Bleacher Report - Articles by Gobbler Country

How I'd Like Virginia Tech's 2009 Football Schedule to Look

Gobbler Country — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:00:00 -0500

Those of us who make our travel plans for football season as far in advance as possible are eagerly awaiting the ACC's release of its 2009 football schedule. We know who the Hokies will be playing the first four weeks of the season, and we know the UVa game will likely be the weekend after Thanksgiving.

The rest of the schedule, including which games will be on Thursday, is a complete mystery.

However, I know how I'd like the schedule to look.

What We (Sort of) Know

Schedule

Sept. 5: Alabama (Atlanta)
Sept. 12: Marshall
Sept. 19: Nebraska
Sept. 26: at East Carolina
Nov. 28: at Virginia

2009 ACC Home Games: Boston College, Miami, North Carolina, NC State

2009 ACC Road Games: Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Virginia

Teams I'd Rather Catch Early

Boston College

The Eagles will likely have Dominique Davis under center in 2009. He didn't play very well in the games he started last season, and I'd rather face him before he gets seasoned. Also, the Eagles will be replacing key cogs on defense.

Maryland

The Terps have a great running back returning in Da'Rel Scott. But they have three offensive linemen to replace.

Teams I'd Rather Catch Late

NC State

The Pack were the most improved team in the ACC from the first half of the season to the second. This year, they're a known commodity and could contend for the Atlantic. Catching them late means we'd have a full season's worth of film on Russell Wilson to prepare with.

Duke

Last year's ACC race was a complete fustercluck at the end of the season. Having Duke as our second-to-last conference game helped in 2008 because it gave the Hokies a near automatic W while chaos ensued around the conference.

How I Hope the Schedule Looks

Sept. 5: Alabama (Atlanta)
Sept. 12: Marshall
Sept. 19: Nebraska
Sept. 26: at East Carolina
Oct. 3: at Maryland
Oct. 10: Boston College
Oct. 17: BYE WEEK
Oct. 24: North Carolina
Oct. 31: at Georgia Tech (Thursday?)
Nov. 7: Miami (Thursday?)
Nov. 14: NC State
Nov. 21: at Duke
Nov. 28: at Virginia

What do you guys think? The Hokies would close the season with two road games, but other than that, I think something that looked like this would be beneficial to Tech.

What do you want the schedule to look like? When would you like the bye week? Who do you want to play on a Thursday (one road, one home)?

Mandel: Hokies Could Have Been a Buzzsaw

Gobbler Country — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:00:00 -0500

SI's Stewart Mandel has a story today comparing the Hokies to The Buzzsaw That Is The Arizona Cardinals. He gives the positives and negatives of the current BCS system and how a playoff could hurt college football rather than help it.

One idea he throws out is the 9-4 Hokies getting hot at the right time, just like The Buzzsaw, and cheapening college football's regular season.

The Virginia Tech Hokies are a more appropriate college parallel to the Cardinals. The Hokies won the ACC last season with a 9-4 record. They were ranked 19th in the final BCS standings and hadn't entered the national-title discussion since the preseason.

However, in a playoff, Virginia Tech would have been guaranteed a berth. (Every other major sport, college and professional, gives first dibs to conference/division champions. College football wouldn't be any different.) Who's to say the Hokies couldn't have gotten hot, pulled off a couple of upsets and won the whole thing?

A national champion with four losses. There goes your "meaningful" regular season.

Just more fuel for the Playoff vs. BCS debate.

2009 Offseason Checklist: Offense

Gobbler Country — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0500

Quick list of things that need to be addressed during spring and summer practices:

1. Improved passing from Tyrod Taylor

The infamous "hitch" in Tyrod's delivery was never more visible than when I re-watched the Orange Bowl. His throwing motion just looks unnatural. If that's why he's having issues with his accuracy, especially on deep balls, it needs to be fixed. Also, Tyrod's trust in his receivers improved greatly throughout the year and should carry over into next season.

2. A center

With Jaymes Brooks' performance in the Orange Bowl, the Hokies appear to be set at four of the five positions on the line. However, they will have to replace center Ryan Shuman, who in my mind was the most consistent offensive lineman we had last year. Beau Warren played 44 snaps last season, including 34 against Duke. How effective he is and how well he is able to gel with the rest of the line will be important to the running game in 2009.

3. Unleash Ryan Williams

Williams was redshirted last year, partly because he needed to improve his pass blocking. He was apparently a beast on the scout team last season and should be ready to contribute next season. If he has the hands, why not use him on some Percy-Harvin-type plays while lined up in the slot? Everyone is excited to see if Williams can live up to his hype, so let's get him the ball as many ways as we can.

Hokies Upset Unbeaten Deacs: Virginia Tech/Wake Forest Analysis

Gobbler Country — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:15:00 -0500

Virginia Tech held on to beat No. 1 Wake Forest, 78-71, Wednesday at Joel Coliseum. It was the Hokies' second win over a No. 1 team in the last three years. Tech beat then-No. 1 North Carolina on Jan. 13, 2007, in Blacksburg. Tonight's win was obviously a huge one for the Hokies, who get their first NCAA resume-padding win of the season. Tech's win also means there are no more unbeaten teams in D1 hoops.

Why this win was more impressive than the one over UNC:

- It was on the road. The Hokies went into a hostile environment to knock off the top team this time around. While I thought the Hokies lost their composure at times in the second half, they played solid defense at the end and weathered the storm.

- This Hokie team isn't that good. The 2007 team was experienced and deep. This team is young and finally learned how to win a big game. After so many close calls the final two seasons, it was a relief to finally win one of those.

Why this win was less impressive than the one over UNC:

- The Hokies didn't play well. Tech missed several free throws while trying to ice the game and seemed like they were trying to give this one away. Each Hokie took turns making a dumb decision on the offensive end in the second half that gave away points and gave momentum to the Deacs.

- Wake didn't play well either. The Deacs were out of their element in the first half as the Hokies made the game ugly (just the way we like it). Wake needed an amazing hot streak in the second half to wind up shooting just over 43 percent. Wake also committed twice as many turnovers (16) as it had assists (8).

A season-changing win?

The win tonight makes me feel this team has finally learned how to win. The Hokies have given away so many big games the last two seasons I almost forgot what it was like to get a big win in basketball.

Had the Hokies come from ahead to lose tonight, I would have considered this a lost season. We would have had to forget the NCAA and hope for the NIT. However, with a quality win like the one tonight and the quality of play in the ACC this year, the Hokies will have a strong NCAA resume if they can get to nine conference wins like they did last year.

Tonight's win not only feels good, but makes me feel good about the rest of the season.

2009 Virginia Tech, ACC Football Schedules Due in "Early February"

Gobbler Country — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:15:00 -0500

The ACC's Beyond the ACCtion blog has an inside look into how the conference's football schedule is made. According to the blog, the 2009 ACC football schedule will be released sometime in early February.

Some conferences, including the Big 12 and SEC, already have their conference games scheduled. However, because the ACC gives the television networks so much input into the schedule, we won't get ours for another two to three weeks.

Also, the Hokies will only have one bye week next year, as conferences with title games have to play 12 games in 13 weeks in 2009. Personally, I'd like Tech's bye week to be Oct. 17 (OU/Texas Weekend), but it would probably be most beneficial to the Hokies to have a bye week between its non-conference and ACC slates on Oct. 3.

Virginia Tech Hokie Hoops at No. 1 Wake Forest

Gobbler Country — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech Hokies (12-5, 2-1) at
No. 1 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-0, 3-0)

Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009
Place: Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV: ESPN2

Last Meeting: Tech beat Wake, 80-58, on Senior Night for Deron Washington...Washington led the team in scoring and rebounding, with 22 and 10...the Hokies held the Deacs to 34 percent from the field and out-rebounded them 30-20.

Trends: The Hokies have won four of their last five against Wake...the Hokies have won three consecutive games and seven of their last eight...Wake is the last remaining undefeated team in Division I basketball.

What to Expect: The Hokies will try to make this game ugly, while the Deacs will try to push the pace. As guard Jeff Teague goes, so go the Deacs. The sophomore from Indy leads the team in points (21.4) and assists (4.1) per game. He's best in transition, either driving to the rim or finding the open man down low.

