Would we be mad French wrote an article a week before he normally does? We should say thank you instead of requesting a gif?
I don't mean to be disrespectful but you have a very unique way of displaying gratitude towards your patrons, and you really seem to have a "I'm holier than thou" demeanor lately. Hope everything's okay man.
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I don't know you Jhalf, but I am sure you're not a dick. Joe didn't like a thread I started about how a lot of people were mouthing off about beating UVA for the coastal title before Pitt came to town. He got sarcastic in multiple replies and when I called him out for being unprofessional as the head of the site, quite a few people agreed with me. As VT manhandled the Panthers tonight, it was a perfect opportunity to Joe to strike back. Another highly unprofessional move, but at this point, especially when you include the outbursts on TKP's twitter handle, who's counting?
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Yeah, that thread was on my mind when I responded, I just couldn't quite remember the circumstances specifically. I love joe and what he's built, just feel I've paid to be able to speak my mind.
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Counterpoint: joe is part of this community just as much as anyone else is, and things are always going to be monolithic to an extent since he's the developer and has put way more time into it than anyone else. It's not Joe's "day job", so why are we so hung up on professionalism?
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This is what I was trying to say at whatever gawd awful hour I typed my response. (It's down below). As far as paying customers deserving more professionalism, we get it from the articles and little insider things we read on this site. If Joe and French and any other staff want to give somebody a good ribbing (which I doubt they would in seriousness), they are still fans first. As you said, Joe doesn't make a living here. The TKPC money goes mostly to hiring a student reporter iirc.
"I have spoken"
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Honestly, if you are this upset about his "unprofessional" attitude or comments, why keep coming on here. Joe is basically the heart of this whole site and I appreciate the fact that he's just another guy who enjoys tech sports like nearly everyone on here. Bleacher report, ESPN, techsidline, and many more sites are available for you to get your VT news and notes. Bringing negativity about some light hearted jabs and back-and-forth is just making you seem petty, that it's not what you want so you complain about it. I'm not trying to get on your case here but I've seen this brought up multiple times recently and it boggles my mind. If you don't like something, it's your fault that you allow it to keep bothering you.
This isn't all aimed at you in particular, just at the sentiment I've seen on here lately of criticizing the staff for being less than what an individual wants or expects. Have a nice day and Go Hokies.
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Joe is not the heart of this site, and don't tell him that.
You are.
Most of us pay our hard earned dollars to be here (this is the only Hokie site I pay for), and I come here for Hokie news, not to hear a Hokie fan that needs to constantly hear people tell him how awesome his site is or how glad we are that he gifts us with his presence. That part of this site is a complete farce.
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One sarcastic reply is maybe lighthearted. 2 is not. And a thread after the game makes the point: this is not lighthearted, this is ax grinding.
My broader point to the leadership here is that you should remove yourself from taking stances like this in most, if not all cases involving contributors to the site. It may embolden some, but it isn't serving the site well in the long run.
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"Strike back" — I can assure you there was no malicious intent intended. Beyond the thread you started there was a discussion about looking ahead which spanned beyond even TKP. This was a joke man, not a shot at you.
And as for your thread, are we no longer doing sarcasm on TKP?!
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Yea you misread this completely. Joe is saying French and he wrote a review for an outcome that may not have happened, and in some circles is very superstitious.
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Mad? No. I do find it interesting that confidence levels in this team have changed so dramatically though. I mean we were full on pitch fork driving coaches out of town a few weeks ago.
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Despite the fun police's attempt to arrest the enthusiasm around the evening's outcome, there are nearly 6000 words trying to put form to the elegance of Bud Foster buying a round of Narduzzi salty tear doughnuts for the Lane Stadium faithful AND previewing the short passing game and exotic blitz packages of the bow tied belligerents of the Blue Ridge.
I bid you adieu.
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Either that's a shot at your boss, or a piss-poor attempt at labeling others and their intentions. There was no need for any of this and anyone can see that. If the users and paying subscribers of this site are expected to be the bigger person, you guys have a problem on your hands.
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I'm millenial so I dig it but I also really really like that it's a GenZ thing, as my parent and aunts/uncles are boomers and I don't need to cause any drama.
