Recent Comments
Definitely agree, but ionno if you've noticed my previous posts on the site, I already think there is something wrong with where our coaches' heads are at haha. But I'm with you, JC4 should be the clear starter. I think he will be.
But if Holmes or anyone else besides Coleman lines up in the backfield on our first offensive snap, there is something wrong with where our coaches' heads are at.
hopefully those comments are a "keep the young guy grounded" kind of deal. I think JC4 will start and get the bulk of the carries, deservedly so. Regardless, we need LT3 to make the right reads and be more of a presence in the run game (like last week) or none of our backs will be successful.
This is sad to hear. It is also indicative of a huge problem with how our society uses the internet and social media. Some people do not seem to realize that there are consequences to what they type... if these same morons were to speak in public the things they type, they'd get a swift punch in the jaw and learn their lesson.
I missed the team 1 over 2 thing...I'll make up for it here
ACC: FSU over VT (double dagnabbit!)
SEC: Bama does it over SC
PAC 12: Oregon blinds USC (twice)
B1G: Wisc gets Mich
Yup I had to go back to double check if I miss read something.
You bring up a point I think is critical - meant to mention it up top.
We need sustained drives. 3-and-outs will destroy this team, and we can't get into a home run derby with them, either.
Establish the run, use the middle of the field, get first downs.
Most Surprising Team: Oregon State
Most Disappointing Team: Auburn
Conference Champions (for everyone but Big East and Big 12, Team 1 over Team 2)
ACC: FSU over VT
SEC: Bama over USCe
PAC 12: USCw over Oregon
Big 12: West Virginie
B1G: Nebraska over Wisconsin
Big lEast: Rutgers
1. Geno
2. Klein
3. De'Anthony
Great point. Clemson's recruiting classes have been top notch in recent years. We can't continue to lose, and expect some of our VA talent to not look elsewhere...
Honestly, my biggest concern is resting the DL. If our offense continues these short drives, and leaves the ball in the hands of Clemson's offense, we're beyond screwed. I'd love to see more gaget plays from the offense, RB screens on Logan roll-outs, and straight up runs from Logan of tackle with 2 lead blockers.
Keep it easy for Logan. Posses the ball on offense. Great turnovers on D/ST... Isn't there a name for that? #BeamerBall
The comments about the Clemson defense could practically be cut and pasted to the VT defense so far this year. We really need them to step up again this week... hopefully the outing against Duke will energize them to come out strong this Saturday.
I only had the chance to watch the second half of the game, but the entire team played with a passion and effort that had seemingly been missing all season. That is the kind of football I like to see and it's going to be necessary coming out of the gate against Clemson. A slow start in this game could be a death blow, especially on the road. I'm hopeful for the rest of the season, but still cautiously optimistic. While Duke is an improved team from years past, there is still a talent gap between them and the top-tier teams in the ACC, so we really have to play disciplined football from here on out. Clemson will be a tough test and a better measuring stick of how good the Hokies will be this year, in my opinion.
Warning: I'm probably going to sound like Negative Nancy right now, but let's be realistic here: to win this game, a lot has to be different, and more importantly, better. Much better.
I've seen this program do some amazing things, and beating Clemson on the road Saturday would be quite the turnaround for this group.
Defense:
The front four looked outstanding in the second half last week against a shell-shocked Duke team that was missing a critical part of their offense after Connette went out.
I'm not saying they're incapable of playing at that level against Clemson, but to mark that down as a given would be foolish.
If they don't bring the necessary level of pressure and we leave it to Exum (on Sammy Watkins) and Fuller (on Nuk Hopkins), with Michael Cole wandering around the secondary, we're going to get smoked.
Think about Pitt, Cincy, UNC and even Duke. How many almost-touchdowns were there, missed on a slight overthrow? Several.
If Clemson's offense is Clemson's offense they're not missing those throws.
Offense:
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact I'm more comfortable about this side of the ball.
The offense has shown flashes of what it could be, including a big flash last week. I hope they come out physical. Let Logan punish defenders like he did last week in short yardage situations.
In order for this offense to do what is required Saturday, there are quite a few things we're banking on:
- JC Coleman. I saw a lot of "Coming out party" statements after the Duke game. This has to carry over.
- Marcus Davis. I hope he's annoyed with how much attention Sammy and Nuk get. He can be that good. Let's get him the ball and put that ability to work.
- Offensive line. Losing Miller is a tough blow, but a week of preparation is the best we can ask for at this point. The coaches have played offensive line units without Miller, so it's been done before. Tech cannot afford another injury here, which is frightening.
That's all I have to say about that.
Go Hokies.
It makes me happy
But don't get me wrong. I think there is a noticeable dropoff this season, but I think it can largely be attributed to the disappointing season. LANE will be LANE once again in the near future and the Hokies will be the Hokes once again.