The Hokies will miss the graduated Deron Washington in this game. He would have been perfect to guard Teague. Unfortunately, I don't think the Hokies have anyone on their roster capable of shutting him down.

The best way to slow the Deacs is to make shots and limit turnovers. That's the only way to keep Wake from making a mockery of the Hokies' transition defense. We'll know early on if the Hokies have a chance to hang with the Deacons.

My guess is they will. While Virginia Tech is incapable of blowing anyone out, the Hokies typically are able to keep games close until the late minutes (Duke game excluded).

Wake is a tough defensive team, especially on the perimeter. Quality shots will be at a premium for the Hokies. Tech also has a size disadvantage underneath against Wake's big men. While I think Jeff Allen, A.D. Vassallo, J.T. Thompson, and Victor Davila are better offensive players than Wake's bigs are on defense, the height and size advantage Wake has more than evens it out.

Wake isn't a perfect team. In fact, they're far from it. But they play solid defense and have guys who can fill the net. Someone will beat them, it just won't be the Hokies.

Hokies win if: They're patient for quality shots on offense, particularly on penetration by Malcolm Delaney, and limit turnovers.

Deacs win if: They're able to get out in transition against the Hokies and dominate the glass.

Score: Wake Forest 70, Virginia Tech 65

What to Watch in the ACC Championship Game

Gobbler Country — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0500

Most stats are from cfbstats.com.

Atmosphere

Attendance appears to by abysmal. Even worse than last year in Jacksonville. Brian from BC Interruption had a good idea. Why not give free tickets to local high school teams? That would at least get asses in seats so it doesn't look like a Marlins game in August out there.

Let's just hope there are no blimp shots for this game.

Offense

- Ugh. Just thinking about this makes my head hurt.

- The good news is our passing game is light years ahead of what it was the last time we faced BC. The bad news is it's still pretty terrible. Last week, the Hokies threw for an awe-inspiring 176 yards against the Wahoos. The really sad part is that was our season-high.

- In just about every other game we play, we have to establish the run to set up the pass. Well, that just isn't going to happen Saturday against BC. They are too good up front. No, we have to follow the offensive philosophy of the great Don Coryell, who said you have to establish the pass to set up the run.

Unless we can show BC that our passing game is a threat, we are not going to be able to run the ball and in turn, have no chance of winning this game.

- Jarrett Boykin is thiiiiiis close to breaking out as a great receiver. He's show he has the ability and occasionally he's shown he can get open with regularity. He is a guy that if he has a big game, I think we win.

Tyrod needs a downfield option when throwing the ball, and Boykin might be ready to provide it. Before, the options for Tyrod were the tight end over the middle, a short route to Danny Coale or tucking and running. I think Tyrod is starting to trust his receivers more.

- Unless we can get BC to respect our passing game and spread their defense, there will not be any running room for Darren Evans. We don't have a shifty running back who can get to the outside, so our running game is going to have to be North-South against the team that is the best at stopping North-South running that I've seen all season.

- If we don't have a passing game, it will again be up to Tyrod to move the ball on the ground. He responded well in Chestnut Hill, running for 110 yards on 15 carries. But, as we learned in October, we can't rely solely on Tyrod. We lost in October in large part because we could not convert short-yardage situations on the ground. If that doesn't change this time around, the result will be the same.

- However, even though we know all of this, I still expect the Hokies to try and pound the ball early and often. I hope they don't. Against most teams we have been able to run at them, run at them and run at them to wear them down and then dominate on the ground with Evans in the fourth quarter.

That didn't happen in October and it sure as hell won't happen Saturday. The Eagle defense will not wear down like some of the other teams we've faced.

- Instead, we need to attack them. Throw Stinespring Screens at them, throw deep, roll the pocket for Tyrod and find ways to get the ball downfield early so they can't keep crowding the box to stop Evans.

- I think we can throw on these guys. Our receivers and Tyrod's trust in them has improved since October. And the Eagles were No. 9 in the ACC in pass defense in conference play, giving up 196.1 YPG (6.2 YPA). We know we can't beat them on the ground, so why not at least try to beat them through the air?

Defense

- The Hokies will face a different quarterback than the one they saw in October, which is a good and bad thing. Yes, Crane made plays to beat the Hokies, but he also threw three picks, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

Now, we face Dominique Davis, who is as mobile as Crane, but not quite a run-first quarterback like Tyrod tends to be. However, he is a threat outside the pocket.

- Throwing the ball, Davis appears to be in the Tyrod mold. He doesn't appear to be incredibly accurate throwing deep, but he hasn't had enough pass attempts to get a good read on him. Before Crane broke his clavicle, Davis had 12 passing attempts. Since, he's connected on 25-of-47 attempts (53.2 percent) and is averaging a little over five yards per attempt.

- The Eagles will probably also be a run-first team on Saturday. The Eagles were in the middle of the pack in the ACC in both rush and pass offense, but without Crane will need production from their running backs.

In the last two games, the Eagles are averaging 3.2 YPC (272 YDS/85 ATT). However, they ran for 175 yards on 41 attempts against Maryland, their second-highest rushing output against an ACC opponent.

- I think the Hokies will be able to stop the Eagles on the ground again, like they did in Chestnut Hill. That night, they held BC to 82 yards on 37 carries.

However, the run defense has been on a slow decline since Maryland had negative-12 yards against them. They've given up over 100 yards rushing each of the last three games after doing so once in the previous five.

- If BC has success on the ground, it will come from Davis. Mobile QBs and spread-type offenses have hurt the Hokies this year. Vic Hall ran for 109 yards through a spread-attack last week and Zack Asack scrambled his way to 87 the week before.

Traditional running games have struggled against the Hokies this year, so if they can contain Davis and keep him from beating them with his feet, the Eagles will go nowhere on offense.

Outcome

- This game will be quick. Both teams will try to establish the run first and keep it that way. The clock will be running most of the day, unlike when you watch a team like Texas Tech.

- This game will be close. Just about every Virginia Tech game has been this year. I'm glad Dustin Keys is on our sideline.

- This game will be clean. These two teams are the least-penalized teams by yards in the ACC this season.

- This game will be boring. Both teams have stout defenses and offenses that have been sputtering at times. However, I could be wrong on this point. Both defenses like to score points. And that could be the only way we'll see a touchdown on Saturday.

Watch the Box Score For:

1. Turnovers.
2. D. Davis Rushing Yards.
3. VT Passing Yards.
4. VT 3rd Down Percentage.

VT Players to Watch:

81 - Jarrett Boykin, Fr., WR
32 - Darren Evans, Fr., RB
1 - Macho Harris, Sr., CB
26 - Cody Grimm, Jr., LB

BC Players to Watch:

15 - Dominique Davis, Fr., QB
41 - Montel Harris, Fr., RB
94 - Mark Herzlich, Jr., LB
60 - Ron Brace, Sr., DT

Final Score: Virginia Tech 6, Boston College 3

3,000 Tickets Sold for the ACCCG

Gobbler Country — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:45:00 -0500

It's already been discussed by Dr. Saturday, but Hokie fans aren't exactly living up to their end of the bargain in buying tickets for Saturday's ACCCG. According to the Roanoke Times, Hokie fans have only gobbled up 30 percent of their allotment.

Tech was obligated to pay the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for 10,000 tickets to the game but has only sold about 3,000 of them.

Virginia Tech assistant athletic director Sandy Smith said Tuesday that ticket sales have been slower than last year, when the game was held in Jacksonville, Fla.

Sales "are not as good as we would like," Smith said. "All the ticket people throughout the conference looked at it -- even the ones [at schools] in Florida -- as being, because of the economy, a tough sell."

Many Tech fans interviewed at last weekend's win over Virginia said they would not be attending the title game in Tampa and would instead save their money for the upcoming bowl game.

"The economy's too bad," Bob Rue of Richmond said. "Bowl games are more fun -- a lot more stuff to do."

Tech will likely take an even bigger financial bath on ticket sales to the game than it did last year. Tech sold most of its allotment of 10,000 tickets last year but still finished $203,000 in the red, according to school officials.