Good on z'all, much love.
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Turkey leg to you. To each their own. Guess I just never got the humor or thought it was witty/keen. It's the same to me as: Your "mom goes to college" or "ok snowflake"
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To me, as a high school class of 2000-era forever kid, the best response to snowflake is boomer.
No one is happy in the end, so at some point someone is going to have to act like an adult. It might be boomers, it might be gen x, it might be millennials, it might be gen z.
But at this point, after all these years of being accused of being the problem, patience has worn thin. Much love to everyone, no matter your generation, but we gotta find a balance at some point.
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Ah ok, now I see where Bruce Smiff is coming from.
I understood his point to begin with, because I've thought the same thing *on the rare occasion* over the years. But this is the kind of comment that actually makes me agree publicly with Bruce.
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Poster got upset that folks on a VT community fan site were talking too much about the game this week instead of next week. Some folks, including the site creator, disagreed with his perspective and poked some fun about it. Previously mentioned poster took this thread as a continuation of the poking fun as a result.
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Joe is making fun of SoupHokie's brother, Bruce Smith doesn't like it and won't go to Tots anymore, dcwilson has all but disappeared due to the emergence of an offense and French reveals he likes cheese in the upcoming UVA preview.
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eh, its super easy to criticize the team with out mentioning Fuente. Dont like the new DC hire, well Whit messed up. Dont like a play call, that's on Corn. Team wants more turkey bacon, that's on the misguided parents of you players not bringing their kids up correctly, there is only so much Fuente or any coach can influence.
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It seems like everyone is a little on edge that VT football could be good again. I say we unite as fans and cheer our lungs out for them. Everyone enjoy their Sunday and let hate towards the common enemy commence.
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Let's get to the fun - someone feel free to criticize something about the game and my comments and not be so personal.
My general interpretation without film study.
1). Our O vs LOLUVA D - VT has a significant advantage of playmakers vs their injury riddled secondary of the Hoos. UVA has had 3 weeks to scheme up (I don't care what they say about Liberty they spent time prepping for VT) ways to slow down the Hokies. Do they stack the box and take their chances that the Hokies will be stubborn and run the ball? Or do they protect their secondary with a lot of zone looks and take their chances up front?
Takeaway - if the Hokies protect the ball they put up points consistently.
2) LOLUVA O vs Hokie D - this is all about BP and not shutting him down, but limiting him through different looks. I expect Bud to feel him out a bit early through various pressures and adjust as the game goes on. The elusive QB can be our kryptonite at times and I will be interested to see how the D handles adversity (ex. Great coverage and good pressure and Perkins just makes a play scrambling around). Winning the game may depend on how the D handles the next play following Perkins making something out of nothing.
3) ST - joe Reed and Milledge are dangerous, but like Tayvion, Reed got banged up a bit last game. He is as dangerous as there is on KO returns so the ability to kick it out of the end zone is a big deal. I do believe this is a game that most likely will not be won on special teams, but could be lost. I'm interested to see if we have something up our sleeve if the game is close.
Overall, the Hokies have more talent and are playing better, but UVA has a chance with BP. This game comes down to getting off to a decent start, limiting BP and even forcing a miscue or two and our offensive ability to take advantage of our playmakers over the course of the game.
Hokies 31 LOLUVA 20
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Love the optimism. The D has played great, but like it or not BP presents a challenge the Hokies have not seen and they will make some plays. I hope you are right, but you can't stop everyone forever. With that said I do expect a solid defensive effort with plenty of positives.
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This makes me think - can I be confident in our defense?
Since the Wake game, I'd say we're playing as well as maybe we ever have under Bud. This is highly encouraging but I still suffer from the early season disillusionment.
I'm once bitten but there ain't no twice shy in the barn. We are what we are, and what we are at the moment is a team that will totally. fucking. dominate. LOLUVA.
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Definitely not as good as we ever have. We have had multiple #1 defenses by advanced and traditional stats (ypg, scoring D) against better competition over longer periods, but I do think this turnaround could be in the discussion of best coaching jobs/turnarounds in a single season for Bud.
