I turned down tickets so I could get my daughter home from day care... I'm coupling that thought with the fact we also haven't won a home game in which I've been in attendance (many games) since the Pitt goal line stand.... sooo....
Karma Points = We Win
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If staying home meant increasing the odds of a VT win every week, I wouldn't bat an eye. But I would open up an electronic tip jar, so Hokies with a post game high can log in and donate what it's worth to them to have VicTories.
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I'm coupling that thought with the fact we also haven't won a home game in which I've been in attendance (many games) since the Pitt goal line stand.... sooo....
Karma Points = We Win
Well, I guess we can rule your attendance out as a root cause of the problems...
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Understandable but you should give Mango White Claws a try.
As for the game, the next 3 game stretch (@ Miami, vs RI) is a big litmus test for the team. How do we handle well managed/skilled teams and then do we blowout teams that should have no right going up 14-0 against us.
Also, you're not Eric by any chance are you? I feel like my friend Sam has mentioned your handle
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I'm not ashamed to say, the last 3 years when we're at South Myrtle for 7 days in 90 degree heat everyday, I moved from beer to Vodka Sodas or White Claws cuz there's no bloat factor.
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When I stopped being 20 something, all beer turned into a hell of a hungover type drink. It was crazy. If I have any beer now, I'm bloated for days and have the worst headache. Started going straight bourbon but the sugar in there started doing the headache thing for me too. Tried out Trulys at OBX this summer, had a ton, felt great the next day with no bloat. It was amazing.
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I'm a musician and I've drank coors light since 16 or so. I'm 42 now. I get terrible hangovers but I do go pretty hard during/after gigs and at ball games. Hard waters are absolutely the best for the next day or the beach for sure!
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It's Disney Halloween tonight for two year olds third birthday Disney weekend. So ok I guess, won't see Hokies or any but really late Saturday games, but hopefully kids behave and we have a great time at Disney!
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I've watched a few other ACC games and it's going to be a crapshoot every time out. Duke could beat us by 15 and we go beat Miami, or the reverse. Only one good/consistent team.
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I'm feeling pretty good. Hard to have complete confidence in our team, but I'm optimistic the D will look solid and we will find some creative ways to run the football and move the ball with the passing game. Turnovers, as always, will be a huge factor, and I feel on the fence about our ability to avoid them. Obviously we have not avoided them this season thus far but I'm hoping the law of averages works in our favor here.
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I always find a way to be optimistic by the time gameday rolls around. Even in our worst seasons since becoming a fan, I'm right about half the time...
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Not good at all, but I never do before any game. The great thing is, unlike other seasons, my expectations are so low that I literally have a tough time getting as riled up as the Ernest of old. Hoping to see the defense play as solid as they looked at times last week, Willis and Co. hold on to the ball, and the good guys giving Lane a reason to stay loud all game. Go Hokies!
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I'm kinda pissed off that I have to miss attending the game due to work, but I should get to see most of it on TV. Other than that, I'm cautiously optimistic about our chances, as always.
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I have to work too late today to make it :( Also, have to get up early to prep for a gig in Bluefield tomorrow. If anyone is at Oktoberfest in Bluefield tomorrow come say hi! I'm the drummer in Space Monkey. I think that we will probably see a lot of running the ball tomorrow with not many trick plays. Kill's influence and all coming into play already.
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As I put on the White Out shirt this morning, I go the familiar rush of game day excitement. Added the maroon shorts and orange shoes so I don't need to say anything to scream Go Hokies. I am ready. Wife game me the typical "are you really gonna wear that?" look, but knows there is no point in saying it. I replied anyway with: "We may not have the best team, but we do have better fans." I mean it. I'm excited its game day, and grateful for the chance to cheer on my Hokies, even if from a local bar instead of the stadium, and show my support proudly.
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I feel really good about our chances if Garbutt and Hazelton are able to play. But if they aren't, then I think it will be tough to pull out a W.
I think a healthy Hazelton will help out Turner greatly, therefore opening up the offense more. Garbutt is our best DL on a defense that has been improved thus far. I think he was/is primed for a breakout year.
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More just eager for the game to be here, tough getting through today waiting for things to start this evening. Like many just optimistic that some small changes have happened, mostly just want to see a clean game, no turnovers.
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Close game. Tech comes out and puts points up early. Sluggish second and third quarter with an assumed Duke victory leading up to the last 3/4's of the fourth quarter. Tech gets their shit together and puts up enough points to win... barely.
Senator Blutarsky starts 'tailgating' around 12:00. Walks towards the stadium around 6:20. Regrets having eaten some item at the tailgate around 7:10, but suffers through like a champ. Moves to a new seat around 7:25. Watches game. Makes it home by 12:20.
That's all I have.
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Honestly, I am excited for the game, but not at the levels like in past years. Ever since the BC game (and shoot maybe even back to the ODU game last year), I've got this weird "expecting us to flop" feeling, and just a general 'blah' feeling towards Hokie football. I have no excuse on feeling this way - I way upped my donation to the Hokie Club at the beginning of the year, I've been locked in on articles and coverage of the team, I love to talk about the team, but for some reason that feeling is still there.
This probably doesn't make sense to anyone - but it's just a weird feeling for me
Having said that - Let's Fucking Go!
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I said this game wasn't a must win in the thread earlier this week. I may be changing my mind on this. This feels like a big moment for Justin Fuente and the his future here at Virginia Tech. You're home, against a conference opponent which you've had success against lately, in prime time (albeit Friday).