No, this isn't a "shame on you" post like the one Eagle in Atlanta wrote for BC fans last night. As someone who also can't afford to be in Tampa this weekend, it would be hypocritical of me to complain about Hokie fans not making the trip to the game and implore them to do what they can to support the team this weekend.

But the idea of there being more BC fans than VT fans in Raymond James Stadium Saturday makes me cringe. We are a fan base that is proud of its willingness to travel. Hell, I've made four trips of over 2,000 miles round trip to see the Hokies play this year.

I think the blaming the economy is a cop out, though. It's the trendy thing to do these days, like blaming El Nino. The collapsing economy hasn't hurt me too bad, but then again I'm single and pay $300 a month in rent. No, I think you can blame this on a few other reasons:

1. We aren't that good.
2. It's friggin' BC. Again.
3. This offense is painful to watch.
4. OK, the economy a little bit.

This team is 8-4. It isn't 10-2 like it was last year with two losses to teams that at the time were ranked No. 2. We aren't playing Florida State like we were in 2005 and we aren't looking for revenge like we were last year. Yes, we lost to BC in the regular season, but it wasn't a last-second, soul-crushing defeat.

And we all know it isn't going to be exciting football. The over-under on this game should be in the 20's. The two teams are going to grind on each other until one of them breaks in the fourth quarter. It won't be a sexy game. It will be like watching two guys fish.

And on top of that is the economic scapegoat.

The fact is, I can't afford this trip on short notice and neither can a lot of fans. I'm one of many Hokie fans that is saving their money for a bowl trip to either Nashville (fairly cheap) or Miami (fairly expensive). I really hope more Hokies decide to make the trip to Tampa this weekend. But I can't blame you if you don't. I despise hypocrisy.

Boston College-Virginia Tech Football: ACC Championship Game Guide

Gobbler Country — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech vs. Boston College

Time: 1 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008
Place: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV: ABC

Last Meeting

The Eagles beat the Hokies, 28-23 on Oct. 18 in Chestnut Hill...the Hokies did not score an offensive touchdown, but had two interception returns for touchdowns...the Hokies were held to 240 total yards, including 110 yards rushing by quarterback Tyrod Taylor...this was the game that turned me against offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring and was the inspiration for the "VT Offensive Word of the Day" which ran earlier this season on this very blog.

Trends

The Hokies have won their last two games...the Eagles have won four consecutive games...Boston College has won three of its last four meetings with the Hokies...the one VT win came in last year's ACC title game in Jacksonville.

What to Expect

There won't be a lot of offense, obviously. Both teams are good field, no hit.

What offense either team does have will come on the ground. The Hokies will try to establish the run between the tackles with Darren Evans, but we all saw how well that worked back in October. Again, the rushing yards will have to come from Tyrod Taylor, who looked good against the Wahoos and ran for over 100 yards running from his life the last time we played BC.

The Eagles are without Chris Crane, which is a blessing and a curse. Crane had a tendency to cost the Eagles games, but could also lead them to wins with his arm. He did both against the Hokies earlier in the year when he threw three picks, two of which went for touchdowns, but made enough key throws to win.

The Hokies are much better on kick and punt coverage than they were the last time these two teams played. That could come into play.

The Hokies Win If...

They don't turn the ball over and don't give up big plays on defense.

The Eagles Win If...

They establish the run with Montel Harris and force Tyrod Taylor to make mistakes.

Dot-dot-dots...

The Hokies have held their last five opponents under 250 total yards...the Hokies have not allowed a punt return of more than 12 yards since Rich Gunnell's 65-yard TD return Oct. 18...the Hokies had a season-high 176 passing yards in last week's game against UVa...after seven consecutive games with at least two field goals, Dustin Keys has made one in his last three games.

The Bo Ryan Story

Gobbler Country — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:00:00 -0500

No matter the result of tonight's game, I'll be happy.

I'm a big fan of Bo Ryan, and thus I root for Wisconsin whenever they aren't playing Virginia Tech.

In 2002, I was at the Final Four in Atlanta. I watched Ryan do an interview on Radio Row at the Fan Fest.

While the interview was going on, an elderly gentleman next to me asked who that was doing an interview on the radio.

I then went on and on about Ryan's career and where he had started and how he had risen through the coaching ranks to Wisconsin. I talked about how much I respected him and basically gave Bo Ryan a verbal blow job.

After Ryan finished the interview, he walked right up to the old man and gave him a big hug. It was his dad.

Dad introduced me to son and since then I've been an even bigger fan of Ryan and Wisconsin basketball.

So, while I'll be rooting for the Hokies tonight, in no way will I be rooting against the Badgers.

Week 14 ACC Power Poll

Gobbler Country — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:16:00 -0500

That's right. The best team in the league isn't going to Tampa.

Week 14 Rankings

1. Georgia Tech
2. Boston College
3. NC State
4. Virginia Tech
5. North Carolina
6. Florida State
7. Miami
8. Maryland
9. Clemson
10. Wake Forest
11. Virginia
12. Duke

Notes

- Georgia Tech scores the biggest win of the year for the ACC by winning in Athens.

- After all the chaos, we end up with the same two teams from last year's title game. Man, the rest of the ACC must really hate the Hokies and Eagles right now.

- NC State is hotter than almost any team in the country right now. I hope the Pack gets to go bowling.

- Was that Tyrod's coming out party? Hopefully.

- That beeping sound you hear is Virginia Tech backing into Tampa.

- Slow and steady wins the Atlantic.

Week 15 Schedule

Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game
Tampa, Fla.
Dec. 6
Boston College vs. Virginia Tech, 1 p.m. on ABC

Happy Thanksgiving from furrer4heisman: Special Power Poll

Gobbler Country — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy the holiday and the rest of Hate Week. Unfortunately, I'm on the road and without much Internet access the rest of the week, which means no Best of the Blogs (I know, I'm lazy.). A gameday thread will get posted Saturday morning, and I'll be back Monday—hopefully to preview the ACCCG.

Have fun and Go Hokies. Beat UVa.

Special Thanksgiving Power Poll

1. Candied Yams
2. Pe-can Pie
3. Turkey
4. Stuffing
5. Cranberry Sauce
6. Pumpkin Pie
7. Corn Pudding
8. Gravy
9. Broccoli Casserole
10. Mashed Potatoes
11. Ham
12. Deviled Eggs

Notes

- Candied yams or sweet potatoes with little marshmallows are the best. If you think otherwise, you are wrong.

- Pe-can pie is at No. 2 assuming it is served with ice cream.

- I wasn't a fan of cranberry sauce until I got older. Now I love the stuff.

- If you haven't had corn pudding, you have no idea what you're missing.

- Gravy is its own food group in the South, BC guys.

- Ham is for Christmas, turkey is for Thanksgiving. I will not compromise on this.

- Seriously, screw deviled eggs. Disgusting.

Virginia Tech-Virginia: What to Watch

Gobbler Country — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0500

Most stats are from cfbstats.com.

Noon Game

I hate Noon games, and I'm sure the team does, too. As bad as we've played at times this year, we've been ever worse at Noon. Typically, it's the same for most teams. By the time kickoff comes around, neither the fans nor the teams are completely awake. Expect our effort and the atmosphere to be a lot less than what it is at 3:30 or later.

Offense

- No matter how you slice it, no matter what words you use to describe it, our offense is bad. Whether Tyrod Taylor or Sean Glennon is taking snaps, we have had a difficult time moving the ball. The running game has been average and good at times, but we have nothing resembling a passing game.

- Unfortunately for the Hokies, UVa has been pretty good at stopping the run this year. In their last eight games, the Wahoos have held their opponent under four yards per carry. Their last two games have been especially dominant against the run. They held Wake Forest to 2.9 YPC and Clemson to 1.44 YPC.

- Since UConn hung an astonishing five rushing touchdowns against the Wahoos, only one team, Georgia Tech, has had more than one in a game (two). The reason for Virginia's recent losing streak can't be contributed to its defense. Instead, it has been the offense that has failed it.