This is a defense that gave up 45 to Duke at home, struggled to stop the run or pass early in the year against the objectively weaker half of our schedule. Then we play the better half of our schedule: Miami, Rhode Island, UNC, Notre Dame, Wake, GT, and Pitt and we post four consecutive elite defensive performances including a current run of 9.5 scoreless quarters.
These are the same players on the defense from the first half, many of whom played on the same defense last year which may have been Bud's worst as DC, and they are suddenly playing much more sound, aggressive, and classic LPD football. There are a few small differences like a healthy Tyjuan Garbutt, but largely the same personnel. Dax and Floyd have largely bounced back from heavily criticized starts to the season. Farley and Waller are leading the conference in just about every meaningful stat for a pair of corners, with Farley being #1 in most individual categories in the conference. Our DL has suddenly become a strength of the defense. It's pretty remarkable for a mid season turnaround. The closest example that comes to mind is how we closed out the 2012 season with a string of classic LPD performances after a few tough ones early (Gio Bernard running wild).
Edit: I realize it's not really half, but those first four games, our easiest four game stretch, felt longer as it was quite agonizing.
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I suppose I didn't express myself correctly, I should have said that we are playing as well as I've ever seen on defense right now. In the last two games we've allowed zero points and like 250 total yards or something absurd. I didn't intend to speak to the entire season, just the micro view of what we are doing in 'the most recent intercollegiate athletic event(s)'.
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He presents a challenge, but with the level at which the defense has played since the start of November, I am nothing but confident that Bud will have a scheme in place to limit his playmaking ability on the ground, and I'm hopeful that the secondary is able to succeed in one-on-one situations. It's certainly possible that it could all come tumbling down, but over the last few games the defense has inspired a lot of confidence, especially considering that, outside of Perkins, UVA doesn't have anyone on offense that scares me.
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I think you're right, and your last sentence is the key. If we focus our strategy around limiting their QB on the ground, how will they make us pay for it?
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Reed and Dubois are his main playmakers. GT managed to keep Dubois without a catch, the player who had the best thrown to/catch percentage coming into that game. Keep Perkins contained and limit those two and it's 16! I'm also going to be accepting of LOLUVA scoring in this game. I know a few people will get their panties in knots when they do on the game thread but Perkins is good enough to make something to happen at least once this game.
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I mean, a third straight shutout would be a nice sendoff for Bud, but realistically they're going to score, and probably a couple times. I don't see much more than that happening, since it appears that Bud is able to make adjustments more on-the-fly now than he has in years, probably since almost everyone on the field is finishing up their second or third year as a starter.
In any case, I find myself looking forward to this game this year, for the first time in a while.
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This. I've accepted that they'll probably score, but I think we'll be able to limit Perkins most of the game minus a few plays. He'll make some plays inevitably. Dubois and Reed are solid, but I still wouldn't be surprised early to see Bud load the Box and leave Farley and Waller on an island to test it out. I could see this playing out early as a FG or TD, but I think we adjust early enough and find what works best for us. Unless we completely fold defensively (which I don't see the way we've been playing), I don't see UVA putting up more than Wake - 17. That said, we should be able to easily put up 4 TD's on them (GT put up 28 and Liberty 27) so as long as we do that and protect the ball, I think we take this by 10-17 pts. Ugh, I'm still nervous though.
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I agree. The limitation of this DL is lack of explosive speed. The other side of that coin is that they very rarely over-pursue. They are much more like a python than a cobra. BP will outrun the cobra two times out of three, but he can't escape the python.
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I think the Hoos are going to load up to stop the run. They can be had over the middle. I'd like to see a lot of James Mitchell and Dalton Keane.
Stopping Perkins will be tough. He's not garbage like the last two QBs the Hokies have faced.
On a general note, I'm really disappointed how far off the ACC has fallen this year. The league as a whole is just straight up bad. Miami lost to FlU yesterday. That's not even JMU bad... it's much worse.