A win would give this team its first hint of momentum all season and make the game against an also struggling Miami team next week seem more winnable. It would go a long way in rejuvinating the fan base's interest and remind us all that Hokie Football can be enjoyable to watch and not just a slog.
Listening to PAPN yesterday, it kinda shook me to hear Godfrey say that a loss might be the beginning of the end of the Fuente tenure. As a completely neutral, yet informed external observer, it has been wild to hear him go from "The Fuente hire is the best cultural fit", to "I know it's not great right now but VT will be fine", to "Yeah this is bad and I don't know what's wrong but something is wrong."
I can't imagine being excited to watch a 2-2 (0-2) team travel down to Miami next week. It would further push a lot of fans away from caring this year. I don't know man. Not trying to be pessimistic but it's just how I'm feeling right now.
That said, I hope I see a team that plays with the sense of urgency this game deserves. I want to see the best players on the field. I want to see this staff coach like their jobs depend on it, because they just might. I want to see the underdog mentality and toughness that this program was built upon. I want to see us play to win a game instead of looking like we're trying not to lose.
I'm anxious. I'm tired of seeing the college football world crap on this team. We are too talented to be as bad as we've looked. I'm ready to be disappointed, but I hope to be surprised.
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Great post right here...I'm really hoping this Kill hire will start to pay dividends beginning with this game and I actually expect VT to run the ball for over 200 yards tonight.
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Agree with this 100%. I'm not convinced this game is a 'must win' but it's definitely a 'must show improvement.' On the other hand, we still control our own destiny, winning today will continue that narrative.
Listening to PAPN yesterday, it kinda shook me to hear Godfrey say that a loss might be the beginning of the end of the Fuente tenure. As a completely neutral, yet informed external observer, it has been wild to hear him go from "The Fuente hire is the best cultural fit", to "I know it's not great right now but VT will be fine", to "Yeah this is bad and I don't know what's wrong but something is wrong."
Had the same reaction. Godfrey's recent talk about VT has been jarring, and has me wondering if we have a Fuente problem or a VT problem.
On a somewhat unrelated note, I do want Godfrey to compare UCLA/Chip Kelley to VT/Fuente. I definitely think there's some similarities, especially after reading these tweets from Chris Coleman.
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My wife and I were planning to head down for this game. It was going to be our last game of the year as she was due with our son on October 31st. However he decided to come early on 9/24. Both mom and baby are happy and healthy, and interest in this game has taken a back seat.
Feeling good about a win, but for the first time ever I may have to set an alarm to remember to watch.
Go Hokies!
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My son was born in early Sept last year, and I actually watched way more football last season than previous years. It turns out at that age, there is a just a lot of time hanging with them on a couch, typically falling in and out of consciousness with a bottle in one hand and a beer in the other.
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Got a wedding rehearsal dinner I'll be stuck at from 7 on at the boathouse in midlo and they wont have tvs so I'm stuck debating to keep tabs through ESPN app during the dinner or wait to watch the recording when I get home after but part of me doesnt want to stay up till 1 am watching the replay for us to lose.
NEVER PLAN WEDDINGS DURING THE FALL DAMNIT
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This was me at the same venue last year for a wedding during a game. No TV's = watching on my xfinity app under the table while trying to remain social. You got this.
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The struggle is real why dont they have atleast a few TV's and a bar there instead I'll be stuck at a rehearsal dinner with nobody I know aside from the fiance when I'd much rather be a BWWs with wings and the game.
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It happens, man. Next week I'll be in the same situation with the Miami game. Step-brother's soon to be wife is a loluva grad so she of course picked their bye week for their wedding.
PS you don't happen to know if Tuckahoe Plantation has TV's do you?
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I have 5 weddings this Football season, including a rehearsal dinner tonight, and wedding the day VT plays GT (less than 10 blocks from my home). I'm not happy about it.
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My cousin got married last weekend. I'd like to think she did it on purpose because she knew we had a bye week, but i'm sure there were other factors and it was just coincidence.
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So-so. Duke put away some bad teams with authority. We struggled against ODU and a decent FCS team.
Holding BC to 3.3 ypc on the ground with AJ Dillon was a pretty good performance. Statistically, we should have beaten BC, but it's impossible to overcome five turnovers against ANY team.
Versus ODU we gave up 4.7 ypc. That's a reason for concern. UVA scored 3 fewer points against ODU which really makes you wonder how good PITT and FSU really are. It's possible UVA's 4-0 record, as good as it looks now, is really more a function of how bad their competition has been. Maybe ODU is good? Who knows?
Giving up 3.9 ypc vs. Furman is, quite frankly, concerning. I'll take a win anytime I can, but we won only because they are an FCS team (yes, I know. JMU 2010). It was not our performance for a full 60 minutes that got us there.
That leaves us with having to guess which team shows up when. If we come out flat, and Duke fails to capitalize on certain opportunities this could be a win. Football, by nature, is a down by down game. Teams have to remain focused over the course of the entire game to perform their best (sometimes still resulting in a loss). My concern is that our focus is really down by down. That means the outcome of the game is now equally about how we match up, and how well we concentrate. That introduces far more complexity. I know we can't win every game and I can accept losses, but I have a hard time accepting losses where we don't go down swinging. Like I said earlier, I will take a win anytime we get one, but I can also feel uncomfortable when those wins are eked out against teams we should dominate. It makes you wonder whether we are having a bad, having coaching issues, having talent issues, any of the preceding or all of the preceding.
I'm going to venture to say that the bye week will have done us well and we beat Duke.
Go Hokies!
