Virginia Tech won 11 football games in 2011. They won the ACC Coastal Division. They beat #20 Georgia Tech in Atlanta, they blew out rival Virginia, ranked 24th, 38 to nil in Charlottesville. They went 4-0 against a feather soft non-conference schedule. They are ranked 11th in the final BCS standings. They kept it close against Clemson for two halves, and got paddled behind the shed in crunch time. They were heavily favored in the ACC Championship game, and got crushed. Their fans have reputation for traveling well. They have history in New Orleans. They're going to the Sugar Bowl.
Boise and Kansas State fans are disappointed and outraged, media personalities are, to put it mildly, critical of the Sugar Bowl's selection, and are putting the Hokies under the microscope.
No one likes being passed over. Whether it's for a promotion you think you've earned, being picked last back in the day on the playground or on selection Sunday. We've been there too Hokies; angry and upset at the system. Does anyone remember the Hokies having to settle for the Gator Bowl after the Fiesta Bowl picked a lower ranked Notre Dame in 2000? Boise and K-State both had fantastic seasons, but they weren't perfect, and neither was Virginia Tech. If not undefeated, teams are open to criticism and subjectivity, and a free pass isn't a guarantee even if they are.
The BCS is not fair, but it's not meant to be fair. It's a flawed system used to stage a national championship game. *That's it. BCS at-large spots don't go to the best teams. It's all about selling tickets, getting viewers and making money. The Hokies do those things very well. The powers that be agreed upon a set a rules, Virginia Tech qualified as a BCS at-large candidate, and are going to the Sugar Bowl. Deal with it.
via @Hokie_Wartooth who you should follow on Twitter, and look for his work in our Pictureboard.
*Yes, I know conferences uses BCS rankings to break divisional ties and the rankings outside numbers one and two are used to determine how non-BCS and BCS teams automatically qualify for the BCS.
Comments
Flawed System for sure
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=dw-wetzel_football_hosta...
Here is a well articulated article describing all those flaws.
Gator Bowl Features
two 6 - 6 teams, Florida and tOSU. They will split $1.6 million more than the Las Vegas bowl Boise St. is in. The BcS is a flawed system designed to make sure the Stonecutter's keep their money. Focusing hate on VT for this means you are doing exactly what the Stonecutters want you do to. Thank you Stuart Mandel and Dennis Dodds for helping keep Murica stoopid. GFY, like a lot.
This is America
What bothers me a little bit about Boise State is they hold out a helping hand and expect it to be filled. Every up and coming program, that's now an anual winner, has built their reputation and earned respect by winning games over a long sustained period of time. I'm not saying Boise State hasn't had a fantastic program, but they've only been playing in I-A since 1996. In the grand scheme of things they're still a small school, a young program with a small number of fans, in a terrible conference. They win a lot of games, and eventually if they continue to win and invest into their program they could be as appealing to the bowls as a Florida or Ohio State. Those schools have been in business for a longer period of time, and as such they have better partnerships (conferences) that have negotiated more lucrative deals with bowls.
Success on the field has less to do with what bowl games teams go to than the money they bring in. It's not "fair", but it is what it is. I definitely understand your point that the MSM is overlooking the Florida-Ohio State scenario, and they are also overlooking 7-5 Western Kentucky not going to a bowl while 6-7 UCLA is.
Boise State doesn't have to participate in the BCS, they could go out and strike their own deal. They can try to be more successful in upgrading to a better positioned conference. It's a free country. As much as they think they're special, they're not. They're going to have to take the same long road every other school has traveled, or is traveling, to get to the top of the mountain.
Haters gonna hate.
Just reply with this as you book your hotel in NOLA
Dodd = dickhead, Mandel = Andy Reid's cheesesteak buddy
Funny- douchebag Dodd didn't step up for Virginia Tech in either 2000 (Fiesta Bowl snub) or 2005 (or Miami who was ranked seventh in the BCS and VT tenth- BOTH snubbed) or even 2006 (when VT was leapfrogged by Wake after the beatdown we gave them and their field goal game against GT in ACCCG for the final spot in the at-large pool, though they won the ACC) but he bashes the program NOW after those snubs? Though our choice was debatable, Michigan's was outright horrendous and NO ONE calls them out on it? Frank should post the tweets and articles on the board in the locker room and if we can steam roll Big Blue, give the media the game ball and tell them to eat refried shit then take a long walk off a short pier with ankle weights on as a present from the team. Same to Herbstreit then destroy his logic about stating that VT was the only BCS team to schedule cupcakes. Didn't the #2 team schedule two FCS teams and two others from the Sun Belt? But its cool- powerhouses can do that. Sorry for the rant.