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I tend to agree on loading up to stop the run as if anything it might slow us down a bit. If so, this will become an opportunity out for Hendon and the outside skill guys to make plays. UVA has nothing to lose (which sounds crazy - quick is the coastal right?) in some ways. If they lose it's just another game, so I expect them to take some chances tactically (trick play or 2) and strategically (find something to say you won't beat us with that - aka running the ball).
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Eh... FIU is now bowl-eligible, even though Miami was their first (and only) P5 opponent of the season they've played a much tougher schedule than JMU does, and JMU finished the 2010 season 6-5. Sure, it's a game that Miami has no business losing, but let's not pretend it's much worse than us losing to ECU. Even though it shouldn't happen on a game-by-game basis, every once in a while you're bound to slip up and give them one.
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How is everyone feeling about the crowd? With LOLUVA adding the donation requirement which made the tickets about 100 bucks even split among people? Also on stubhub tickets are priced fairly high is that LOLUVA fans trying to cash in or actual demand on stubhub?
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I've heard rumblings that there's a glitch in their cart system that makes it possible to buy tickets without the donation, so that may be something to look into.
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Losing money on that "donation requirement" levels out a little bit when you consider savings from using promo code "TECH40" at Papa Johns as well as getting $1 medium Iced Coffees for using your Dunkin' App the day after Tech wins.
Also, side note: It's sad that Bud's leaving after this year because there's huge regional marketing potential with the Dunkin Donuts. Examples:
If Bud Donuts, You Donut: "Every time Virginia Tech posts a shutout, enjoy half off a dozen donuts"
Any time we have a shutout going into the 2nd half, post a quick video before the 2nd half kick of Bud in a Dunkin' uniform saying: "Time to make the Donuts"
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Comments
FAM!!! Our leaders predict the future!
They don't predict it, they invent the future
edit: they also invent me having a drink
Nope. I love the confidence. Actually, fuck that piece, put out the Clemson vs VT preview instead.
Yeah, what he said ☝🏾
There you guys go again...inventing the future
🤔
Invent the future bitches
Something tells me we would never have been privy to this information had we lost, so no. Not at all. That's some forward thinking
Who wins?
We do
Word. I was only slightly worried.
It's time to fill Lane Stadium North, Bud said so!
Is there a place to watch the game in DMV that's friendly for autistic kids?
That's why I pay to be a TKPC member....
OK SO I WANT A CALL TO ARMS
Bud deserves Hall of Fame and it now comes down to us to motivate and execute the strategy that makes Bud's HOF nomination too loud to ignore.
Nice. Now tell me you already have the GIFtory done and I'll be really impressed
Had we lost, the blame would have fallen on you.
s/
Bruce smiff has entered the chat
give it to me baby...uh huh..uh huh
To UVA:
God I hope UVA is scared shitless of us. I hope they're scared so bad they fold at the first sign of trouble friday. Let's whip some Hoo ass.
That last line was one less "o" away from diverting this thread into a whole different direction
My buddy who is a UVA fan is so scared he gave me 4 tickets and a parking pass to the game for Free.99.
Don't knock him. He's a good friend and knows what's what.
He is. I told him as repayment he gets a free fishing trip next summer
Any word on Turner?
Think he will be fine.
I hope. He looked a bit spaced after that hit. Rightfully so.
Apparently Tre was in the North Stands after the game. That's not exactly a medical diagnosis, but it seems hopeful.
Yep, saw him run into the stands and the whole time I was muttering to myself, "please don't slip and sprain an ankle."
Would we be mad French wrote an article a week before he normally does? We should say thank you instead of requesting a gif?
I don't mean to be disrespectful but you have a very unique way of displaying gratitude towards your patrons, and you really seem to have a "I'm holier than thou" demeanor lately. Hope everything's okay man.
Uhh....this guy. Dick. Ignore. Thanks Joe.
Why am I a dick? Just pointing out an observation, if you have a counterpoint (beyond "dick!!"), great, feel free to say it.
I don't know you Jhalf, but I am sure you're not a dick. Joe didn't like a thread I started about how a lot of people were mouthing off about beating UVA for the coastal title before Pitt came to town. He got sarcastic in multiple replies and when I called him out for being unprofessional as the head of the site, quite a few people agreed with me. As VT manhandled the Panthers tonight, it was a perfect opportunity to Joe to strike back. Another highly unprofessional move, but at this point, especially when you include the outbursts on TKP's twitter handle, who's counting?
