About two weeks ago I was taking a somber walk out of Bank of America stadium, lamenting over how the ACC championship loss was a sad way to end the season. The depression of was short-lived, replaced the next night by the elation of VT getting a bid to the Sugar Bowl.
Big game featuring two big name playcallers in the Big Easy. What more is there to ask for?
Best Bowl Game Scenario
Of course I'd rather have seen the Hokies get revenge against Clemson and earn another ACC title, but VT ended up with the best bowl scenario. A win would have sent VT to Miami for the 4th time in 5 seasons to play against a WVU team that hasn't been impressive. There is the rivalry with WVU, but Orange Bowl fatigue combined with a Wednesday night kickoff against a low ranked opponent would produce a ho-hum response from fans and the national media. Beating the Big East champion doesn't provide any real upside to national reputation either.
To the surprise and chagrin of many, Virginia Tech landed in Sugar Bowl to play Michigan. Its reputation and destination makes it inarguably the best bowl game Virginia Tech could go to. This trip will be my first time to New Orleans, but enough has been said about the area that I have a feeling it will be a great time. As far as football goes, the Sugar Bowl has a long history, and it was the site of the two biggest games in VT history: the 1995 win over Texas and the national championship loss in January 2000. Virginia Tech's surprise selection and Michigan's return to a BCS bowl has forced a lot of national attention on this game.
Winning = Only Way to Silence Critics
The Hokies were fortunate to be picked at large by the Sugar Bowl, but we don't need to apologize for qualifying as a BCS at-large team. There has been a lot of animosity towards us from media personalities. Colin Cowherd stated, "this isn't a very good team." Tony Kornheiser said VT is a, "fraud program." Sportswriters took their shots on Twitter. Most are quick to point out Virginia Tech "can't win the big game." I'm grateful for the scrutiny and the criticism, for all of the negative attention that has been paid to this game. If VT wins, then there is no way the critics can turn around and deny that it wasn't a huge victory.
This game is not just the final note for the 2011 season, but it could be considered a statement, even a possible must win for the program. If Virginia Tech beats Michigan, then the program would have the big bowl win over an out of conference traditional power that we've been missing the past 16 years.
Upsetting college football royalty. Beating 9th ranked Texas in the 1995 Sugar Bowl was the win that put VT into the national spotlight and is the biggest bowl victory for the program. Current coaches Torrain Gray and Cornell Brown were stars in this game.
Much like the UVA game, this is a gut check moment, and hopefully the team responds the same way to pressure in New Orleans as they did in Charlottesville.
Let's Go To The Game Hokies
Virginia Tech is known for a great traveling fan base, and it's important to try to continue the tradition. I won't get into the current ticket sales as it has been covered by Gobbler Country , but everybody understands that as of right now there is room for improvement. The Orange Bowl is feeling the pinch of selling tickets to weeknight games even worse. Clemson has sold only 8,000 tickets, WVU 5,700. There are a lot of reasons for low sales, including the date and expenses, but with less than 10,000 tickets sold from the VT ticket office there is still hope that there are fans capable of making the trip that haven't signed up yet.
Costly travel to New Orleans seems to be the main reason stopping fans from going to the game. However, there are flights available for as low as $290 from DCA to MSY flying from 12/30 and returning 1/5. There's also Delta flights leaving Dulles on 1/2 and returning 1/5 for $447.
Big Game in the Big Easy
The game isn't a cheap trip and requires some extra time off from work, but this is the type of bowl game VT fans have begged for. Let's not forget that a few weeks ago some were complaining about another trip to the Orange Bowl, and considered the Peach Bowl a blessing in disguise. VT has never played Michigan before and isn't scheduled to anytime soon. This could be the only matchup in our lifetimes. There's no question that a win on January 3rd over 13th ranked Michigan would be the biggest bowl win for VT since 1995.
| Season | Bowl | VT Rank | Opponent | Opponent Rank | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Sugar Bowl | 13 | TEXAS | 9 | New Orleans, La. | 70,283 |
| 1998 | Music City Bowl | NR | ALABAMA | NR | Nashville, Tenn. | 41,600 |
| 2000 | Gator Bowl | 6 | CLEMSON | 16 | Jacksonville, Fla. | 68,741 |
| 2002 | San Francisco Bowl | 21 | AIR FORCE | NR | San Francisco, Calif. | 25,966 |
| 2005 | Gator Bowl | 12 | LOUISVILLE | 15 | Jacksonville, Fla. | 63,780 |
| 2008 | Orange Bowl | 21 | CINCINNATI | 12 | Miami Gardens, Fla. | 73,602 |
| 2009 | Chick-fil-A Bowl | 12 | TENNESSEE | NR | Atlanta, Ga. | 73,777 |
No offense to 12th ranked Cincinnati in 2008, but a win against Michigan would be the second biggest bowl win in school history. With only 7 wins in the last 16 bowl games I feel like VT is due.