Dennis Dodd
does indeed have a penis for a head.
I embrace the hate
Why not have some good old fashioned hate? Give me a month full of flogging from every sports columnist that wants to preserve the integrity for the little guy and how many travesties were created for VT. Let every sportscaster justify that Michigan deserves to be there because they have a strong fanbase and then let the same sportscaster blow a gasket yelling the only reason VT is there illegitimately is because they have a strong fanbase.
I honestly hope that there are tons of articles out there telling the team how bad they are. I like how we match up against Michigan and the more negative attention we have for the game the more eyeballs will be watching as we make all the columnist shut up.
Personally I have to say I've been awarded opportunities that maybe someone else deserves more but I take advantage of those opportunities instead of lamenting "oh why me? why am I getting this really good thing". Some of the fanbase is "Draking" too much and needs to realize getting what you want is a good thing.
Let's Go Hokies in the Sugar Bowl! Everyone else just has to deal with it.
Absolutely
Spot on, Joe. The media was campaigning for a week BEFORE the selections that Michigan, and their fans, should head down to New Orleans. If the Hokies felt disrespected before the UVA game, they should be LIVID by the time this one kicks off. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the year that we don't come out flat for a bowl game. The only way to prove that you belong in a game is to destroy the team that you are lined up against.
Another point:
The ONLY team that has a real complaint here is Oklahoma State, because they lost a chance at a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. I hate the BCS as much as anyone, but the BCS didn't screw up the Sugar Bowl. Before there was a BCS, the bowl games picked teams that would give them a good game, full seats, and TV revenue. In the Sugar Bowl, and only the Sugar Bowl, how is that different than this year?
And yes, I now realize that I restated everything that was in the article. Should have read the whole thing before commenting. I'm embarrassed.
Yep.
Bring on the hate! I love it.
It gives the team passion and drive (UVA, anyone?). It gives the fans passion and drive, too. We'll be crazier, more pumped, and prouder of our school, team, and football tradition than any other fanbase this bowl season because we've got something to prove.
HokieNation will make a big statement on January 3rd, just like I think our boys will on the football field.
All this hate adds up to one heck of a showdown in New Orleans.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
On a side note, I love not having to play the Big East for the umpteenth time. I hate the Orange Bowl. Bad things happen there.
Unnecessary
Hokie Nation shouldn't have to defend itself to anyone. We had a good season. People are bashing the Hokies because we got blown out in our conference title game, but so did Georgia. I don't hear anyone ragging on them for that. Neither Kansas State nor Boise State play a conference championship game, nor did Alabama..Michigan either! At least we got into ours! Kansas State isn't first in it's conference, so why should the second team from the Big 12 get the Sugar Bowl over the Hokies? They're 10-2! Boise State couldn't even win the Mountain West! How many ranked teams did Boise State play? One. I don't hear outcries for 10-2 TCU who at least managed the TOP of the Mountain West. How many ranked teams did TCU play? One. How many ranked teams did the Hokies play? Three, and won two (I'm talking strictly regular season here since the Mountain West can't be bothered to have a conference championship). The Hokies are 11-2! How about you gripe about Alabama sitting pretty after doing less work? Michigan's a two-loss team (to one that wasn't ranked). I don't hear anyone complaining about that. However, ten of the 12 teams Michigan played are going to bowl games, so that proves they have a good record after a good schedule.
If you've got a problem with it, take it up with the system, not the team. Honestly? The best someone can do who has a problem with it is not watch;That'll show 'em, but at this point? It's our name that's up there in ink & there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it. Hokies play better when we're down anyway.
Personally I'm gonna get a huge kick out of kickin it with Mich fans. Geaux Hokies
That's right!
Plenty of flaws out there to go around. If they say we don't deserve we will just have to show them. This is not about one season anyway. It is a culmination of 10 plus win seasons and a travelling fan base. Hell yeah we deserve it.
As a Michigan fan I must say I'm pretty excited about meeting Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl. I'm glad we get to play a team with a storied coach, a long history of winning, and from a repectable conference. I was glad that Houston lost. Now we get the #13 total defense Virginia Tech Hokies versus Denard Robinson. Instead of the #64 total defense Houston Cougars. We get to play a legend of a coach and a winning program instead of a C-USA schedule eating cupcake.
Also, Boise State? Please god no. Nobody wants to play that annoying "David" of a school. Every once in a while they hit Goliath in the eye with a rock from their slingshot, and Goliath has to hear about it forever...screw Boise State and screw their MWC schedule.