- The Wahoos run a 3-4 defense, which on the surface would appear to be disadvantageous to stopping a run-first team like the Hokies. However, the 'Hoos have a strong group of linebackers, led by senior Clint Sintim.

Hokie fans know Sintim as the guy who took a cheap shot on Glennon when he was taking a knee last year. Watch for Sintim to be involved in just about every tackle for the 'Hoos, and for his name to be booed vigorously every time it's said over the PA.

- Virginia's secondary mirrors Virginia Tech's. The 'Hoos have two solid cornerbacks in Vic Hall and Ras-I Dowling, but they have not gotten solid play from their safeties this year. Look for the Hokie tight ends to have a good day as there should be room in the middle of the field for them to make catches against the Wahoo safeties and linebackers.

- However, this game will as always, come down to Virginia Tech's rushing production against Al Groh's 3-4 defense. The 'Hoos have done well recently against the run, but the Hokies have been producing on the ground of late. The battle between the Hokie offensive line and the Wahoo front seven will decide this game.

- Who will quarterback the Hokies on Saturday is not nearly as important as how they quarterback. I don't care if it's Tyrod or Glennon out there as long as they keep from turning the ball over and wasting good field position and good drives.

Defense

- Marc Verica reminds me a little bit of Sean Glennon. Very rarely will he do anything to cost you the game, but you can't expect to put the game on his shoulders. He does a very good job of managing the offense for the Wahoos. However, their offense begins and ends with running back Cedric Peerman.

- Peerman was carrying the team during its four-game win streak, but he has been shut down during the three-game losing streak. He went over 100 yards in three of the four wins. But in his last three games he has 166 yards on 46 carries (3.61 YPC) and no touchdowns. He had six rushing touchdowns during the winning streak.

- The Hokie defense has been strong against the run all year and is allowing an ACC-low 3.03 YPC in conference games. Should the Hokies shut down Peerman, they will shut down the UVa offense.

- In their five wins, the Wahoos average over 135 yards per game on the ground. That number dips all the way to 51.5 yards per game in their six losses, lowest in the ACC.

- When the Wahoos do throw the ball, they have two solid options in wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and under-utilized tight end John Phillips. Phillips is the latest in a long line of good Wahoo tight ends, but probably doesn't get the ball enough. Ogletree is a reliable, consistent receiver who is one year removed from injury.

- As with all drop-back quarterbacks, the key to stopping Verica is to pressure him and force him into bad decisions. However, Virginia has allowed the fewest sacks in the league this year with 13, nine in conference play. It will be tough for the Hokies to apply pressure to Verica, particularly from his left side, which is protected by tackle Eugene Monroe.

- In their five wins, the Wahoos have allowed only four sacks. They have allowed nine sacks in their six losses.

Outcome

- As a Hokie fan, I can't pick UVa to win this game. But as I said earlier in the week, I'm worried—not because I think UVa is a good team, but because Georgia Tech is the team that deserves to represent the Coastal in the ACCCG, and I don't think the college football gods will allow Bryan Stinespring and his offense to win the division. It's a Karma thing.

I'm sure I could devote an entire post to Bryan Stinespring as an ethos instead of as an offensive coordinator, but I'd rather enjoy my Thanksgiving instead of spending too much time thinking about what we call an offense.

Watch the Box Score for...

1. VT rushing yards
2. UVa rushing yards
3. Field Position
4. Turnovers

VT Players to Watch

32 - Darren Evans, So., RB
70 - Sergio Render, Jr., OG
95 - Taco Thompson, Jr., DT
33 - Brett Warren, Sr., LB

UVa Players to Watch

37 - Cedric Peerman, Sr., RB
6 - Marc Verica, So., QB
51 - Clint Sintim, Sr., LB
54 - Jon Copper, Sr., LB

Final Score

Virginia Tech 17, Virginia 13

Virginia Tech-Virginia: Q&A With From Old Virginia

Gobbler Country — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

After a week away, the Q&A is back. The Duke bloggers I tried to contact last week never responded. But Brendan of From Old Virginia was quick to get back to me for a Q&A this week leading up to the showdown with the 'Hoos.

Click here for my answers to his questions.

Q: Give us a quick assessment of Marc Verica. He seems like a decent manager of the game, but not a guy who will win games for you. What kind of quarterback is he?

When Verica's on, he's actually tremendously accurate. Like, Matt Schaub accurate. During our winning streak this season, he couldn't miss, and he's very composed in the pocket.

But, sophomore. He's prone to the throw that makes the fans wonder what the hell he was thinking. His interceptions come in bunches—ask Duke and Clemson about those.

This year he is indeed being asked to be a game manager and make sure Cedric Peerman gets the ball (or he would if Mike Groh were smart), but he's got the arm and the smarts to be a very, very good quarterback as soon as his decision-making improves.

Q: Your rush defense against conference opponents is actually better by rank this year compared to last. How can you explain this after all the talent you lost on defense last year?

Chris Long's and Jeffrey Fitzgerald's main talents were in the pass rush, particularly Fitzgerald—Long was a pretty good run stopper. But we have high hopes for Matt Conrath, who's stepped into Long's spot nicely.

The main thing, though, is having three senior linebackers—Copper, Appleby, and of course, Clint Sintim. They've got the scheme down cold. It doesn't take a lot of talent to be a run-stuffing lineman in the 3-4—just strength enough to occupy the offensive line while the linebackers make the plays.

Q: The 'Hoos run a 3-4, which on paper isn't conducive to stopping a run-first team like the Hokies. What players on defense need to have good games for you to continue to have success against the run?

A: To stop the run from the 3-4, the linemen occupy the linemen, hopefully drawing at least one double-team, and the linebackers make the plays. See above. The middle linebackers especially (Appleby and Copper) have to diagnose the play correctly and move up, shed whatever block, and make the tackle.

On runs to the outside, the focus shifts to the OLBs, one of whom is often in a three-point stance as another DE. Usually that's Sintim, in which case it's your blockers that need to be on their game. Otherwise Sintim (who consistently destroys single-teams) will shut that side down.

Q: Who's a worse offensive coordinator: Mike Groh or Bryan Stinespring?

A: Let's just say that something other than family connections keeps Stinespring in a job—maybe it's hidden competence. Mikey would have been fired already if he didn't share DNA with the head coach.

Q: What are the odds Al Groh is back as head coach next year for UVa?

A: Excellent. Littlepage has already given the vote of confidence, and I believe he means it, not least because Groh has a pretty sizable buyout.

Q: Do you consider the Hokies to be UVa's primary rival? Why or why not?

A: Absolutely. We play you at the end of the year. You're in-state. That's as big as it gets. The only other rivalries are UNC, which not all 'Hoos agree to hate and is a relatively gentlemanly sort of rivalry. See, it's like this:

UVA fan: Cheerio, old bean, and how is Chapel Hill in the summer?
UNC fan: Oh, splendid, and say, I do hope our boys beat you next fall.

There's also Maryland, who we do all agree to hate, but they're a more recent thing, and we have pretty specific reasons to hate them (fans, and their president's idiotic comments from a few years ago). This goes more like:

Md. fan: #$%(@!!!!!
UVA fan: Hey, I got my kids here, calm down.
Md. fan: &$@*%# you @*$($*@)!!!!
UVA fan: They're seven years old, give it a rest!
Md. fan: (throws beer, takes a swing)

So they started it. But we hate VPISU just because. I don't know what the gameday interaction between 'Hoos and Hokies is like, because we mainly just glared at each other with looks of infinite hatred and the Hokies were too busy jingling keys anyway.

Let's Do Some Lines: College Football Picks Week 14

Gobbler Country — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0500

Last regular season picks of the year. Lines are from Doc Sports. My picks are in bold.

Miami -1.5 at NC State

- Yeah, I'm on the bandwagon.

Georgia Tech +8 at Georgia

- Should be fun to watch.

Virginia +8 at Virginia Tech

- You didn't think I'd bet on the 'Hoos, did you?

South Carolina +1.5 at Clemson

- Dabo gets bowl eligible.

Maryland +7 at Boston College

- Good Chris Crane, Bad Chris Crane, and now No Chris Crane.