I'm really thankful we are in a great bowl, with an amazing location, in a pivotal game against a big name ranked opponent.
Comments
Excitement
If that Texas game video doesn't get you pumped up I don't know what will. We pounded them in that game. I haven't seen that level of intensity much lately. I have seen bursts of it but not sustained levels.
Win
Yes we need a win; but don't think that will shut up our media critics...there tune will change to "Michigan shouldn't have been there", "Any given day..", blah blah blah....VT needs to win; but don't expect the media to give us credit.
We will see
I think that with the sound bites coming out that it's hard for them to double back. Even now that coverage has moved from the selection to the actually game most in media are expecting us to lose. If we win along with the rest of the ACC, especially Clemson, having a good showing I think it will go a long way towards earning some respect.
If the comments hadn't been as extreme then it would be easy to go back on them but I think its gone to far now.
Honestly?
As a lifelong Hokie faithful, I don't ever expect anyone to give us credit for anything, ever. Yeah I've got a chip, oh well, but if we're ranked high it's, 'Well the competition was weak this season' and if we lose it's, 'Same ol' Hokies'. Credit is never given where credit is due..and it's still isn't.
I think
"The sports leader" needs to promote this game now since they are broadcasting it. After the game they have to be careful what they say since they broadcasted it. I think ESPN will not say too much more since they have a stake in the game and the outcome. They should be hyping it big time and promoting all the positives. They need viewers. I think the viewership should be fairly high, at least the first half, since there is so much controversy.
Success for each school is to first get tickets sold. Next is to put on an entertaining game. It's all about promotion and the $ and having a little fun.
Duke's field and my ramblings
I thought that was a high school team you all were playing at 2:18. It was Duke. That's hilarious. I'd say they need to do something with that stadium, but its not like Duke fills it anyway. The only place that sells out in the Triangle is NCSU and that's hit or miss.
I'm sure most of you are aware, but I'll post this anyway:
Most Consecutive 100,000-Plus Crowds: 232, Michigan (current, from Nov. 8, 1975)
Average Attendance 2011: Michigan 112,179
Record Attendance, Single-Game: Michigan 114,804 vs Notre Dame 2011
We do love our football. I noticed that VT has the highest attendance in the ACC, its good to see the fervour of both fan bases. Its disappointing to see the national media's spin on this game and it seems like VT is taking the brunt of the criticism. Bowls are exhibition games that are designed to be an economic boon to the host cities and are an opportunity for the schools to get some national brand exposure. The organizers want to fill the seats, the hotels and the bars. The media act like its supposed to mean something other than that. If other fan bases were thought to travel better, they would be in the bowl games instead of us. The other whining fan bases can only blame themselves. We get this all the time from Sparty. They don't even sell out their own home games yet expect the BCS to pick them over Michigan.
Michigan definitely does have great fans
I have a cousin that is a huge Michigan fan. I've been to a game in Ann Arbor with him (vs. Purdue 2007) and it was a great atmosphere. As I told my cousin I root for Michigan unless they play VT, are ranked above us, or play another ACC team. As far as atmosphere at the game we have a lot of the same traditions like shaking keys on third down as well as throwing people up in the air for scores. I thought all the different ways of doing the wave were awesome too.
I think it's a lot bigger game for VT than Michigan. If Michigan loses the narrative will be that you guys still had a great rebounding year, if VT loses the narrative will be.. a lot worse.
Thanks for all of the questions you've answered in the Ask a Michigan Fan section
Have fun in New Orleans!
I went to the 2004 Sugar Bowl. While VT lost to Auburn 16-13, we played well against an undefeated team. New Orleans is a great place for food and fun. We stayed a couple of blocks downhill from Bourbon Street (easier when you can walk downhill at night to your hotel). The night before the game we went to a public park a block away from the pep rally and listened to jazz while eating those sandwiches from that country store and drinking beer (can't do that in Blacksburg!)--cheap way to eat and drink. I did notice that more VT fans were way too drunk while Auburn fans were more subdued. When I went to get my plastic football filled with beer, some VT drunk fan broke into the line, making everyone upset. Then, when he got his big beer, he dropped it on everyone. It was funny but obnoxious. Hope the VT fans do better in New Orleans this year.