Kansas State? I respect some of what they did, but they have no where near the body of work that Virginia Tech has. A win over Kansas St would be nice but not nearly as sweet as a win over Virginia Tech.
I love a good challenge. David Wilson versus our linebackers is going to be a challenge. Denard Robinson versus your athletes is going to be a challenge. We get to test our offense and defense against a perennial top 10 team? Yes please.
To those saying you don't belong, we hear the same crap. You guys bring more money, you guys have Delaney pimping you, you're overrated, hell - we even heard that Delaney blocked Boise and Kansas St so we could get an easy (EASY??) Virginia Tech team. I'm not sure which part of that is bigger BS. The fact that Virginia Tech isn't as good as K St an Boise or that DElaney would actually have that clout.
Anyways, I'm pretty stoked about playing you guys for the first time. This should be a great game!
thanks for stopping by
Nice to hear some like sentiments...I am really looking forward to this game as well!
Agreed
mgoblue75- agreed 100%. This is a real marquee for our program and it is shaping up to be a fantastic match-up. I hope Big Blue's fan-base is getting up for the game and from what it sounds like two football-intelligent and raucous fan bases will be invading the Big Easy.
I tell you what- I loved playing Boise State last year in the opener during a "Kick-off game" but I can definitely see where playing them in a BCS Bowl game would be...well lets just call it what it is: not the most compelling of games. Honestly I agree and am getting tired of hearing about how they "smacked us in the mouth last year at FedEx." I don't think winning by 3 and your QB pulling a remarkable drive out of his kiester was smacking anyone in the mouth by any stretch after getting physically dominated for most of the second half minus one big running play (can't you feel the bitterness as I type this?). Also the "David" comparison has to go- I wanted to punch Musberger every time he said that as I had a cigar and drink in the cigar lounge at FedEx last year during the late stages of the second quarter.
Best of luck to both squads and hopefully the game lives up to the hype. In the immortal words of my favorite Jet Bart Scott: "CAN'T WAIT!"
Simple Solution
For all of those complaining about us getting into the Sugar Bowl over a number of other "better" teams, why don't they just win more games than us, or lose less games than us? And for the non-AQs, Boise definitely didn't deserve anything. They play one game per year that they have ALL SUMMER TO PREPARE FOR. Then they recede into the mediocrity of the Mountain West, and lose to a TCU team who is supposed to be second-tier to them...
This is what needs to happen - a resounding victory against Michigan on January 3rd. Then we will gain more (spiteful) attention as a program, but we won't care because we're representing our conference on a national level and gaining momentum and respect for our future. As stated by several others in previous comments, the words of these haters need to be used as motivation for us to come out and crush the oppositon.
And - for the love of God and all that is holy - Give. David Wilson. The. Fucking. Ball.
that seems too simple
So it must be complicated lol. Well said.
Too simple for them to win more or lose less? Or for us to beat Michigan? We need to start winning big games again. It's been too long.
Already a bunch of articles.
Seen a good four or five articles today predicting an easy win/blowout in favor of the Wolverines. Our boys are going to have an absolute bonfire burning up their asses before this game gets underway. I like it.
Must win.
This is a must win in recruiting terms. We are getting closer to signing day with alot of recruits still out there. I follow recruiting way to closer but what can I say, I am all in on building our program into a national contender. From what I have been hearing all weekend we are in danger of losing the top player in the state to the buckeyes for the 2nd straight year. The Urban Meyer hiring almost sealed the deal. We need a good showing in the Sugar Bowl if we have any chance of getting back in this race for Caleb. I am afraid it might be too little too late as I think that ship has already sailed. Lets hope Cyrus Jones will follow JC Coleman down to Blackburg to fill the void. We have got to start getting the top kids in our own state.
Recruiting
WE need, no, we must have this win. It is obvious that other ACC teams are recruiting and winning the players that are making a difference in the big games. A BCS win will send the message that if you come to VT, you will win the coastal division most of the time, win the ACC a good bit of the time and likely end up at a BCS bowl game even when not deserved. This is now a must win. C'mon Hokies, let's get it done!
disrespect
for anyone looking for added fuel to the disrespect fire, read Zemeck's article here:
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1135988.html
which states that the Sugar Bowl matchup was a political favor to the BigTen, but not for selecting Michigan. For selecting a cupcake Virginia Tech team as their matchup, over stronger teams in B St and K St. It mentions that this is all from Dan Wetzel, the star reporter from Yahoo, so it may very well be true.