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Long answer: I actually feel like if the team can get up for the game, and if the playcalling on offense is competitive, we'll absolutely pour it on. We saw that the pieces are all there - always a solid receiving corps, plus King, Mitchell and Robinson sparking the run game. As Robbie and Pete mentioned on Two Deep, their secondary hasn't recorded a single interception, so I think if we protect the ball on the ground and avoid sacks (especially on our side of the field), we should win the turnover battle.
A QB is as good as his support, so since Harris is really the only playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, the defense can shut them down offensively if we can key in on their run game and shut down the short passes.
I've watched our team ebb and flow through the 3 games, but if we can put it all together, the first score that came to mind was 45-10 VT.
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I'm heading up to Blacksburg at 1 so I'll feel better with a rail in me at 2:30. Looking forward to being in Lane tonight.
I think the defense continues to improve as they have each game this year. If the offense protects the ball and has a marginal improvement, I think we win by 10+
LETS GO!
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Nothing is guaranteed and we need to play hard and smart to win. Not just tonight but for all our games this season. But we absolutely can do that. So let's go out there and grab the season by the horns and get back to winning Virginia Tech football.
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I'm with you man. My identity was stolen yesterday and someone purchased 4 new Iphone 11s in Dover Delaware. I have spent the past 24 hours at the police station and on the phone trying to convince people that I was not able to teleport to Delaware and be at my job at the same time.
My favorite was the Xfinity store employee that said "you showed me your I.D. sir".
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Duke's DL is good and we're like 70th in total offense even though we've played 1 (mediocre) P5 team, and given our past with Corney, it's tough to feel super confident we'll score more than 24 against any P5 opponent.
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Man, I had this crazy elaborate answer written initially. Deleted that and decided to simplify instead.
I'm slightly optimistic. Duke is well coached, but we've got more talent on the roster so I think we'll win. Interested to see if Fuente is willing to pull Willis early on if he's turnover prone, OR looks injured. I'm not worried about the defense.
Also, I'm very happy that this game is tonight. The wife and I got tickets to see USC-UW tomorrow, so I'll be enjoying that.
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From what I can remember back row left to right is Magic rat, ArchonVT, Danny Coale is My Spirit Animal, ???, not on TKP. Middle row FlippinHokie, HokieEnginerd (me), rest not on TKP. First row ???, LancerHokie, no explanation needed, the rest not on TKP as far as I know.
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For me I want to see improvement. I expect to win because we're Virginia Tech and they're Duke. But I want a real, solid win. Not an escape by the skin of our teeth win.
I'd also love to see Ryan Willis play a game that tells me he deserves to be the unquestioned starter
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I like our chances here. The things holding us back are all self inflicted. That is what has been so frustrating to watch. We've had times where moving the ball looked easy only to shoot our-self in the foot with a penalty, turnover, or just silly play call.
I think we move the ball and finish tonight. I think the D does what it needs to do and we get the win!
Party on!
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Lot of freshman out there so I'm expecting a good amount of improvement after the bye. Couple that with an extra set of eyes and opinion on the game plan I think will help us a lot. I see this game as a huge momentum game for the season. Pull off a decent win and I think it just snowballs into next week. Lose and we may be struggling for a bowl game at the end of the season again.
That being said, for the past 5 years or so, I've hated playing well coached and disciplined teams. Duke is always both. We eeeeekkk out a win is what I think will happen.
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I'm expecting Foster to call another good game and for his bunch to continue to improve on scheme related points. I do expect a missed tackle or two and a missed gap or a crashing DE/LB/S on occasion. Overall I'm feeling pretty good about the D.
I'm expecting another "normal outing" from the offense. I.E. a mixed bag of OK-good play and a whole lot of head scratching moments.
I think we will win, but it won't be old school VT-Duke.
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In all honesty I'm kind of indifferent. I'm going to watch, and i'm going to drink, and I'm not going in with any expectations. I've had a good week in sports already with the Twins and Nats locking up their playoff berth, and having a hand in eliminating the Phillies was a bonus. I'm going to enjoy what I already have and not put any more demands on my sporting self this week.
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Feeling really good now! Give this man the #25 tonight
Appears that among those in attendance at Lane Stadium tonight will be legendary Atlanta Braves OF Andruw Jones #Hokieshttps://t.co/N7eEW9cW2c— The Tech Lunch Pail (@techlunchpaild) September 27, 2019
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I have a feeling that this is a turning point game. I think the team had a lot to chew (from what I have seen, they are aware of the fanbase's concerns and comments) on the last couple of weeks and hopefully will get healed out and play with renewed spirit.
At this point, I'm good with gritty drag out fighting wins, and I think this game may be it. I think that it will provide some motivation and spark and get this team on the right path for this year and our Natty Champ years of 2020 and 2021.
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Be feeling a lot better if the folks at Blacksburg Middle School hadn't scheduled a middle school dance from 7-9 tonight, to which my daughter's attendance is preventing me from getting fully "engaged" with the game day experience until probably late in the third quarter.
Feeling fine about the outcome of the game, though.
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I actually really excited for this game. I think Duke and VT are pretty evenly matched so this will be a great test to see if VT can beat a team in a tough fight.
I'm trying real hard to just enjoy each game and to view each one as an individual game without applying future implications to each result. That gets too tiring. Being upset about a win just because you are looking ahead to how we will perform against a later opponent is taking the fun out of football for me. So, win or lose I'm going to try my hardest to enjoy the game and not get doom and gloom about the future. We will see if I can actually accomplish that.
