainly don't get a win in the month of November.
Unfortunately, I think the Hoo's beat UofL this year. Just my opinion.
If they get past Pitt it'll be fun to watch them shit the bed against a 9 win G5 team in December.
loluva's the only ACC school that I would wish that upon. For literally (and I do mean literally) everyone else I root for the conference to not embarrass itself.
fuckU VA.
well I will say that i'm looking forward to watching Pitt try to run on our defense
I think it's The Bees not because we will overlook them, but because it's always a difficult pain-in-the-ass game no matter how bad they are or how good we are.
I think you might be confused on the definition of a trap game...
This upcoming Miami game is reminding me of last Friday when Giles faced Glenvar. Glenvar was undefeated 8-0 and being high and mighty going into the game while playing a easy schedule and once they played actually competition they got punch in the face the whole game and they got humbled so Tech is going to win the Miami game
It's been a few years since I followed Three Rivers District football (or played in the TRD), does Giles still run the single wing?
Duke no question. It's the only one left we have no reason to really get up for, and the best defense left besides Miami.
I vote Pitt. Others have been saying Fuente will have the players motivated after Nardouche's trash talk from last year, but I don't buy that. It's immediately after two tough season defining road games in a row, and right before a rivalry game, easy to overlook. Pitt is not good, but that's because they're young, which means they could suddenly start playing okay at the end of the season and catch us off guard.
I would agree with you, but Pitt is senior day. Highly doubt the seniors let this Pitt team come into their house and ruin it. Not that it couldn't happen, but I'm gonna say:
1. Bees
2. Duke
3. Pitt
Just because the Bees give everyone a fit with their stupid chinball offense. Never count out a Coach Cut team. Eat you know what Pitt.
I don't think the bees should count though. It would be an upset, but it wouldn't be a "trap game". Anyone who's paying attention can see they're a competitive team.
But if they are a competitive team it wouldn't be an upset.
I'm not saying they don't have a good team, but coming off what is most likely going to be an emotional, hard fought game against Miami, having to prepare for the Bees offense is going to be hard. It's hard anytime you play them. It's definitely a trap game in that it's a team we should beat, but may have a hard time doing so.
Are you kidding?
They're ALL trap games.
That's why the focus needs to be on consistency and starting with an 0-0 record every week.
No team can be overlooked. Ever. Which is why Clemson lost to Syracuse.
Agree - The next game is always a trap game.
It's a weird place to be, to sit here in late october, and look at the schedule, and realize that
a) every game left is winnable.
and b) if we win the rest of them (knock on wood) we'll be in the ACCCG,
and c) said ACCCG will be a de facto CFP quarterfinal.
It's been a while since we've had 'all to play for' this late in the year.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't we most likely go to the ACCCG if we lose to GT and win the rest? Assuming GT loses to Clemson this weekend we would have the tiebreaker over Miami and GT would have two losses (Clemson and Miami).
If we lose to GT, we'll ALSO have two ACC losses...
Tiebreakers only work if teams end up with the same record. Miami is still undefeated.
Maybe it's better to set aside the speculation about various scenarios, and keep the focus on where it belongs. Winning this week.
Winning this week's game is how you get to championships in football.
I've watched every Duke game this year and went to a couple. Jones is a good qb but his receivers can't catch and his o-line can't pass block. I'm not sure why Duke doesn't try to run it 75% of the time. They have two great backs and the line seems to get some push when they run. On the other side of the ball, their defensive line is not very good and we *should* be able to run at will.
If the Hokies show up, we win by three scores. I'm more worried about UVA.....
I hope so. Which guy is will?
All this talk about miami and the new found confidence from destroying UNC clearly makes Duke the trap game. The Miami talk takes the focus away from Duke. Whipping UNC can lead to letting your guard drop down against the next inferior opponent. This feeling reminds me way too much of the feeling I had before last year's Syracuse game. Thankfully this game is at home and not a pit of dispair. I'll never be fully confident before a game until we get through a season without a head scratching loss.
Yes