Yeah, that thread was on my mind when I responded, I just couldn't quite remember the circumstances specifically. I love joe and what he's built, just feel I've paid to be able to speak my mind.
I can't say I love Joe. The site is awesome. He just needs to take a step back from these types of public responses. His job is different now.
Counterpoint: joe is part of this community just as much as anyone else is, and things are always going to be monolithic to an extent since he's the developer and has put way more time into it than anyone else. It's not Joe's "day job", so why are we so hung up on professionalism?
This is what I was trying to say at whatever gawd awful hour I typed my response. (It's down below). As far as paying customers deserving more professionalism, we get it from the articles and little insider things we read on this site. If Joe and French and any other staff want to give somebody a good ribbing (which I doubt they would in seriousness), they are still fans first. As you said, Joe doesn't make a living here. The TKPC money goes mostly to hiring a student reporter iirc.
"I have spoken"
Honestly, if you are this upset about his "unprofessional" attitude or comments, why keep coming on here. Joe is basically the heart of this whole site and I appreciate the fact that he's just another guy who enjoys tech sports like nearly everyone on here. Bleacher report, ESPN, techsidline, and many more sites are available for you to get your VT news and notes. Bringing negativity about some light hearted jabs and back-and-forth is just making you seem petty, that it's not what you want so you complain about it. I'm not trying to get on your case here but I've seen this brought up multiple times recently and it boggles my mind. If you don't like something, it's your fault that you allow it to keep bothering you.
This isn't all aimed at you in particular, just at the sentiment I've seen on here lately of criticizing the staff for being less than what an individual wants or expects. Have a nice day and Go Hokies.
Joe is not the heart of this site, and don't tell him that.
You are.
Most of us pay our hard earned dollars to be here (this is the only Hokie site I pay for), and I come here for Hokie news, not to hear a Hokie fan that needs to constantly hear people tell him how awesome his site is or how glad we are that he gifts us with his presence. That part of this site is a complete farce.
One sarcastic reply is maybe lighthearted. 2 is not. And a thread after the game makes the point: this is not lighthearted, this is ax grinding.
My broader point to the leadership here is that you should remove yourself from taking stances like this in most, if not all cases involving contributors to the site. It may embolden some, but it isn't serving the site well in the long run.
Shit, I missed the memo on the number of sarcastic remarks we are allowed on here.
"Strike back" — I can assure you there was no malicious intent intended. Beyond the thread you started there was a discussion about looking ahead which spanned beyond even TKP. This was a joke man, not a shot at you.
And as for your thread, are we no longer doing sarcasm on TKP?!
No, sarcasm is no longer allowed per community guidelines. In really would have thought you would have known that.
Yea you misread this completely. Joe is saying French and he wrote a review for an outcome that may not have happened, and in some circles is very superstitious.
I understand what he meant.
Oh, IS that what Joe's point was? This was a childish response that is digging a little hole in TKP's credibility.
Dude. I hate to break it to you, but not everything is about you.
Bbbuttt.... I get upset when people don't fan correctly!
The thread was a joke on the whole meta discussion on TKP over looking ahead. Instead of focusing on Pitt content, French and I looked ahead to UVA.
Joe, I think I speak for most of TKP here when I say
Can we get our Clemson preview before Turkey Day as well?
Mad? No. I do find it interesting that confidence levels in this team have changed so dramatically though. I mean we were full on pitch fork driving coaches out of town a few weeks ago.
Despite the fun police's attempt to arrest the enthusiasm around the evening's outcome, there are nearly 6000 words trying to put form to the elegance of Bud Foster buying a round of Narduzzi salty tear doughnuts for the Lane Stadium faithful AND previewing the short passing game and exotic blitz packages of the bow tied belligerents of the Blue Ridge.
I bid you adieu.
Time to hunt some Hoos
Either that's a shot at your boss, or a piss-poor attempt at labeling others and their intentions. There was no need for any of this and anyone can see that. If the users and paying subscribers of this site are expected to be the bigger person, you guys have a problem on your hands.