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I'm not sure why people are acting like this is a sudden development. From 2011-2016, our game versus Duke was decided by only one score 4 out of 5 times, with Duke winning twice (2013 & 2015).
Meanwhile Fuente is 3-0 against Duke with the last two wins coming by 17 and 21 points.
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In RE: to your last paragraph, let me know how it works and what you did to accomplish it - seriously. I literally have told myself this every game since about the 2015 season and it's an enormous work in progress. I've evolved from the days of going ballistic and stewing over games for days and days, but I'm not at the 'sit there calmly and don't let it eat you up' stage just yet.
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Feeling oddly optimistic. I have a sense that a number of things (secondary play, run blocking, Willis decision-making and reads) are going to hit positive tipping points tonight.
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I'm honestly a bit nervous. I can't remember the last time this team came out of a bye week not sleepwalking. But I think it's a winnable game if the team is fired up and focused. I'll watch as much as I can
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I mean... you literally only have to go back two seasons and we beat UNC by 52 points coming off our bye week. And the year, we came off a bye and beat #17 ranked UNC by 31.
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Fuente's strength used to be having extra time to prepare. He went 3-0 in 2016 and 2-1 in 2017 with a solid win over WVU and predicted loss to OK St. Then last year we started with the FSU win and... everything has gone bad starting with ODU. It feels like the entire direction of the program changed with that loss.
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A little nervous - I tried the Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich for lunch today and I'm pretty sure it is going to give me the shits so I'm not sure how much of the game I will get to watch live.
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I'm quite nervous because this is the first game that can put a significant dent in our ACC Coastal hopes. We lost to BC, but it was an inter-divisional game so we still 'controlled our destiny' in the ACC Coastal after the loss. The ODU and Furman games were non-conference games, obviously. If we drop 2 conference games before we hit October, we're in bad shape. I think we'll win, but it'll be a tight one. The only games I won't be worried about going forward are OOC games Notre Dame and Rhode Island (and, maaaaaaaybe Georgia Tech because they are in a total and complete rebuild).
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Comments
Missing the days when Duke was a gimme. That stated,
LET'S GO!
HOKIES!!
I turned down tickets so I could get my daughter home from day care... I'm coupling that thought with the fact we also haven't won a home game in which I've been in attendance (many games) since the Pitt goal line stand.... sooo....
Karma Points = We Win
So if we win you are turning down tickets for the rest of the season or rest of your life? Just asking......
Me, I think that due to recent staff changes we are going to KILL them.
If staying home meant increasing the odds of a VT win every week, I wouldn't bat an eye. But I would open up an electronic tip jar, so Hokies with a post game high can log in and donate what it's worth to them to have VicTories.
Thank you for your service.
Well, I guess we can rule your attendance out as a root cause of the problems...
Last night really imploded my business plan....
At the very worst its Friday, and I'll have a cocktail or 10 by the end of the night.... so not bad.
Hokies winning would be nice though
time to polish off some White Claws
Not a White Claw fan... don't understand the hype, but then again, I am not a big seltzer fan either.
Understandable but you should give Mango White Claws a try.
As for the game, the next 3 game stretch (@ Miami, vs RI) is a big litmus test for the team. How do we handle well managed/skilled teams and then do we blowout teams that should have no right going up 14-0 against us.
Also, you're not Eric by any chance are you? I feel like my friend Sam has mentioned your handle
Mr. Bendre.... GO POUND SAND! lol
They are EXCELLENT for the next morning after the game.
I'm not ashamed to say, the last 3 years when we're at South Myrtle for 7 days in 90 degree heat everyday, I moved from beer to Vodka Sodas or White Claws cuz there's no bloat factor.
When I stopped being 20 something, all beer turned into a hell of a hungover type drink. It was crazy. If I have any beer now, I'm bloated for days and have the worst headache. Started going straight bourbon but the sugar in there started doing the headache thing for me too. Tried out Trulys at OBX this summer, had a ton, felt great the next day with no bloat. It was amazing.
I still ride the beer train for tailgates or any mass/group drinking events that doesn't involve prolonged direct 90+ degree heat/sun or weddings.
The end result with Claws vs Beer is also very different. Claws wont result in dying plant life or a mass room evacuation like craft beer will.
I'm a musician and I've drank coors light since 16 or so. I'm 42 now. I get terrible hangovers but I do go pretty hard during/after gigs and at ball games. Hard waters are absolutely the best for the next day or the beach for sure!
Smirnoff or bust!
LETS GOO.....
H O K I E S!
HOKIES!!!!
It's football and I am excited. This is the first non-Saturday game I've ever been to. We had a bye week get healthy and work on the kinks.
I was going to use this if it was not already being used. Leg.
Not great but I've got Duke +4 so it's all gravy baby.
Well, now I know who I'm blaming if we lose
I've picked VT ATS vs Furman and ODU I just actually put money on it this time haha
VT 0-3 ATS this year and I would ride that train until I'm given a solid reason to hop off.
Not too good. I feel, just on what Furman did, that we lose by a margin greater than two scores.
Hopeful for an unexpected offensive explosion.
Afraid of possible running QB headaches on defense, but otherwise think we can limit them.
Looking back we turned in our best game of the year against Duke in 2018. I think we'll be ready for them coming off the bye.
If no Hokie turnovers...we win.
It's Disney Halloween tonight for two year olds third birthday Disney weekend. So ok I guess, won't see Hokies or any but really late Saturday games, but hopefully kids behave and we have a great time at Disney!
She is 2 turns 3 Sunday while at Disney.