If true then it creates a level of disrespect yet unheard of, including BigTen and Sugar bowl officials which all regard Virginia Tech as the slam dunk pick to lose to Michigan.
I agree with Frank, we don't need to apologize to anyone for being there. We're the winningest team in the country and we deserve to be considered for at-large bids. Our fans travel better than almost any team in the country as well and bring in the money. But the problem is Frank and VT feel we need to tell people these facts. I don't see Michigan or Hoke doing that and they aren't the winningest football team in america. That's the jump Frank needs to make. We expect to be there. We demand to be there because we are Virginia Tech, just like Michigan this year.
Of course, the best way to make people shut the fuck up is win. But most important we need to show up and play. Even an amazing game which we lose at last second or in OT would show we belong. If we get drubbed like Stanford last year or Clemson this past weekend, don't expect to be an at-large pick next year or any year in the future. well, at least not without any political favors.
Wow
To be perfectly frank I want to go back to my hockey and football playing days right now, get on the pads, and start going apeshit over as many people in Maize and Blue, Orange and Blue, and Purple and Gray that I see come into my path. I can understand being debated as a pick but to say this? Man all Frankenator should do is frame this and hand the article to every player, read it every time the team gets lackadaisical in practice or begins to question itself. Then say simply: this is what people think of you: an easy win. Prove them wrong. On gameday it should be read every chance Frank gets, or Bud, or Cornell, or Torian or anyone on the staff, Stiney included. If VT somehow gets up big...screw sportsmanship now. Keep hitting them in the mouth until they beg you to stop- then do it again. Send a message.
Absolutely love it
I agree 110%. If I ever start coaching again I will contact you first as my D coordinator.. Love it..
Nice
That would be greatly appreciated! All about harnessing and controlling emotions at times- this is a time where an old coach of mine would've said its cool to let it bubble over the top for a game.
Agreed
Unfortunately, I agree with you. I realize Virginia Tech gets a lot of respect for playing "kindly" and taking a knee on the opponent's 20 yard-line, but I think Beamer needs to let off the brakes juuust a tad. The blow-out's are what gets noticed & we need to get noticed.
i don't necessarily agree with Wetzell basically because I think the Sugar Bowl people do actually like us. We have a history with New Orleans and will bring tons of people and money down there. Honestly, I've never been to Miami, but would take the chance to go to NOLA over south beach any day of the week.
I absolutely love that Frank is not backing down or appologizing for this. Him and Bill did a good job on the Hokie Hotline (refuse to call it TTL) last night laying out the case of why we deserve this game. Its the overall body of work of our program over the past 10+ years. The SEC or the media may not like it, but we are the winningest team in all of college football since 1995, the ONLY team in the country with 10 wins the past 8 years, one of only 3 teams to go to 19 straight bowl games, and we have the winningest coach in all of college football (think i have all that right). Like Bill said last night, if you get away from the media elite in the northeast, people across the country more than respect our program. We were told in 95 that we had no business being in the Sugar Bowl, and we ended up beating mighty Texas. We had the lead over Bama in the 4th quarter, and the lead over FSU in the 4th quarter in the national title game, and we were oh so close to beating an Auburn team that should have played for the championship. I know this has all been said before, but it made me feel good typing it all out again.
Tony Kornheiser yesterday called us a flawed program that will NEVER be elite. I'd love to make that smug asshole eat his words. While everybody has layed out the case of why we deserve to be here, we do NEED to win this game. We need to make a big statement in a big bowl game like in 95. I've felt this way in the past, but I honestly believe our coaches will have this team more than prepared to handle business.
Its also nice to be playing a team like Michigan where I can't think of any reason to hate their team or fans (now that Dick Rod is gone).
About kornhole
Screw kornheiser & the complete moron he was talking w/ yesterday. Neither Baylor nor TCU is ranked above the Hokies because Baylor's lost three games & TCU isn't in a big boy conference (they lost to Southern Methodist..by seven..in overtime..How impressive!) No one said Virginia Tech was on the same level as LSU/Alabama & not a person in this PLANET has EVER said we were a "lock" to win the National Championship. I think that delusional idiot had us confused with Notre Dame. Boise State couldn't even win the Mountain West!
Stinespring's gotta go. He's a complete cancer to our program.
Kevin Sheehan
If you're referring to the radio show and not PTI. Though I'm sure he ripped us again on PTI that night.