North Carolina -8.5 at Duke

- Won't be in the vicinity of close.

Vanderbilt +4 at Wake Forest

- Vandy continues to limp home.

Florida -16.5 at Florida State

- Bobby would rather beat Florida than win the ACC. He won't do either.

Other Teams I Like

Oklahoma State +7 vs. Oklahoma

- Always a barnburner in Stilly.

Auburn +14.5 at Alabama

- Always root for chaos.

Southern Miss -13.5 at SMU

- Eagles have been soaring.

Cincinnati -22 vs. Syracuse

- 'Cuse blew its load last week.

Ball State -11 vs. Western Michigan

- Fine, I'll bet on Ball State.

How I Did Last Week Against the Spread

ACC: 3-3

Correct: NCSU, Clemson, Duke
Wrong: Miami, Wake, FSU

Nation: 0-5 (Impressive.)

Correct: None
Wrong: Air Force, Houston, Washington, Texas Tech, UConn

Year to Date

ACC: 40-31-1
Nation: 33-30
Total: 73-61-1

Virginia Tech-Virginia Game Guide

Gobbler Country — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia

Time: Noon
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008
Place: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ESPN

Last Meeting

Virginia Tech beat Virginia for the fourth consecutive time and the eighth time in the last nine meetings to capture the Commonwealth Cup and the ACC Coastal title...Branden Ore ran for 147 yards and Tyrod Taylor had two rushing touchdowns to lead the Hokies to a 33-21 win...the Hokies outgained the Wahoos, 430-241.

Trends

The Hokies have won eight of their last nine meetings with the Wahoos, including the last four...Virginia Tech has won the last four meetings in Blacksburg, with its last home loss coming in 1998...Tech has won 15 of its last 16 home games...the Wahoos have lost three consecutive games.

What to Expect

Two anemic offenses. I don't think there will be a lot of points scored on Saturday. Expect a score similar to UVa's 13-3 loss to Clemson or Virginia Tech's 14-3 win over Duke.

Obviously, in tight ballgames, the kicking game and field position will be important. The Hokies have a solid kicker and punter in Dustin Keys and Brent Bowden. If they both have good games, it will be a good day for Tech.

Both teams will try to control the line of scrimmage through the run game. UVa has a good running back in Cedric Peerman, but he struggled to find running lanes against Clemson.

The Wahoos are just as good at stopping the run game as the Hokies. Their defense has finally come together late in the season. However, they have given up big plays at inopportune times during the current losing streak.

The Hokies have played well on defense their last three games, and I expect them to again this week. The question will be finding enough points to beat the Wahoos. First team to 20 wins.

As for the Hokies' quarterback situation, who knows? Tyrod will probably start. But I wouldn't be surprised if Glennon gets called into duty at some point during the game.

Hokies win if...

They are solid on defense and the kicking game and take advantage of good field position on offense.

'Hoos win if...

They avoid giving up big plays on defense and get a good performance from Peerman.

Dot-dot-dots

A win would give the Hokies their third division title in the four years since the ACC split into two divisions in 2005...since 2000, the Commonwealth Cup game has been played the weekend after Thanksgiving seven of nine years...Jarrett Boykin's touchdown catch in the second quarter last week was the first touchdown for a Hokie wide receiver this season...running back Darren Evans is averaging 121.8 yards per game at home and 56.0 yards per game on the road.

Week 14 ACC Preview

Gobbler Country — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:00:00 -0500

Week 14

Nov. 29
Miami at NC State, Noon on Raycom
Georgia Tech at Georgia, Noon on CBS
South Carolina at Clemson, Noon on ESPN2
Virginia at Virginia Tech, Noon on ESPN
Florida at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
Maryland at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
North Carolina at Duke, 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. on ESPNU

No need for the ACC Handicapping post this week. Everything's 50-50. Two coinflip games will decide the participants in the ACC CG the first weekend of December. There are also plenty of inter-conference braggin' rights on the line this weekend.

If you're a fan of chaos, you've already won. Just enjoy the turkey and the oblong.

Miami at NC State

Miami no longer has anything to play for after getting pummeled by Georgia Tech Thursday and then watching chaos ensue Saturday. NC State on the other hand would be bowl eligible with a win over the 'Canes.

Both teams did much better this season than many thought they would. And NC State, with Russell Wilson at quarterback, is suddenly the most dangerous team in the league.

Georgia Tech at Georgia

At the beginning of the year, no one would have given Georgia Tech a shot against the Bulldogs. However, the Jackets are on fire and the Dawgs are limping toward the finish line.

With Dwyer and Moreno, this will be a fun game to keep an eye on. Paul Johnson is probably already the ACC coach of the year. A win against the Dawgs to give him nine regular season wins could put him in the conversation for national coach of the year.

South Carolina at Clemson

If Clemson wins, it's bowl eligible. The offense is still not exactly a well-oiled machine, but the defense played well against Virginia.

This one could get ugly. As pumped up as we saw Dabo for his first game as head coach, I wonder what he'll be like for what could potentially be his last.

Virginia at Virginia Tech

If Tech wins, it goes to Tampa. If france wins, Georgia Tech wins the Coastal.

Both offenses are anemic at best. A big play on defense could change the look of this game in a heartbeat. I like Tech's playmakers on defense, but fear france's ability to stop the run.

Florida at Florida State

Florida still has national title aspirations. The Seminoles have look terrible one week and great the next. I expect we'll get somewhere in the middle from them for this game. Florida will win, but it won't be the blowout we thought it would be before the season started.

Maryland at Boston College

If BC wins, the Eagles go to Tampa. A win by the Terps sends FSU in the ACCCG.

The Terps had a home game with a chance to retake control of the division and got owned. This of course means they'll play well this weekend in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles will be without QB Chris Crane, but will still have the services of the best defense in the conference.

North Carolina at Duke

UNC can't make Tampa and Duke can't make a bowl. Duke was about as bad as it could have been against Virginia Tech. Expect UNC to roll.

Vanderbilt at Wake Forest

The Deacs need a win to get back on track and get a win over an SEC school for the ACC. Vandy is already going bowling, so both teams are simply trying to improve what bowl they are headed to.

Virginia Tech-Virginia: I Hate UVa

Gobbler Country — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

OK, OK. It's not so much that I hate france. It's that its very existence offends me.

The very thought of them and their fan base just bugs the hell out of me.

Everything about Charlottesville, "The Grounds" (what, are you serving coffee?), referring to themselves by year, the way they dress, their pretentiousness and their holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to academics (the hardest part about graduating form france is getting into france) really makes my blood boil.

france isn't a school. It's a state of mind. It's a way of life I can't tolerate and can't condone. I abhor snobbery and pretentiousness, and france and its fan base just oozes it.

Yes, I understand that not every france fan is like that and many of them are actually quality human beings that aren't red and scaly with a bifurcated tail and a pitch fork.

But stereotypes are what make rivalries fun, so for the purpose of this post, every france fan and graduate is a douchebag.

So let Hate Week begin. Yes, I'll take a break on Thursday for the whole Giving-of-Thanks thing, but for every other moment, I'll be loathing france with every fiber of my being.

These are two schools that couldn't be any more different and it will probably get ugly at times. But that's why college football, especially rivalry games are so great. They take usually normal, upstanding people and turn them into madmen.

Embrace the hate, wallow in the hate. Beat france.

Hokies Offense Is Still Disappointing

Gobbler Country — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:00:00 -0500

When I was just a little furrer4heisman, I got in trouble a lot. I've always had a problem with authority and would always question it and do things that would lead to me getting punished.

My parents weren't strict, but when I did go beyond the boundaries that were set for me, punishment was often harsh. This was before kids were simply put in timeout. I'm not saying parents shouldn't hit their kids (they should). It helped me mature and helped me figure out what I had to do to be a decent member of society.

But no matter what punishment they laid out, none was worse than hearing one of them say, "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed." That stung the worst because it was almost as if they'd given up. As if they knew going in that I was going to screw up. Nothing feels as bad as disappointing someone who loves you.

So as I was tailgating at the Oklahoma-Texas Tech game Saturday and the Hokies continued to fail to score against the Blue Devils, I really wasn't that angry. Hell, honestly, I wasn't even shocked.