If we lose it's a real bad sign for the rest of conference play, if we win it might not mean much for the rest of conference play.
I've watched a few other ACC games and it's going to be a crapshoot every time out. Duke could beat us by 15 and we go beat Miami, or the reverse. Only one good/consistent team.
I'm feeling pretty good. Hard to have complete confidence in our team, but I'm optimistic the D will look solid and we will find some creative ways to run the football and move the ball with the passing game. Turnovers, as always, will be a huge factor, and I feel on the fence about our ability to avoid them. Obviously we have not avoided them this season thus far but I'm hoping the law of averages works in our favor here.
We beat them last year and I believe our defense is better and our offense is more talented than it was then. That said, I have no expectations.
We'll be watching from our new inflatable hot tub so I really just want to relax and enjoy my Friday night.
I always find a way to be optimistic by the time gameday rolls around. Even in our worst seasons since becoming a fan, I'm right about half the time...
Not good at all, but I never do before any game. The great thing is, unlike other seasons, my expectations are so low that I literally have a tough time getting as riled up as the Ernest of old. Hoping to see the defense play as solid as they looked at times last week, Willis and Co. hold on to the ball, and the good guys giving Lane a reason to stay loud all game. Go Hokies!
I'm kinda pissed off that I have to miss attending the game due to work, but I should get to see most of it on TV. Other than that, I'm cautiously optimistic about our chances, as always.
Prepared to drink more than I should.
I have to work too late today to make it :( Also, have to get up early to prep for a gig in Bluefield tomorrow. If anyone is at Oktoberfest in Bluefield tomorrow come say hi! I'm the drummer in Space Monkey. I think that we will probably see a lot of running the ball tomorrow with not many trick plays. Kill's influence and all coming into play already.
As I put on the White Out shirt this morning, I go the familiar rush of game day excitement. Added the maroon shorts and orange shoes so I don't need to say anything to scream Go Hokies. I am ready. Wife game me the typical "are you really gonna wear that?" look, but knows there is no point in saying it. I replied anyway with: "We may not have the best team, but we do have better fans." I mean it. I'm excited its game day, and grateful for the chance to cheer on my Hokies, even if from a local bar instead of the stadium, and show my support proudly.
I feel really good about our chances if Garbutt and Hazelton are able to play. But if they aren't, then I think it will be tough to pull out a W.
I think a healthy Hazelton will help out Turner greatly, therefore opening up the offense more. Garbutt is our best DL on a defense that has been improved thus far. I think he was/is primed for a breakout year.
Would help Willis out as well, Haz was his security blanket at the beginning of Willis' tenure.
I think their QBs are going to run all over the D. Yes, multiple. Will the offense be able to put up enough points to stay in the game?
The cynical me finds it sadly fitting that VT is playing on Friday night.
The hokie me is all it's just Duke, we got this.
The 70 hours a work week me just wants to go to bed early.
I love another opportunity to excel athletically.
I still enjoy watching. It's frustrating at time but hey, they're my team. I'll be here with a Coors in hand. Cheering my boys the best I can.
More just eager for the game to be here, tough getting through today waiting for things to start this evening. Like many just optimistic that some small changes have happened, mostly just want to see a clean game, no turnovers.
Predictions:
Close game. Tech comes out and puts points up early. Sluggish second and third quarter with an assumed Duke victory leading up to the last 3/4's of the fourth quarter. Tech gets their shit together and puts up enough points to win... barely.
Senator Blutarsky starts 'tailgating' around 12:00. Walks towards the stadium around 6:20. Regrets having eaten some item at the tailgate around 7:10, but suffers through like a champ. Moves to a new seat around 7:25. Watches game. Makes it home by 12:20.
That's all I have.
FEAAASSSTTTTT
Feaster?
Tavien pls
Honestly, I am excited for the game, but not at the levels like in past years. Ever since the BC game (and shoot maybe even back to the ODU game last year), I've got this weird "expecting us to flop" feeling, and just a general 'blah' feeling towards Hokie football. I have no excuse on feeling this way - I way upped my donation to the Hokie Club at the beginning of the year, I've been locked in on articles and coverage of the team, I love to talk about the team, but for some reason that feeling is still there.
This probably doesn't make sense to anyone - but it's just a weird feeling for me
Having said that - Let's Fucking Go!
My dad always told me to follow my instincts.
hoping for a fam thread, ready for a meh thread, but expecting both
I said this game wasn't a must win in the thread earlier this week. I may be changing my mind on this. This feels like a big moment for Justin Fuente and the his future here at Virginia Tech. You're home, against a conference opponent which you've had success against lately, in prime time (albeit Friday).
A win would give this team its first hint of momentum all season and make the game against an also struggling Miami team next week seem more winnable. It would go a long way in rejuvinating the fan base's interest and remind us all that Hokie Football can be enjoyable to watch and not just a slog.
Listening to PAPN yesterday, it kinda shook me to hear Godfrey say that a loss might be the beginning of the end of the Fuente tenure. As a completely neutral, yet informed external observer, it has been wild to hear him go from "The Fuente hire is the best cultural fit", to "I know it's not great right now but VT will be fine", to "Yeah this is bad and I don't know what's wrong but something is wrong."
I can't imagine being excited to watch a 2-2 (0-2) team travel down to Miami next week. It would further push a lot of fans away from caring this year. I don't know man. Not trying to be pessimistic but it's just how I'm feeling right now.
That said, I hope I see a team that plays with the sense of urgency this game deserves. I want to see the best players on the field. I want to see this staff coach like their jobs depend on it, because they just might. I want to see the underdog mentality and toughness that this program was built upon. I want to see us play to win a game instead of looking like we're trying not to lose.
