How Virginia Tech Fans are Reacting to Week One Loss

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Virginia Tech came in to 2009 season with high expectations, and many fans felt, and still feel, that the Hokies have a shot at the national title.

Saturday night, the first game of the 2009 season, had Hokie fans saying, "If we only had an offense."

In a battle of two top 10 teams, Virginia Tech and Alabama seemed to be mirror images of each other on special teams and defense.  Alabama had a slight edge on defense, and the Hokies a slight edge on special teams.

However, the biggest difference between the two teams was offense.  Alabama doesn't have a great offense, but they have an offense that's capable of making adjustments throughout the game.

Virginia Tech obviously is not to that point.  Bryan Stinespring, the much maligned Virginia Tech offensive coordinator, called a very conservative game on offense.  Yes, the Hokies were going against a top 10 defense, but so was Alabama.

It surprised me when Alabama lined up in the wildcat for their first offensive play, but they didn't have much success from the formation.  They were, however, willing to take a risk.

After talking with a few Virginia Tech fans in Atlanta this weekend there were three things that really seemed to bother them:

1. Virginia Tech didn't take the game seriously enough

By this, fans were upset throughout the week with quotes by Beamer about how this game isn't do-or-die, and it won't hurt our season if we don't win it.

My guess is Nick Saban and Co. approached the game a little bit different, and it showed offensively.

The problem with the Hokies in the past is their coaching staff hasn't been aggressive enough the first time round. Here's an example. 

In the 2008 Orange Bowl against Kansas, Frank Beamer told the media that he told his team that reaching the Orange Bowl was quote, "a reward" for their hard work that season.

In that game the Hokies were outplayed and lost by three to an inferior opponent.  Beamer addressed the situation after the game, and said that he would take a different approach next time.  That "different approach" resulted in tougher practices for the 2009 Orange Bowl where the Hokies beat Cincinnati by 13.

The fact of the matter is, Beamer needs to start being more aggressive the first time round when it comes to big games.  If you lose, well, that's fine.  But you can't tell me and other Hokie fans that the coaching staff and the offense threw everything they had at Alabama.

2. Tyrod seemed hesitant to run

There were multiple times throughout the game where Tyrod Taylor had no receivers open, but then he would take a shot down field.  Yes, Taylor needs to become a more productive passer but he can't be outside of his comfort zone.

There were times when Taylor had open running lanes and he refused to take them.  I don't know if the coaching staff was telling him to stay put or what, but most of his rushes came while he was blitzed by a linebacker.

Taylor's greatest asset to the offense, right now, is his legs.  He needs to run the ball more, which will open up the pass. 

3. The Hokies are settling for Conference Titles

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