Also, everybody on this site, whether you comment regularly or just read, are die-hard Hokies fans that don't leave early and yell their hearts out every game, so all of these LANE bashing comments are kind of like preaching to the choir.
It's possible that we resemble ole miss in his opinion because he's used to sec stadiums that fit 80k+ (tenn 102k, bama 101k, lsu & georgia 92k, florida 88k, auburn 87k, so carolina 80k) whereas ole miss (and LANE) are in the 60k's. I've watched ole miss games and I know we're louder than them. And what game was it? Even lsu and bama fans aren't as crazy when they're playing lesser competition.
Also, there's a direct correlation between offensive scores and stadium noise during defense. Offensive scores, mainly touchdowns, tend to make fans more pumped when their defense gets on the field. This year there hasn't been much scoring. The georgia tech game for example: We were crazy loud in the first quarter and it started to drift off in the second because the offense didn't motivate the crowd. Then 4th qtr and overtime we were crazy loud again and I'm sure those late scores (and the intensity of the situation) helped with crowd noise. I was yelling the whole game regardless and I always do so I'm not making excuses for people because we should be loud regardless, but there's a lot of factors that go into it.
I bet we're pumped and crazy loud for the fsu game, and I'm willing to bet money that if the offense sustains drives and gets points, LANE will be rocking for most of the game but if the offense constantly goes 3 and out, then LANE will be comparable to ole miss.
Sad thing is, that interception prob shouldn't have happened, but hey we'll take anything we can get at this point.
I remember watching the replay and thinking, "Look at Exum, he can't even stay on his feet long enough to help Bonner out." Probably not fair to him, at least he tried to make the block, but that's how his play so far has made me feel. I will say this though, there was a 3rd down play that Exum made the tackle and it showed that he's more natural at safety. His man caught it but instead of having to be the first line of defense, he peeled behind some of the linebackers, let the receiver clear them then he pounced on the receiver short of the sticks, as a safety would do.
Terminology that struck fear into me during college....not so much now.
Most surprising in a positive role: Oregon State (who knew??)
Most surprising in a disappointing role: It's a tie! Arkansas and GA Tech
And in the Conference Champions;
ACC: FSU (dagnabbit!)
SEC: Bama over anybody and everybody else
PAC 12: Oregon, but that's because the shiny helmets reflect the sun and blind opposing players.
Big 12: I think K-State, but that's an I-have-no-idea-pick of the post
B1G: Ohioooo...no wait....Penn Sta...no, can't do that either...even though my wife's beloved Hawkeyes are on the top of their side of the conference at the moment, I can't pick them in good conscience (they lost to Central Michigan???)....Michigan State was my earlier pick but they can't seem to figure out that you have to have an offense to play and win a college football game (but on a positive note, the Hawkeyes beat them!!)...I guess I have to go with Wisconsin by default (sorta, kinda)
Big East: Really? Someone actually cares? We're not picking a Conference USA champ? ok, I guess I'll pick Rutgers.
Heisman winner: At this point I'm guessing De'Anthony Thomas (Oregon), but it's not won until the last weekend, so it's a crap shoot.....which is a phrase that means something totally different in West Virginia....believe me you don't want to know.
i was camping and forgot to make picks. damnit
i can't believe i forgot to make picks.. first time in 3 years. cripes
"Yeah, we really need to get rid of Stinespring.”
"Since then his lines have ranked 115th, 111th, 87th, 86th and 23rd out of 120 teams in the country in sacks allowed per game."
As French says a lot, any system will work with a couple things but one of them being "full buy in from the players." This is first hand knowledge that the players don't buy in. Not saying all of them don't but if one feels this way, I'm sure there are more that feel similar. Changes need to be made.
Great write up btw.
Most Surprising Team: Notre Dame
Most Disappointing Team: Arkansas (runner up goes to Michigan State in my book)
Conference Champions (for everyone but Big East and Big 12, Team 1 over Team 2)
ACC: FSU over VT
SEC: Alabama over Ball Coach
PAC 12: USC over Oregon
Big 12: KState
B1G: Michigan over Ohio State (that'd be an interesting game)
Big East: Louisville (for kicks)
Heisman (winner and two finalists): Collin Klein over Geno Smith and Kenjon Barner
Yes, I have some ties to some boosters and they echoed the same thing: "Nobody's job is safe."
Thanks for this and for your service. Never good when football trash talk turns to personal trash talk. Why even trash talk somebody that has no impact on the game. Let's reserve our trash talk for the likes of Boyd, Watkins, Ellington, and Hopkins.
Yeah, Beano Cook famously predicted the Powlus would win the Heisman Trophy twice while at Notre Dame...before he had even played his first game for the Irish. Needless to say, he was wrong. RIP Beano
...at Kansas.
LETS GOOO.....
HOOOOKIESSS!!