The thing about DC sports talk radio is that on 94.3 they are all Maryland hacks and on 106.7 they simply don't talk about college football. You would think that both stations would devote just a few minutes to the Hokies considering the large alumni base in the area, but both stations would rather just bitch about the Redskins 24/7
Pet Peeve
I hate articles you can't comment on... :-\
Reminds me
When we played a Big 12 team (Texas) in the Sugar Bowl. No one expected us to win. It was a program defining win for the good guys.
this is conpiratorial crap
that has no basis and belongs in the tabloids. How can people be allowed to post this $4!# without repurcussions?? If you write in the passive voice, cite someone else's "work" as thinly veiled legitimacy and stop short of connecting all the dots in your argument I guess you are not responsible for what the reader takes away. Incredible.
Who knows if people are still reading this thread (seeing as it started yesterday...), but...
I'm usually a bit pessimistic, but I like our chances against Michigan. If our defense is healthy (well, healthy by 2011 standards), I just can't see DR throwing the ball with any success. From there just key in on stopping his scrambling...
I think we'll be fine.
Definitely no worries about motivation. A month of ESPN & every newspaper saying we shouldn't be there should provide a pretty big chip for their shoulders.
TBozz12- I am still checking it occasionally and agree with you partially- I don't think Denard will be able to pick apart our defense, especially if they are able to play to their full potential. Honestly many of his great throws seem to come on the heels of a lengthy run so the defense seemingly has the run on their minds. Also his arm and decision making just don't frighten me- his legs and ability to move quickly do. I am also concerned, as some of the Michigan fan visitors have pointed out, to their stout/incredible d-line, with which we obviously have major issues with (exhibit A: ACC Championship Game) but that all comes down to whether or not the o-line can get fired up and smack somebody in the mouth. Not just about size and talent though those greatly help- the team seemingly wasn't all that motivated to smack Clemson on Saturday night and we saw what happened. We also saw a team that was truly worthy of their top 5 billing when they played UVA and were indescribably pissed off: they need to return to that form. If they do then I pity any d-line on running plays.
I can speak to my concerns as a Michigan fan as it pertains to Denard. Denard gets happy feet sometimes. He fails to square up and make a direct throw. You hold your breath when it happens and hope that the throw is to an imaginary 12 foot tall reciever and not a defensive back. He has 14 interceptions and most of them came during the first part of the year (more on that later). Denard has also shown hesitation to scramble when there are open running lanes on a passing play. When you see 15 yards of green in front of him and he throws the ball instead (usually to the imaginary reciever), you find yourself screaming "JUST RUN!" at your TV. He can be a very powerful weapon with the read option. He has also had a bad tendency of making the wrong read (the Nebraska game) and walking right into a defensive end. With all that said he has settled down passing in the last 3 games. The last game against a pretty solid Ohio State defense we sustained offensive drives like this -
1. three and out
2. 47-yard touchdown drive
3. 52-yard touchdown drive
4. three and out
5. Michigan gets a first down, whereupon Denard fumbles
6. 80-yard touchdown drive
7. 80-yard touchdown drive
8. 40-yard drive from own nine followed by punt disaster
9. 75-yard touchdown drive
10. 80-yard touchdown drive that morphs into 54-yard field goal drive thanks to replay incompetence and penaltyfest
[credit for data goes to Brian Cook at mgoblog.com]
The reason I point all this out is that Denard will have not played in a game since November 26th. It concerns me that his progression at the end of the season will be lost and he will regress back to early season "happy feet" Denard. He is a very exciting and excitable player. This will be something to watch for. If he makes mistakes early it will be important for Virginia Tech to capitalize on them. He can perform miracles late in the game and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. The offense will hinge on which Denard shows up. Good Denard makes rainbows and his smile cures cancer. Evil Denard steals your Christmas presents and kicks your puppy. The gap between November 26th and January 3rd has me worried that Evil Denard will get control of his body and he will cause me to scream at the TV.
I love your comparisons on Denard's bipolarity. The extra-long wait is something to watch out for. I remember it being brought up constantly when Ohio State was busy getting walloped in the National Championship Game a few years back.
Nice!
"Evil Denard." Love it. Good Denard sounds like he's trying to compete with Chuck Norris...
Announcers
don't know if this is the right place for this, but oh well...
have they announced yet who will be calling the game? i'm assuming its ABC, so i would LOVE for Herby to have to call it.
http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/11/30/football%E2%80%99s-top-comme...
Allstate Sugar Bowl
ESPN: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe
ESPN Radio: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox
Damn I was really hoping Herby and Musb. were going for it as well. Would've great to hear them blabber on and have EITHER team shut them up. Obviously I hope the Hokies win but I would seen a silver lining either way in regards to those two having that assignment.