On Thursday I predicted a 16-3 win. So when "Duke 3, Virginia Tech 14 F" scrolled on the ribbon board at the OU-TT game, I really wasn't that mad. I was relieved we had won and were still alive in the Coastal.

The Hokie offense can no longer upset me. It no longer makes me throw appliances, punch walls or make we want to kill small, defenseless woodland creatures. But Goddamn is it disappointing.

At this point, the only reason a loss this Saturday would make me angry is because it would come against france. I can't stand that school, that town, that team or those pretentious asshole fans. I don't want to just beat france, I want to annihilate them. I want to clinch the division, keep them from bowling and continue our ownership of their football program.

But the fact is, we don't deserve to go to Tampa Bay. Georgia Tech does. And that's why I'm worried about Saturday's game. We suck audibly in noon games and justice is usually done in college football. The team that deserves titles the most typically gets them. And that's why I'm not sure about the france game. The Gods of College Football just won't allow Bryan Stinespring and this offense to go to Tampa Bay.

If we lose, missing out on the ACC CG won't upset me. But losing to france will. If we lost to any other team, I would just be disappointed. But losing to france would infuriate me.

Week 13 ACC Power Poll

Gobbler Country — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:30:00 -0500

Two games left to decide the participants in Tampa.

Week 13

1. Georgia Tech
2. Boston College
3. Florida State
4. Miami
5. NC State
6. Virginia Tech
7. Maryland
8. North Carolina
9. Virginia
10. Clemson
11. Wake Forest
12. Duke

Notes

- Georgia Tech jumps BC b/c Crane is out. The Eagles got an impressive road win but lost their quarterback.

- NC State is playing as well as any team in the league right now.

- Four of the six games this week in the league were won by the road team.

- The Hokies won, but they lost. The Duke game was embarrassing.

- No matter what happens, the ACCCG will be a rematch.

Week 14 Schedule

Nov. 29

Miami at NC State, Noon on Raycom
Georgia Tech at Georgia, Noon on CBS
South Carolina at Clemson, Noon on ESPN2
Virginia at Virginia Tech, Noon on ESPN
Florida at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
Maryland at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
North Carolina at Duke, 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. on ESPNU

ACC Best of the Blogs: Week 12

Gobbler Country — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:30:00 -0500

BOSTON COLLEGE

BC All Access: Importance of the Wake/Maryland game

"If we win the Atlantic this year, I feel like it will be different. There is no one superstar on this team that people can say 'that's why they are going to the ACC championship'. No, instead this year if we make it people might actually realize that we do have a great program and a great coaching staff to go along with it. We will no longer be flukes but rather one of the better ACC teams who always have a shot at the title. Respect level should in turn rise among colleges and press around the nation as well as high-school athletes who are recruited by us."

BC Interruption: Over/Under: BC-Wake Forest

"Brian: This is a tough question. While I am optimistic, I also have some reservations about these last two games. The Wake Forest game is always interesting and Jim Grobe's offenses always seem to give the Eagles fits. Maryland has been playing well but I'm a bit more confident about that game as the Eagles will enjoy the home field advantage. I will agree with you Jeff and go over, although I'm not going to go out and buy a non-refundable plane ticket to Tampa just yet."

Eagle in Atlanta: BC-Wake Forest preview

"Although I dread playing them every year, I am glad Wake Forest continues to have success in the ACC. They remain the counterargument to any media member, fan or supposed expert who says BC’s limitations will keep us from winning championships. Now this is college football and the limitations will keep both schools from being No. 1 year after year, but Wake Forest won the conference two years ago. When we line up this Saturday, we should look across the field and realize that we can do it this year."

CLEMSON

Block-C: Arp arp arp creepy arp arp arp

"I've stood by my opinion that Georgia has the creepiest, most obnoxious, ignorant, mouthbreathing fans in the nation, and sites like DON’T GO DAWGS don’t serve to refute that argument."

Sporting Gnomes: That’s one more off the list

"I've compiled, as best I can (anyone got the defensive stats for Valdosta State for 2000? Or any national stats pre-2000?) a rough metric of the defenses Will Muschamp has been in charge of. As I had suspected, his defenses have been pretty good. Also as I suspected, the defenses were pretty good before and/or after he left. That doesn’t automatically mean he’s a bad defensive coordinator, but it does mean that is difficult to differentiate his performance from that of the people with which he surrounds himself."

FLORIDA STATE

Scalp 'Em: Will The Bad Economy Mean A Quicker End For Bobby Bowden?

"So how will this affect Bobby Bowden? Well, I’ve often heard that one of the main reasons for keeping Bobby Bowden around, despite his advancing age, a continuous barrage of personnel infractions, and a diminished national stature was that Bowden could bring in the dollars. My opinions was that Bowden’s legacy and his persona as the face of Florida State Football have been invaluable in getting people to open up their wallets, even when the team’s record was less than stellar. Bowden has been a money making machine the athletic department could not afford to give up."

Tomahawk Nation: Bowden pre-game speech

"I can't have more respect for what Coach Bowden has done for the program. But I find this video to be the equivalent of that clip when Nancy Reagan is whispering the right answers to then-President Reagan late in his second term."

GEORGIA TECH

The Legacyx4: A Georgia Tech/ Miami Conversation with Gobbler Country

"Yesterday during Miami's whoopin', Furrer4heisman, from Gobbler Country and I traded text messages. The conversation was so ridiculous, I had to share it:" (Ed.: What, you thought I would go with any other post?)

Mash on the Gas: Space Station Flyover!

"Georgia Tech has three grads on the Shuttle Endeavor and the International Space Station who will make an appearance at tonight's game. Col. Eric Boe and Lt. Col. Robert "Shane" Kimbrough both grew up in the Atlanta area and have Master's degrees from Tech. Also on board will be Sandra Magnus, who received a Doctorate from Tech."

MARYLAND

Turtle Waxing: Terps set up showdown with FSU

"In another monsoon, like the game against NC State a few weeks earlier, the Terps were able to keep the ground game moving the chains and relied on QB Chris Turner to make the critical throws when needed. In contrast North Carolina's Cam Sexton had little support from the Carolina ground game and was forced to convert third and long downs in the worst weather conditions. Sexton certainly struggled with his accuracy but when your QB is facing third and nine yards or more in eight of your eleven third downs in those conditions you're not going to be successful."

MIAMI

All Canes: 41-23 : U got Wrecked...

"The defense looked lost the entire game. Misdirection had the Canes' front seven out of place and zigging when they needed to zag. Godforbid Miami found the backfield and had a shot at stuffing the opposition, players failed to wrap up. On occasion two or three defenders had a shot at a Tech running back, whiffed and turned a two-yard loss into a forty-yard gain."

Hall of Canes: Humiliating defeat

"Tech's triple option looked deadly vs. Miami's young defense. The Canes allowed 471 rushing yards - the second most in school history. The record was set by Auburn in 1944. Georgia Tech could have had more yards had their star fullback not been injured fairly early in the game. Tech pretty much took it easy on the Canes in the fourth quarter."

NORTH CAROLINA

Carolina March: Maryland 17, UNC 15

"It was a crap football game, played in the rain, at a miserable stadium in a miserable town among miserable people subjected to an endless barrage of the same two cuts off whatever miserable Jock Jams CD the Maryland AV Club dug out of a bargain bin. It was a crap football game in which UNC, with a chance to accept clear control over the Coastal Division instead, for the third time this season, not show up for the second half and give it away. It was a crap football game that was painful to watch and I am all the worse for being subjected to it."

Tar Heel Fan: Tudor: Start Sexton

"I understand where Tudor is coming from. His argument is that Sexton deserves a 2nd chance, really has had only one bad game that he can be totally blamed for and his commitment to the program should be rewarded with some grace after last week. The problem with that is Butch Davis does not really have time to make people comfortable. Davis has said more times than I can count that he will play the players who give the team it’s best chance to win the game. That is exactly the approach he should take and issues of a player staying with the program or whether this guy or that is not to be blamed for a certain loss is all poppycock. The only conclusion Tudor offered above that bears any relevance on the criteria set by Davis is Sexton’s home record which is unblemished. Aside from that, whatever happens in practice will give the UNC head coach the information he needs to deploy the best option at QB for UNC on Saturday."