I'm anxious. I'm tired of seeing the college football world crap on this team. We are too talented to be as bad as we've looked. I'm ready to be disappointed, but I hope to be surprised.
Great post right here...I'm really hoping this Kill hire will start to pay dividends beginning with this game and I actually expect VT to run the ball for over 200 yards tonight.
My concern with Kill is that this is like when UVA hired Tom O'Brien to coach Mike London.
Agree with this 100%. I'm not convinced this game is a 'must win' but it's definitely a 'must show improvement.' On the other hand, we still control our own destiny, winning today will continue that narrative.
Had the same reaction. Godfrey's recent talk about VT has been jarring, and has me wondering if we have a Fuente problem or a VT problem.
On a somewhat unrelated note, I do want Godfrey to compare UCLA/Chip Kelley to VT/Fuente. I definitely think there's some similarities, especially after reading these tweets from Chris Coleman.
Tech by 40
I just hope we don't embarrass ourselves.
Get that negative attitude out of here. LETS EAT FAM
I've got some badddd news
My wife and I were planning to head down for this game. It was going to be our last game of the year as she was due with our son on October 31st. However he decided to come early on 9/24. Both mom and baby are happy and healthy, and interest in this game has taken a back seat.
Feeling good about a win, but for the first time ever I may have to set an alarm to remember to watch.
Go Hokies!
Congrats! Enjoy his first game.
Congrats! Enjoy his first game.
Phone was being stupid and double posted. Don't worry i'll be drinking soon.
Giving yourself an early Drink! for the tailgate? I like it!
Anyone who doesn't pre-game for a tailgate...
My son was born in early Sept last year, and I actually watched way more football last season than previous years. It turns out at that age, there is a just a lot of time hanging with them on a couch, typically falling in and out of consciousness with a bottle in one hand and a beer in the other.
Our daughter was born in Sept of 2011. We watched the Appy State game from my hospital room complete with Mini LancerHokie in her Tech onesie.
My oldest was -1 week at the Boise fiasco (he showed up about a month early), at least I had a designated DD...
My daughter was born the afternoon of the 2003 Insight bowl game vs Cal and Aaron Rodgers. Watched that game in the hospital room that night.
Got a wedding rehearsal dinner I'll be stuck at from 7 on at the boathouse in midlo and they wont have tvs so I'm stuck debating to keep tabs through ESPN app during the dinner or wait to watch the recording when I get home after but part of me doesnt want to stay up till 1 am watching the replay for us to lose.
NEVER PLAN WEDDINGS DURING THE FALL DAMNIT
Wedding.... rehearsal?
This was me at the same venue last year for a wedding during a game. No TV's = watching on my xfinity app under the table while trying to remain social. You got this.
The struggle is real why dont they have atleast a few TV's and a bar there instead I'll be stuck at a rehearsal dinner with nobody I know aside from the fiance when I'd much rather be a BWWs with wings and the game.
It happens, man. Next week I'll be in the same situation with the Miami game. Step-brother's soon to be wife is a loluva grad so she of course picked their bye week for their wedding.
PS you don't happen to know if Tuckahoe Plantation has TV's do you?
Probably not I toured it once years ago and it was old fashioned youd be lucky to find a radio.
Time to break out the maroon and orange blazer for that one though.
Funny...judging by attendance, I thought every week at UVA was considered a "bye week"
I have 5 weddings this Football season, including a rehearsal dinner tonight, and wedding the day VT plays GT (less than 10 blocks from my home). I'm not happy about it.
I am going to a cousin's wedding in October, but I am okay with, because to get the venue she wanted they are having a Friday night wedding.
My cousin got married last weekend. I'd like to think she did it on purpose because she knew we had a bye week, but i'm sure there were other factors and it was just coincidence.
I used to consider myself a good prognosticator! This year: ?????????? I have no clue!
So-so. Duke put away some bad teams with authority. We struggled against ODU and a decent FCS team.
Holding BC to 3.3 ypc on the ground with AJ Dillon was a pretty good performance. Statistically, we should have beaten BC, but it's impossible to overcome five turnovers against ANY team.
Versus ODU we gave up 4.7 ypc. That's a reason for concern. UVA scored 3 fewer points against ODU which really makes you wonder how good PITT and FSU really are. It's possible UVA's 4-0 record, as good as it looks now, is really more a function of how bad their competition has been. Maybe ODU is good? Who knows?
Giving up 3.9 ypc vs. Furman is, quite frankly, concerning. I'll take a win anytime I can, but we won only because they are an FCS team (yes, I know. JMU 2010). It was not our performance for a full 60 minutes that got us there.
That leaves us with having to guess which team shows up when. If we come out flat, and Duke fails to capitalize on certain opportunities this could be a win. Football, by nature, is a down by down game. Teams have to remain focused over the course of the entire game to perform their best (sometimes still resulting in a loss). My concern is that our focus is really down by down. That means the outcome of the game is now equally about how we match up, and how well we concentrate. That introduces far more complexity. I know we can't win every game and I can accept losses, but I have a hard time accepting losses where we don't go down swinging. Like I said earlier, I will take a win anytime we get one, but I can also feel uncomfortable when those wins are eked out against teams we should dominate. It makes you wonder whether we are having a bad, having coaching issues, having talent issues, any of the preceding or all of the preceding.
I'm going to venture to say that the bye week will have done us well and we beat Duke.
Go Hokies!
Short answer: I feel really good.