He said good day sir!!
ok boomer
Ugh this remark is so cringey, and I'm 26 years old
I'm millenial so I dig it but I also really really like that it's a GenZ thing, as my parent and aunts/uncles are boomers and I don't need to cause any drama.
Good on z'all, much love.
Turkey leg to you. To each their own. Guess I just never got the humor or thought it was witty/keen. It's the same to me as: Your "mom goes to college" or "ok snowflake"
To me, as a high school class of 2000-era forever kid, the best response to snowflake is boomer.
No one is happy in the end, so at some point someone is going to have to act like an adult. It might be boomers, it might be gen x, it might be millennials, it might be gen z.
But at this point, after all these years of being accused of being the problem, patience has worn thin. Much love to everyone, no matter your generation, but we gotta find a balance at some point.
Somebody has a case of the Muhn-days!
Ah ok, now I see where Bruce Smiff is coming from.
I understood his point to begin with, because I've thought the same thing *on the rare occasion* over the years. But this is the kind of comment that actually makes me agree publicly with Bruce.
Lighten up, Francis.
You da man, my SWVA friend!
"bow tied belligerents of the Blue Ridge" would get a leg as a stand-alone post.
Nearly? Come on just fill the column with "eat shit pitt" until you break 6000.
Hopefully everyone has sobered up!
Didn't you bad someone for posting a fam thread at halftime last week? 🤔🤗
no
Yeah, that was me, but no hard feelings
EAT SHIT PITT
The hell is going on in here
People are getting narduzzi-levels of salty because joe is a person who enjoys his hobby and it hurts their feelings
Poster got upset that folks on a VT community fan site were talking too much about the game this week instead of next week. Some folks, including the site creator, disagreed with his perspective and poked some fun about it. Previously mentioned poster took this thread as a continuation of the poking fun as a result.
Guy got butthurt on the Internet. Nothing to see here, folks!
Joe is making fun of SoupHokie's brother, Bruce Smith doesn't like it and won't go to Tots anymore, dcwilson has all but disappeared due to the emergence of an offense and French reveals he likes cheese in the upcoming UVA preview.
Not sure if this a spoiler or bait, but cracked up.
Sounds fair
DC's disappearance is probably because he knows he won't be able to stick to his word and never criticize Fuente again after he takes us to Charlotte.
eh, its super easy to criticize the team with out mentioning Fuente. Dont like the new DC hire, well Whit messed up. Dont like a play call, that's on Corn. Team wants more turkey bacon, that's on the misguided parents of you players not bringing their kids up correctly, there is only so much Fuente or any coach can influence.
Iirc, he's in Hawaii right now. I remember him being upset at the cost of tickets for the tourney and that you couldn't get individual game tickets
My comment was mostly in jest, but you're probably right.
Damn people, we just posted back to back shutouts. I see no reason to be butthurt about anything!
I'd like a discussion about our gameplan vs. Clemson.
Sunshine is going to throw some INT's.
Not at all mad. You were acting in confidence that the Hokies would take care of business against Pitt, and your confidence paid off!
I can't wait to post my prediction from two weeks ago...but I'll wait so as not to anger the football gods!
My Prediction for the Clemson game?
https://media.giphy.com/media/1swY684seKPWWMmTRj/giphy.gif
We gonna win? Asking for my bank account.
It seems like everyone is a little on edge that VT football could be good again. I say we unite as fans and cheer our lungs out for them. Everyone enjoy their Sunday and let hate towards the common enemy commence.
Oh for fuck's sake people. Hate week is for LOLUVa, not other Hokies.
Let's get to the fun - someone feel free to criticize something about the game and my comments and not be so personal.
My general interpretation without film study.
1). Our O vs LOLUVA D - VT has a significant advantage of playmakers vs their injury riddled secondary of the Hoos. UVA has had 3 weeks to scheme up (I don't care what they say about Liberty they spent time prepping for VT) ways to slow down the Hokies. Do they stack the box and take their chances that the Hokies will be stubborn and run the ball? Or do they protect their secondary with a lot of zone looks and take their chances up front?