Tar Heel Mania: You’d Be Amazed At The Things People Write When They’re Mad

"The UNC-Maryland game was played during a storm that, just 12 hours and a few hundred miles earlier, produced tornadoes. It was played either in driving rain or in a green slip-n-slide. These are conditions that are, by nature, not conducive to a passing game. John Shoop decides to run more pass plays than run plays. When UNC did run the ball they only got 71 total yards. And somehow this is all the fault of a quarterback who, to that point, was a 5-1 starter with 8 touchdowns and 3 interceptions."

NC STATE

Section Six: The Wilson Effect

"With a healthy and increasingly comfortable Russell Wilson under center, the offense has made significant strides, averaging an additional yard per snap over the second half of the schedule. In addition to throwing the ball well, Wilson's done more damage running the football; along with a more cohesive offensive line, that's helped the Wolfpack establish a consistent running game."

StateFans Nation: Quarterbacks take center stage for State-Carolina

"I may be proven completely wrong…but, I don’t think there is really any drama in this 'decision.' I also don’t think it makes one ounce of difference to NC State since Carolina’s offense doesn’t change much regardless of who is under center."

Yet another...: Remember folks... we are NOT their rivals

"The obvious response would be a painting of the Old Well, which occurred last year, but the Heels stepped up and organized a protection squad/rally to keep it from getting painted again this year (taken from the monkey boards):"

VIRGINIA

From Old Virginia: Two roundtables for the price of one

"The votes are in, we have a winner, and it's unanimous: the bloggers like parity. Gives us something to write about, and something more interesting to bitch about than 'goddammit FSU won again.'"

Good Ol' Blog: One Game at a Time

"Speaking of circling the drain, Clemson, the preseason favorite to win the ACC, managed to lose its head coach (finally) and most of its games this year. Rather than tuning up for the ACC championship game in the home stretch, the Tigers currently are further in the hole in terms of bowl eligibility than UVa. Clemson must beat the Hoos on the road and then beat their currently ranked in-state rival South Carolina to get to 6 qualifying wins (Clemson has two victories against FCS teams, and only one of those counts toward bowl eligibility)."

VIRGINIA TECH

Beer Control Offense: CFB Week 13 Television Viewing Guide

"A young team that doesn't play that well on the road, save Nebraska is now home ... For at least 2 more games. That alone should be a win. Doook is better than they have been since the ole ball coach walked the sidelines, so they aren't chopped liver and tech's shitty O keeps EVERY team they play in the games. A nite game helps, sauced fans equals juiced players."

College Game Balls: Because the ACC Coastal is too Complicated to Figure Out

"Here is a chart detailing every scenario for the ACC Coastal. See Chris Fowler its not that complicated…"

Fire Bryan Stinespring: And So We're Still In This Thing...

"I'm a child of the '90s. Flannel. Bad hair. Bad attitudes. Three power cords, repeated ad infinitum. Good times. So who better than Eddie Vedder to explain my current feelings on our situation?"

Tailgate Fever: Runnin’ With The Devil

"It is implausible that we just don't have any talent on offense year after year after year after year. And all the excuses such as we are young, we've had injuries, we are just one block away, don't cut it. The fact is he is in charge of this offense, and this offense sucks. And it has for a long time through multiple offensive lines, multiple quarterbacks, multiple running backs, and the best receiving corps to ever play at Tech. The only solution is wholesale change on offense. We consider ourselves to be great fans who believe tailgating, fun, sportsmanship, and a dozen other great things about the college game are more important than winning, but there is no way around this simple fact any more. And he shouldn’t even be fired.....he should resign. (Trust us Coach Beamer, we hate saying it almost as much as you hate hearing it, so please don’t yell at us.)"

Tech Sideline: Your FREE-view Duke preview and Top-10!

"The classic TSL.com MB mantra of “focus”. Duke has improved, to their credit, and Head Coach David Cutcliffe could be on his way to becoming a hot commodity in the D-1 coaching ranks if he’s not careful. Duke also (now) has several guys who could start for us/VT. But they are still Duke, the ACC’s football doormat. Though I want to believe. their increased defensive talent level and effectual coaching staff could possibly catch a VT football team sleeping; should we forget to set our O&M alarm for 5:30pm."

Tech SuperFans: Duke Preview

"Lets face it folks, these guys are high powered, but other than Georgia Tech these guys really have not faced a defense worth spitting at. And Georgia Tech shut-em down completely. [One might argue, what about Miami? They put up 31 on their defense. My response, see last night's Georgia Tech-Miami game.] Bud Foster's defense should have no trouble with these guys."

VT Fan: The Hokies and The ACC Championship Game

"So despite all our despair over the current Hokie difficiencies and struggles, its youth, and its 109th ranked offense, its not at all out of the realm of possibility that the Hokies will be playing in Tampa come December 6th. Who they will play, is a whole other post that I really don’t care to write."

Virginia Tech-Duke: What to Watch

Gobbler Country — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0500

The Team

There have been a lot of distractions for the Hokies since they lost at Miami.

Our embattled offensive coordinator became more embattled. Our defensive coordinator appears to be coaching his final games in orange and maroon. The offensive and defensive units appear to be feuding. I think the stress of this season may be taking its toll on Beamer, the coaching staff, and even the players.

But then Georgia Tech beat Miami.

It should be different now. None of the crap from the last eight days should matter anymore. If we win two games at home against two teams we fare well against, we will win the division and be one win away from the Orange Bowl. This should be a motivated football team that comes out for a night game at Lane Stadium Saturday.

Should.

Offense

Duke actually has some talent on the defensive side of the ball. I love the way defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase and linebacker Michael Tauiliili play. They have helped Duke improve at stopping the run. Last year, the Devils were No. 11 in the ACC in YPC allowed with 4.3. This year, that number has been lowered to 3.8, good enough to have them at No. 7 in the ACC.

It's an improvement. While the Hokies should be able to find success on the ground, I think it won't be the kind of success we are used to against Duke. We will have to throw the ball to beat the Devils.

Fortunately for the Hokies, Duke is terrible at defending the pass. It allows an ACC-worst 7.9 YPA. That number is slightly higher than the 7.8 YPA the Devils allowed last season, also worst in the conference.

Both cornerbacks for the Blue Devils are seniors, which just means it's the same sorry players they've been trotting out at corner the last couple years. They should be pushovers. I think this is the game the receivers finally get a TD catch.

The Duke linebackers are good enough to limit the catches Greg Boone and the rest of the tight ends will get. It will just be up to the offensive line to give the quarterbacks enough time to find open receivers.

Duke is getting two sacks per game, which is in the middle of the pack in the ACC. However, the Hokies are giving up the most sacks per game in the ACC, both overall and in conference games. Tech has surrendered 28 sacks this year, including an astounding 19 in six league games.

That's while using a mobile quarterback for all but one of the games.

Needless to say, that's a key stat that needs to improve for the Hokies to win out and go to Tampa.

I think the Hokies will struggle to put points on the board against Duke. Yes, we'll be able to move the ball, but I'm not sure it will lead to a lot of points. The Blue Devils have been decent in the red zone this year. This could be another Dustin Keys special.

Defense

The Hokies have been relentless at getting to the quarterback this year. Tech has the most sacks in league games with 19 (3.17 per game). It will face a Duke team that prepares to play without starting quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. While Lewis is not the most mobile of quarterbacks, he is able to avoid pressure. Duke has allowed 11 sacks in six conference games.

Zack Asack looks to be the man under center for the Devils. Simply, they will not be a good football team if Lewis isn't the quarterback. He is one of the primary reasons Duke has improved this year. He has avoided the costly interceptions that have plagued the Duke offense in years past. Without him, it will be open season for the Hokie front four, as well as the secondary.

Duke's best offensive player is wide receiver Eron Riley, who at 6'3" poses a matchup problem for every VT defensive back not named Kam. However, without a semblance of a rushing game and without Lewis, Riley will be a non-factor. I think Duke will be lucky to score points if the defense is motivated and plays to its potential.