Long answer: I actually feel like if the team can get up for the game, and if the playcalling on offense is competitive, we'll absolutely pour it on. We saw that the pieces are all there - always a solid receiving corps, plus King, Mitchell and Robinson sparking the run game. As Robbie and Pete mentioned on Two Deep, their secondary hasn't recorded a single interception, so I think if we protect the ball on the ground and avoid sacks (especially on our side of the field), we should win the turnover battle.
A QB is as good as his support, so since Harris is really the only playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, the defense can shut them down offensively if we can key in on their run game and shut down the short passes.
I've watched our team ebb and flow through the 3 games, but if we can put it all together, the first score that came to mind was 45-10 VT.
I'm going to need about 5 beers in me before I remotely start feeling this way today, but man I appreciate your optimism. Hope it turns out this way.
I don't feel good anymore.
Not.Good.
Im feeling something
I'm heading up to Blacksburg at 1 so I'll feel better with a rail in me at 2:30. Looking forward to being in Lane tonight.
I think the defense continues to improve as they have each game this year. If the offense protects the ball and has a marginal improvement, I think we win by 10+
LETS GO!
There will be a football game played tonight
love hearing the Fuente speech, a bit of a peak behind the curtain into some of that fire that people say he doesn't show all the time
I feel just fine about tonight.
Nothing is guaranteed and we need to play hard and smart to win. Not just tonight but for all our games this season. But we absolutely can do that. So let's go out there and grab the season by the horns and get back to winning Virginia Tech football.
Virginia Tech wins BIG. Keshawn King goes for over 100. Ryan Willis throws 2 TDs. Caleb Farley has a pick.
I like the setup of this game, Bye week will be huge for this offense.
Looks like play makers are starting to stretch their wings, and we have a passing threat.
I still am struggling with the defense.
It has been the weakest link 2 years going now and if things don't improve this is a big time loss.
But I like the good guys in this one.
Plus it's friday, I'll have all weekend to drink my sorrows if this one goes south.
I've had a bit of a down week. Win or lose*, I'm looking forward to seeing our boys on the TV tonight.
* 10/10 would much rather win though
Everything alright?
Broken vehicles are very frustrating. Everything else in life is cool though.
Thanks for checking up.
I'm with you man. My identity was stolen yesterday and someone purchased 4 new Iphone 11s in Dover Delaware. I have spent the past 24 hours at the police station and on the phone trying to convince people that I was not able to teleport to Delaware and be at my job at the same time.
My favorite was the Xfinity store employee that said "you showed me your I.D. sir".
That's super shitty, man.
Dang, homie. Hope it all works out.
35-17 VT wins
I feel that if we somehow manage to score more points than the other team we will win, but I have been wrong before on that...
Danny caught that ball.
Duke's DL is good and we're like 70th in total offense even though we've played 1 (mediocre) P5 team, and given our past with Corney, it's tough to feel super confident we'll score more than 24 against any P5 opponent.
Man, I had this crazy elaborate answer written initially. Deleted that and decided to simplify instead.
I'm slightly optimistic. Duke is well coached, but we've got more talent on the roster so I think we'll win. Interested to see if Fuente is willing to pull Willis early on if he's turnover prone, OR looks injured. I'm not worried about the defense.
Also, I'm very happy that this game is tonight. The wife and I got tickets to see USC-UW tomorrow, so I'll be enjoying that.
Beamer stopped by lot 18 just now...it's a sign!
#jealous
It was a great start to the day! I am never washing my shirt again.
Not gonna lie, this was the greatest thing in Lot 18 history. Never expected to see Beamer stroll by.
It was a great start to the day! I am never washing my shirt again.
Sorry phone is having issues....🍹
So, can we get a caption with names? I'd really like to put faces with the names I read on here all the time.
From what I can remember back row left to right is Magic rat, ArchonVT, Danny Coale is My Spirit Animal, ???, not on TKP. Middle row FlippinHokie, HokieEnginerd (me), rest not on TKP. First row ???, LancerHokie, no explanation needed, the rest not on TKP as far as I know.
What is this 'not on TKP' thing?
Nerds.
Done
Haters gonna hate.
You're just mad we didn't get Grandpa Frank to hold the Nick Fathead.
For me I want to see improvement. I expect to win because we're Virginia Tech and they're Duke. But I want a real, solid win. Not an escape by the skin of our teeth win.
I'd also love to see Ryan Willis play a game that tells me he deserves to be the unquestioned starter
I like our chances here. The things holding us back are all self inflicted. That is what has been so frustrating to watch. We've had times where moving the ball looked easy only to shoot our-self in the foot with a penalty, turnover, or just silly play call.
I think we move the ball and finish tonight. I think the D does what it needs to do and we get the win!
Party on!
I feel like it's a must win game, seems like I read that somewhere. /s
If Garbutt can play, I'll feel a lot better.
Lot of freshman out there so I'm expecting a good amount of improvement after the bye. Couple that with an extra set of eyes and opinion on the game plan I think will help us a lot. I see this game as a huge momentum game for the season. Pull off a decent win and I think it just snowballs into next week. Lose and we may be struggling for a bowl game at the end of the season again.
That being said, for the past 5 years or so, I've hated playing well coached and disciplined teams. Duke is always both. We eeeeekkk out a win is what I think will happen.
A few years ago, we filled up Lane with our wins
Now we win or lose
With 5 seniors but 14 freshmen in the 2 deep
great
I'm expecting Foster to call another good game and for his bunch to continue to improve on scheme related points. I do expect a missed tackle or two and a missed gap or a crashing DE/LB/S on occasion. Overall I'm feeling pretty good about the D.
