It's hate week, and it's a good one. Virginia beat Florida State in Doak late Saturday night, a venue where they'd previously been 0-8. The Hokies didn't clinch the ACC Coastal, and there'll be a lot of Hoos creeping out of the woodwork. From my observations on Twitter most of you were rooting for Florida State. I was in the minority then. I wasn't actively rooting for Virginia, but I wasn't upset they won. Honestly, I spent most of the game relaxing and cackling on my couch as UVa and FSU each tried to bumble away the game, with FSU ultimately proving to be most futile.
Stereotypically speaking the Hoos and Hokies are polar opposites. Uncultured wild rednecks who take pride in always supporting their football team contrasted against the couth white-collar upper-middle class obsessed with the Director's Cup. We both think we're better than each other, and the hate starts there. However, this week we both have a few things in common. Virginia hasn't won anything, and neither has Virginia Tech, but we both have hope.
Virginia is playing with a lot confidence, wins agains Georgia Tech, Miami and Florida State are evidence of that. They can see a light at the end of the tunnel. They believe in Mike London, they believe they can beat us for the first time since 2003 and they believe they can represent the Coastal in the ACC Championship Game. After all the upsets this week Tech will most likely be ranked between 4th and 6th in the BCS; just some zaniness in rivalry week away from sneaking into the title game. Outside of Paris, France I'm hoping for all of the upsets.
"Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane," Red.
We've been letdown before. That's going to happen to us, fans of a team that prominently displays an empty trophy case in the football office, often. Part of the reason I wasn't rooting against UVa is because I wanted us to have another opportunity to play and beat a quality opponent. I had my eye on the crystal. A win over an 8-3 UVa would certainly improve our resume. Now, a loss would ruin what so far has been a memorable season and crush winning a championship of any kind. This week, it's all about beating UVa, and I fucking hate UVa.
Are some of you scared the unthinkable will happen and we'll lose this game? Are you worried that we'll miss on more recruits to London if we do? Will you be able to handle the consequences of not being top dog in the Commonwealth? As I watched that ball move end over end and pull to the left of the post my answers were yes, yes and no, but just for a moment. It would have been easier for us if UVa choked in Doak, limped in and out of Thanksgiving weekend, and maintained the status quo.
I don't think cruising in a low rider would be the Frankinator's style. In other news I picture Dr. Dre, Snoop and Em in my head riding around in a low rider, rapping their verses and reminding everyone that they still run the game.
But fuck that, I want this game to mean something more than a trophy for both teams. I want the loss to hurt that much more for the Hoos. I want TheSabre.com to be excited this week, so they can't hide behind their bullshit "we only care about sports that don't matter" line for the next 52. I want to take their best shot and stand tall so they know without any uncertainty they're just second best. I want the Hoo's hearts to be full when they wake up Saturday, and punishing Logan Thomas runs and brutal tackling to squeeze them empty for bedtime. I want Virginia's last breath to be their most difficult, and for us to be the ones kicking it out of them.
Comments
Well writ, get it done
BDozerVT
Awesome article.
I was pulling for UVA as well. Not because I picked them to win in my family and friends pool but because I felt the same way as you and LT. I want the game to mean more. Not only to make a win sting that much more for the Hoo's, but because if 2007 ever taught me anything, its that BCS chaos can and WILL happen.
If UVA had lost last night, I was going to get started on my ACCCG video. I have been DVRing each game in full HD, had an awesome soundtrack picked out. I also wanted enough time to get it done by the 28th. No way I can work on it now and jinx us. The soundtrack isn't very fitting either since it was designed around us being the underdog. I get the feeling Clemson will fall to USC and the media hyping the game as if Clemson can pull off the 'upset.'
Either way, the next few weeks will be pretty awesome.
Hmmm.
Well, you guys know I'm kind-of an anomaly, at least around here. I don't hate- can't hate. I'll root for my Hoos over VT any day, but I honestly and truly want both programs to achieve stellar heights.
It's conflicting. Those of you who remember me from the beginning of the season remember I rooted for VT to go all the way to the NCG. Beamer ain't gettin' any younger, and I think our program's on the upswing enough that we'll start contesting VT honestly, like the way it used to be. I want to shut those SEC jackoffs up, and hard. I wanted to show the world what "ACC cupcakes" can really do.