Plus it's Michigan...
They gave us Tom Brady and Braylon Edwards
#gross
haters gonna hate
Any GM without a quarterback named Brees or Rogers would want Brady. Lets not get into infamous alumni. Stay classy.
yes we will
I don't have Tom Brady...won't be able to get Tom Brady...therefore Tom Brady = Gross
You can call it hate...I call it being a fan. Unless of course he goes Brett Favre and starts whoring himself out to the rest of the league and does a brief albeit horrible stint for my favorite team? He shall stay #Gross
Sincerely,
Always Classy
Fan of...?
Longlosthokie- Jets, Vikes, or Falcons fan? From the similar tone to my rantings of Brett "trying to get Jenn Sterger to ride my private Jet" Favre sounds like a fellow Jet fan to me. If not sorry for the mix-up in advance.
Just because this goes here:
There is no end to my admiration for this.
Honestly, Billdozer's best work to date.
Take note, you dicknose Hoos. This is how you pump up a fanbase.
I am utterly sick of hearing about the selection of this bowl game. I am at the same time utterly excited about this match up. I couldn't be more dissapointed in the media and more excited by the opponent than I am right now. I guess this is fair because if the media had its way Michigan would be playing Boise State and their impressive MWC schedule [rolleyes], or Kansas State and their fluke of a season. The way it was selected is perfect. Michigan on the comeback trail gets to play an ACC powerhouse. A perennial top 10 team, a legend of a coach, in a match-up of athlete versus athlete.
I will be glued to the set as this game unfolds. I am biased, but I think this game presents an intriguing match up for many reasons. Defense oriented teams, athletic offenses, coaches with years of experience...this game has it all. I am not a fan of most things ESPN - and their distaste for this game only further resolves my stance that they are clueless about a great many things.
When these two titans meet on the field, I will be excited and most likely be yelling loud enough for my neighbors to hear me. Logan Thomas, Denard Robinson, David Wilson, Mike Martin, Jayron Hosley - I'm getting pumped up as I write this. Don't listen to the media Hokies! This is a match up that we will remember for many years to come!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncMzDz75Sd8&feature=related
Video
Hey, someone finally found my video of some use (Sugar Bowl game against Texas). I have a bunch more highlight videos. Not as good as some of the others I have seen, but I try to do a good job recapping our big plays from those games. I love tracking down old games and making highlights out of them. I keep telling my wife that they will go "semi-viral" some day. Maybe this is a start. Hopefully I will be able to make more soon.
Sweet video
That video definitely got me pumped - Where is the audio from?
Game Day
Best Hokies blog out there bar none. I have been reading for a few months now. I'm an '01 alum.
Circumstance has it that I will be watching the game with a few good friends, two of whom happen to be Boise State and Michigan alums. I have already heard more than enough about why their teams belong and VT does not. In order to have the final word, I intend to compile two lists to be distributed pre-game. First list is "Why they don't belong in the Sugar Bowl" and will have an interesting fact about either Michigan or Boise. Second list is "Why we do belong in the Sugar Bowl". Anyone willing to throw out a few suggestions for either list? Here are a few that I already have:
Why they don't belong:
1. Won 11 games in 2011, but the last 10 were against teams that a) were not ranked in the Top 25 and b) had a combined record vs. Top 25 teams of 0-15 (Boise)
2. Missed their conference championship game because they lost to their biggest in-state rival 28-14 (Michigan)
Why we do belong:
1. Made our conference championship game because we defeated our biggest in-state rival 38-0
Additions
boise st didn't even win the mountain west and lost to a team that lost to Southern Methodist...by seven...in overtime. boise only played and beat one team that was ranked at the time and no one would've even cared about the Georgia win if Georgia went on to play like they had been the last few seasons.
Virginia Tech's loyal fan base and being the only team in the nation to win 10+ games eight years in a row. Virginia Tech only lost to one team, the team that won the conference and is going to the orange bowl
Virginia Tech played four ranked teams (clemson twice), only lost to two, but beat the other two (one being the shutout)
i dunno, hopefully this helps. christ, I hope we win...