I'm expecting another "normal outing" from the offense. I.E. a mixed bag of OK-good play and a whole lot of head scratching moments.
I think we will win, but it won't be old school VT-Duke.
which old school VT-Duke though...the nail-biting I can't believe this game is close or blow their doors off/our house kinda game"?
There's no other way really
I'll take "blow their doors off" please
you didn't specify which team! sigh
In all honesty I'm kind of indifferent. I'm going to watch, and i'm going to drink, and I'm not going in with any expectations. I've had a good week in sports already with the Twins and Nats locking up their playoff berth, and having a hand in eliminating the Phillies was a bonus. I'm going to enjoy what I already have and not put any more demands on my sporting self this week.
Feeling really good now! Give this man the #25 tonight
Cool - any idea what the connection is?
Clontz is in the VT Hall of Fame and former teammate of Jones on the Braves.
Thanks
I have a feeling that this is a turning point game. I think the team had a lot to chew (from what I have seen, they are aware of the fanbase's concerns and comments) on the last couple of weeks and hopefully will get healed out and play with renewed spirit.
At this point, I'm good with gritty drag out fighting wins, and I think this game may be it. I think that it will provide some motivation and spark and get this team on the right path for this year and our Natty Champ years of 2020 and 2021.
Better, having read through the comments in this thread. Thanks everyone!
Be feeling a lot better if the folks at Blacksburg Middle School hadn't scheduled a middle school dance from 7-9 tonight, to which my daughter's attendance is preventing me from getting fully "engaged" with the game day experience until probably late in the third quarter.
Feeling fine about the outcome of the game, though.
I actually really excited for this game. I think Duke and VT are pretty evenly matched so this will be a great test to see if VT can beat a team in a tough fight.
I'm trying real hard to just enjoy each game and to view each one as an individual game without applying future implications to each result. That gets too tiring. Being upset about a win just because you are looking ahead to how we will perform against a later opponent is taking the fun out of football for me. So, win or lose I'm going to try my hardest to enjoy the game and not get doom and gloom about the future. We will see if I can actually accomplish that.
I'm not sure why people are acting like this is a sudden development. From 2011-2016, our game versus Duke was decided by only one score 4 out of 5 times, with Duke winning twice (2013 & 2015).
Meanwhile Fuente is 3-0 against Duke with the last two wins coming by 17 and 21 points.
I don't happen to think this is necessarily a "sudden" development, but it still sucks.
In RE: to your last paragraph, let me know how it works and what you did to accomplish it - seriously. I literally have told myself this every game since about the 2015 season and it's an enormous work in progress. I've evolved from the days of going ballistic and stewing over games for days and days, but I'm not at the 'sit there calmly and don't let it eat you up' stage just yet.
I will report back with results.
I feel great! We've been undefeated ever since Kill joined the staff.
I'll be enjoying a few brews at OBX Brewing Station, so it'll be a good night regardless.
Feeling oddly optimistic. I have a sense that a number of things (secondary play, run blocking, Willis decision-making and reads) are going to hit positive tipping points tonight.
Shoutout to the guy I passed on 81 with the "LOL UVA" tags.
Nice!
Edit: don't we have a poster on here with those plates?
As long as the guy didn't give up his plates I used to know the guy that had these plates.
Oh ok, I think maybe that's what I'm thinking of!
... Anyone else waiting on the game thread? Lol.
I'm honestly optimistic tonight we can put a complete game together...let's get this W!
We're wearing all whites tonight, which is my favorite uni combo of all time (come at me), so my faith is officially restored.
I'm honestly a bit nervous. I can't remember the last time this team came out of a bye week not sleepwalking. But I think it's a winnable game if the team is fired up and focused. I'll watch as much as I can
For what it's worth we came out of the bye in 2017 and spanked UNC to the tune of 59-7
I mean... you literally only have to go back two seasons and we beat UNC by 52 points coming off our bye week. And the year, we came off a bye and beat #17 ranked UNC by 31.
So I guess the moral of the story is to only schedule a bye week before playing unc. Otherwise we get pantsed
Fuente's strength used to be having extra time to prepare. He went 3-0 in 2016 and 2-1 in 2017 with a solid win over WVU and predicted loss to OK St. Then last year we started with the FSU win and... everything has gone bad starting with ODU. It feels like the entire direction of the program changed with that loss.
34-21 Good Guys.
Things I want to see:
1. Limit turnovers and create some
2. Pressure QB
3. Kill show he is beginning to rectify issues in the run game and actually establish ball control
A little nervous - I tried the Popeyes spicy chicken sandwich for lunch today and I'm pretty sure it is going to give me the shits so I'm not sure how much of the game I will get to watch live.
I'm feeling pissed off at Charter, because once again, my fucking internet is out. No stream if it doesn't come back :(
Back on, just in time
I'm quite nervous because this is the first game that can put a significant dent in our ACC Coastal hopes. We lost to BC, but it was an inter-divisional game so we still 'controlled our destiny' in the ACC Coastal after the loss. The ODU and Furman games were non-conference games, obviously. If we drop 2 conference games before we hit October, we're in bad shape. I think we'll win, but it'll be a tight one. The only games I won't be worried about going forward are OOC games Notre Dame and Rhode Island (and, maaaaaaaybe Georgia Tech because they are in a total and complete rebuild).
I am in pain.
What a Clusterfuck.
It was all a dream, right?
Sure. More specifically, a nightmare.