Takeaway - if the Hokies protect the ball they put up points consistently.
2) LOLUVA O vs Hokie D - this is all about BP and not shutting him down, but limiting him through different looks. I expect Bud to feel him out a bit early through various pressures and adjust as the game goes on. The elusive QB can be our kryptonite at times and I will be interested to see how the D handles adversity (ex. Great coverage and good pressure and Perkins just makes a play scrambling around). Winning the game may depend on how the D handles the next play following Perkins making something out of nothing.
3) ST - joe Reed and Milledge are dangerous, but like Tayvion, Reed got banged up a bit last game. He is as dangerous as there is on KO returns so the ability to kick it out of the end zone is a big deal. I do believe this is a game that most likely will not be won on special teams, but could be lost. I'm interested to see if we have something up our sleeve if the game is close.
Overall, the Hokies have more talent and are playing better, but UVA has a chance with BP. This game comes down to getting off to a decent start, limiting BP and even forcing a miscue or two and our offensive ability to take advantage of our playmakers over the course of the game.
Hokies 31 LOLUVA 20
Love this.
Though at the moment I'm thinking 20 is a bit generous.
Yeah, they aren't going to score more than our last 3 opponents combined.
Love the optimism. The D has played great, but like it or not BP presents a challenge the Hokies have not seen and they will make some plays. I hope you are right, but you can't stop everyone forever. With that said I do expect a solid defensive effort with plenty of positives.
This makes me think - can I be confident in our defense?
Since the Wake game, I'd say we're playing as well as maybe we ever have under Bud. This is highly encouraging but I still suffer from the early season disillusionment.
I'm once bitten but there ain't no twice shy in the barn. We are what we are, and what we are at the moment is a team that will totally. fucking. dominate. LOLUVA.
Definitely not as good as we ever have. We have had multiple #1 defenses by advanced and traditional stats (ypg, scoring D) against better competition over longer periods, but I do think this turnaround could be in the discussion of best coaching jobs/turnarounds in a single season for Bud.
This is a defense that gave up 45 to Duke at home, struggled to stop the run or pass early in the year against the objectively weaker half of our schedule. Then we play the better half of our schedule: Miami, Rhode Island, UNC, Notre Dame, Wake, GT, and Pitt and we post four consecutive elite defensive performances including a current run of 9.5 scoreless quarters.
These are the same players on the defense from the first half, many of whom played on the same defense last year which may have been Bud's worst as DC, and they are suddenly playing much more sound, aggressive, and classic LPD football. There are a few small differences like a healthy Tyjuan Garbutt, but largely the same personnel. Dax and Floyd have largely bounced back from heavily criticized starts to the season. Farley and Waller are leading the conference in just about every meaningful stat for a pair of corners, with Farley being #1 in most individual categories in the conference. Our DL has suddenly become a strength of the defense. It's pretty remarkable for a mid season turnaround. The closest example that comes to mind is how we closed out the 2012 season with a string of classic LPD performances after a few tough ones early (Gio Bernard running wild).
Edit: I realize it's not really half, but those first four games, our easiest four game stretch, felt longer as it was quite agonizing.
Agreed on all counts.
I suppose I didn't express myself correctly, I should have said that we are playing as well as I've ever seen on defense right now. In the last two games we've allowed zero points and like 250 total yards or something absurd. I didn't intend to speak to the entire season, just the micro view of what we are doing in 'the most recent intercollegiate athletic event(s)'.
He presents a challenge, but with the level at which the defense has played since the start of November, I am nothing but confident that Bud will have a scheme in place to limit his playmaking ability on the ground, and I'm hopeful that the secondary is able to succeed in one-on-one situations. It's certainly possible that it could all come tumbling down, but over the last few games the defense has inspired a lot of confidence, especially considering that, outside of Perkins, UVA doesn't have anyone on offense that scares me.
I think you're right, and your last sentence is the key. If we focus our strategy around limiting their QB on the ground, how will they make us pay for it?