I still do; but now, you know, the Hoos are right in the way of the Hokies to get there. And I sure don't want us to lose. I think the Hokies'll be the hardest game we've had, bar none. I don't think the actual Hokie team (and certainly not the coaches) will fall into the pride-before-the-fall trap that doomed Miami, Georgia Tech, and FSU. Compared to the beginning of the season, Virginia Tech has solid- damn solid- play. Few, if any, exploits to get at. We lost our best past rusher last night, and we can hold tight- but we almost gave up the game last night on a blown cover in the secondary, and only by the grace of God did Chase Minnifield make that tackle at the one-yard line. Virginia Tech won't let you recover from that; you give them that opening, and it's over.
But, I dunno. It's college football, guys. Hate? I don't hate anyone from Virginia Tech. I don't think I'm better than them. I told you, I'll be the first one to defend Virginia Tech from all those SEC assholes. Most Virginia fans I know would cherish a win versus Virginia Tech mostly from this sort of attitude- I know I get tired of tirelessly defending Tech and convince my friends up here in Hooville about why it's a great thing for two Virginia teams to dominate college sports, only to see things like this pop up telling me I hate Tech, I think I'm better than them, about how much it'll mean for you guys to grind us into the dust, etc. Maybe it's worse because, you know, I met Frank Beamer; the man's a helluva guy. And if anyone here remembers the circumstances that led me to meet him, then you'll know why it's so tough to hear things like that, because he did more to exemplify that the Commonwealth is big enough for two great teams- and that we're all Virginians, first and foremost- than anyone else, ever.
But, y'know, just my whiny two cents. Carry on with the hate.
lunch pail
I hope you meant white-collar and not white color. But it is great that the VT-UVA game finally means something, outside of pride. So let the hate continue!
One reason to hate UVA is that the university had to set up a video begging students to come back for the game after Thanksgiving. An in-state rivalry for a shot at the ACCCG and you actually have to ask fans to not forget to go to the game?! ARE YOU SERIOUS BRO?!
I'm going to pass the time during my week by listening to Colin Cowherd rant on UVA.
Don't forget to supplement Colin Cowherd with this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1YKxNyVWig
Great video and all I have to add is, hide your wife, hide your kids, hide your husbands cause LT3 is rapin all Wahoos on Saturday. Also, I would love to see Logan truck Mike London.
Typo, Big Whoops!
Yes, I did, I had spotted it before I published but I guess it didn't save. That's what I get for writing at 1:00 - 3:30 AM.
UVA Hate Week- nicely done Joe
My hatred of UVA cannot be matched, except of course by the feelings I possess towards Miami (funny- I was accepted there for undergrad but still possess a personal loathing for their existence). It really stems more from fans than any singular event on the field. Growing up in Richmond all I heard about was how Tech players were a bunch of no good thugs and would never have the qualities possessed by UVA players or coaches and how VT was a remedial school. From a young age my dislike of UVA formed, even when I didn't care about college sports. Funny how this works out because apparently you just have to possess the most basic cognitive processes to qualify as a football player at UVA (see Moses).
I know that the UVA fanbase, like ours and any other school's, possesses a few bad eggs and that I just happened to be exposed to some of them in my youth. I know Mike London has done a hell of a job repairing the damage done by Al "I love Bellicheck and Parcells' balls" Groh (though I do think that London is saddled with an Administration which will never truly allow UVA to compete in football on a perennial basis and will be the reason he eventually bolts for a much better job, such as the Ohio State job if Meyer turns it down and Fickle is let go). I really hope UVA does well and the game becomes pertinent again much like it will be on Saturday. That being said I never want the game to be close. The last ten years have allowed Tech to open a gap in competition and I personally love going into the game feeling that we should win from beyond a 'fan' standpoint. My worst memory of a VT/UVA game was 2007 when they had the lead for seven minutes. My favorite was watching Marcus Vick systematically destroy their defense, pride, and begin the slide which cost Groh his job. Also Randall hitting Hyman for six and a goal line stand in 2004. All due respect to TJ's University, but I loved seeing that orange 'T' painted next to the V and crossed sabers.
COWHERD
In summation, I turn to the famous rant by Colin Cowherd: "You THINK you're committed. Go drink Zima with some wine and cheese at your tailgate. Va Tech will punch you right in the neck!"
Cannot wait until Saturday to take what's ours (hopefully) > another Coastal Division Championship!