Reed and Dubois are his main playmakers. GT managed to keep Dubois without a catch, the player who had the best thrown to/catch percentage coming into that game. Keep Perkins contained and limit those two and it's 16! I'm also going to be accepting of LOLUVA scoring in this game. I know a few people will get their panties in knots when they do on the game thread but Perkins is good enough to make something to happen at least once this game.
I mean, a third straight shutout would be a nice sendoff for Bud, but realistically they're going to score, and probably a couple times. I don't see much more than that happening, since it appears that Bud is able to make adjustments more on-the-fly now than he has in years, probably since almost everyone on the field is finishing up their second or third year as a starter.
In any case, I find myself looking forward to this game this year, for the first time in a while.
This. I've accepted that they'll probably score, but I think we'll be able to limit Perkins most of the game minus a few plays. He'll make some plays inevitably. Dubois and Reed are solid, but I still wouldn't be surprised early to see Bud load the Box and leave Farley and Waller on an island to test it out. I could see this playing out early as a FG or TD, but I think we adjust early enough and find what works best for us. Unless we completely fold defensively (which I don't see the way we've been playing), I don't see UVA putting up more than Wake - 17. That said, we should be able to easily put up 4 TD's on them (GT put up 28 and Liberty 27) so as long as we do that and protect the ball, I think we take this by 10-17 pts. Ugh, I'm still nervous though.
I agree. The limitation of this DL is lack of explosive speed. The other side of that coin is that they very rarely over-pursue. They are much more like a python than a cobra. BP will outrun the cobra two times out of three, but he can't escape the python.
I like the way you think, sir!
Looks like you got a stray 2 in your score prediction.
I think the Hoos are going to load up to stop the run. They can be had over the middle. I'd like to see a lot of James Mitchell and Dalton Keane.
Stopping Perkins will be tough. He's not garbage like the last two QBs the Hokies have faced.
On a general note, I'm really disappointed how far off the ACC has fallen this year. The league as a whole is just straight up bad. Miami lost to FlU yesterday. That's not even JMU bad... it's much worse.
I tend to agree on loading up to stop the run as if anything it might slow us down a bit. If so, this will become an opportunity out for Hendon and the outside skill guys to make plays. UVA has nothing to lose (which sounds crazy - quick is the coastal right?) in some ways. If they lose it's just another game, so I expect them to take some chances tactically (trick play or 2) and strategically (find something to say you won't beat us with that - aka running the ball).
Couldn't happen to a nicer team.
FIU is at least an FBS team and a cross town "rival". JMU was a 6-5 team thay we should have sleep walked through.
EDIT: Should have beat sleep walking
checks notes "we did"
Eh... FIU is now bowl-eligible, even though Miami was their first (and only) P5 opponent of the season they've played a much tougher schedule than JMU does, and JMU finished the 2010 season 6-5. Sure, it's a game that Miami has no business losing, but let's not pretend it's much worse than us losing to ECU. Even though it shouldn't happen on a game-by-game basis, every once in a while you're bound to slip up and give them one.
I'd like to take a second to say fuck Washington & Lee. Carry on.
As former keydet, fuck the minks.
the UVA of virginia!
How is everyone feeling about the crowd? With LOLUVA adding the donation requirement which made the tickets about 100 bucks even split among people? Also on stubhub tickets are priced fairly high is that LOLUVA fans trying to cash in or actual demand on stubhub?
Their strategy was dumb. I doubt it changes the % of Hokies to Hoos but might decrease overall turnout slightly
I've heard rumblings that there's a glitch in their cart system that makes it possible to buy tickets without the donation, so that may be something to look into.
Losing money on that "donation requirement" levels out a little bit when you consider savings from using promo code "TECH40" at Papa Johns as well as getting $1 medium Iced Coffees for using your Dunkin' App the day after Tech wins.
Also, side note: It's sad that Bud's leaving after this year because there's huge regional marketing potential with the Dunkin Donuts. Examples:
If Bud Donuts, You Donut: "Every time Virginia Tech posts a shutout, enjoy half off a dozen donuts"
Any time we have a shutout going into the 2nd half, post a quick video before the 2nd half kick of Bud in a Dunkin' uniform saying: "Time to make the Donuts"