I think the defense will get sacks and picks against the Zack Attack. Those may need to lead directly to points if the Hokies want to put away the Devils, who at times have been pesky this year.

I don't want to see Jason Worilds play unless we absolutely need him on Saturday. He's banged up, and there's no need to risk further injury to his shoulder against Duke. We will need him against the Wahoos.

Check the Box Score for...

1. Turnovers
2. VT passing yards
3. Duke rushing yards
4. Sacks (both teams)

VT Players to Watch

5 - Tyrod Taylor, So., QB
81 - Jarrett Boykin, Fr., WR
90 - Orion Martin, Sr., DE
17 - Kam Chancellor, Jr., FS

Duke Players to Watch

15 - Eron Riley, Sr., WR
74 - Cameron Goldberg, Sr., LT
3 - Vince Oghobaase, Jr., DT
34 - Michael Tauiliili, Sr., LB

Final Score

Virginia Tech 16, Duke 3

Let's Do Some Lines: College Football Picks Week 13

Gobbler Country — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

All lines are from Bodog, the official illegal online gambling site of furrer4heisman. My picks are in bold.

I'm taking A LOT of road teams this week. I'm pretty much screwed.

Miami +3.5 at Georgia Tech

- An unhealthy Nesbitt against a solid DL.

NC State +11 at North Carolina

- Pack keep rollin'.

Clemson -2.5 at Virginia

- I can't bring myself to bet on the 'Hoos.

Boston College +2 at Wake Forest

- The return of Bad Chris Crane.

Duke +17 at Virginia Tech

- By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

Florida State +1 at Maryland

- Maryland at home > Maryland on road.

Other teams I like this week

Houston -15.5 vs. UTEP

- Cougs on fire.

Air Force +18.5 at TCU

- Back to the well.

Washington -7.5 at Washington State

- I had to bet on this game.

Texas Tech +7 at Oklahoma

- OU's pass defense is turrrbullll.

UConn +3 at South Florida

- Donald Brown leads Huskies to victory.

How I Did Last Week Against the Spread

ACC: 2-3

Correct: Clemson, NC State
Wrong: Miami, UMd, FSU

Nation: 2-3

Correct: Texas, USM
Wrong: Air Force, Wiscy, Temple

Year to Date

ACC: 37-28-1
Nation: 33-25
Total: 70-53-1

ACC Best of the Blogs: Week 11

Gobbler Country — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Boston College

BC All Access: Boston College-Victoria's Secret Dispute
"Victoria Secret has deals with many major colleges to produce school clothing, and I think BC would be missing a big opportunity if they chose not to allow Victoria Secret to sell Boston College clothing.

Some colleges actually have their school names on Victoria Secret underwear, but BC didn't allow this, so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. The clothes are actually a big hit, plenty of girls around campus can be seen sporting the sweats."

BC Interruption: Oddsmakers: Eagles vs. 'Noles and the Division Race
"Jeff: Oh I hope the answer to this is 0%. I hope Jags never sends the field goal unit out there on Saturday except if time is expiring at the end of the first half and we have the ball in Florida State territory. Also, if we are tied at the end of regulation I wouldn't mind attempting a field goal.

"Unfortunately though, after Aponavicius missed the first field goal on Saturday against Notre Dame, Jags sent him back out there two more times so it seems as though Jags is set on attempting these field goals against my wishes. So on Saturday I imagine there will be one or two field goal attempts but the chances of BC making one out of only one or two attempts on the road in prime time I'm going to say are slim. 20%."

Eagle in Atlanta: The Raji Tackle
"This play is slowly taking on legendary status for BC fans and ND haters alike. I don't want to spark the whole recruiting rankings debate again, but let's all agree that sometimes the experts get it wrong (Raji was a two-star, Olsen a four-star)."

Clemson

Block-C: Is this what Clemson is telling recruits?
"I guess, if it’s not true, it’s at least a smart tactic. Coaching turnover scares recruits, as our massive drop in committed recruits would attest."

Sporting Gnomes: Thoughts on hiring the new HC
"Fourth and finally, beware the coordinators of strong programs. I’m thinking of Will Muschamp here. I’ve heard great things about his personality, but I have honestly heard zero about his qualifications.

"He was at LSU from ‘01-’04, Auburn from ‘06-’07, and now he’s at Texas. He’s been a part of winning teams, but how well can we back out his contribution? For all I know, he’s good at finding jobs where there is so much talent that it’s almost impossible to fail."

Florida State

Chant Rant: Will it be the punch heard around the college football world?
"Put yourself in the same situation (based on what we've heard so far). You're out with some of your best buddies. Guys you also work with and share a strong bond. Suddenly one of them gets jumped. Would you really just stand by and watch the mayhem?"

Scalp 'em: Food For Thought: Last Year’s BC Game
"FSU beat then No. 2 Boston College… with none other than…Drew Weatherford at QB, who was 29-45 for 354 yards with two TDs and no INTs. I’m just sayin’."

Tomahawk Nation: The Seminole Report Card: FSU 41, Clemson 27
"Clemson had 1 play over 40 yards (44), five of 20+, and 16 plays of 10+ yards. That's not good. They did abandon the run as the game wore on: 24 first half runs, 12 second half runs. Clemson had 73 plays to work with, largely because of FSU's two huge special teams miscues, which immediately gave CU 12 more plays."

Georgia Tech

The Legacy x4: GT Ballin' Names
"2. I-Perfection Harris—How can you top that? Maybe with his brother's name of I-Finesse? Harris ended up at Kent State but that first name is pretty epic."

Maryland

Turtle Waxing: Hiding Portis
"I've been critical of the token use of QB Josh Portis at times this season but in thinking about the loss to Virginia Tech I'm not sure why he wasn't used on a few plays. The Hokies were shutting down the running game and Da'Rel Scott was clearly not the same player from before his shoulder got reinjured against N.C. State so it would have made sense to put a dual threat in the backfield.

"Portis could even be used in the backfield with Chris Turner as that could cause some serious confusion to the opposing defense. Alternating him in at quarterback, running back or slot receiver could make his athletic skills much more dangerous, especially if the offense utilized some pre-snap shifts.

"Portis is of limited utility because he can't seem to read defenses or totally grasp the playbook but in limited circumstances he could be effective."

Miami

All Canes: Sam Shields: On The Mend
"Shannon and staff have gotten immediate impact out of true freshman and after some early growing pains, these Canes are in the midst of a four-game win streak. While Miami is reliant on a slew of rookies, Shields proves that coaches haven't given up on some of the older talent."

North Carolina

Carolina March: Ah, the Angst of Being a UNC Football Coach
"There certainly are reasons why Tennessee would be an attractive proposition for Davis. The Vols play in the Southeastern Conference, which is superior to the Atlantic Coast Conference in football. And at Tennessee, the football program is No. 1 on campus. Davis will always be No. 2 at North Carolina—or 1-A at best—behind Roy Williams and his basketball powerhouse."

Tar Heel Fan: Explain this one to me
"The is an actual answer to this quandry is if you could compare the pace of ticket sales up until now. Why is that important? Because no one knew football would conflict with basketball until the game time was announced 10 days ago.

"If there was a sudden downturn in ticket sales once folks realized basketball and football would be playing at the same time, then there is merit to the argument. If however the sales have held steady or if UNC is actually outperfoming Wake and NCSU in sales over the past 10 days then the argument is poppycock."

Tareye/Buckheel Tampa? You must be crazy
"Could this be the dawn of a dominant ACC program? Virginia Tech, Florida State and Miami have regressed a tad, opening the door for new powers in a more balanced conference. If Butch Davis stays for the long haul, the Heels look to become a perennial power with the recruiting and coaching here."

NC State

Section Six: Watch me jumpstart
"The Blue Devils did what it appears they've generally done all season—chip away slowly but surely. Nothing disastrous, but nothing spectacular, either. They put together three double-digit-play drives, but only one netted them points. That's how it went for Duke, which was methodical but couldn't quite produce the big plays in the big spots."

StateFans Nation: Wilson Stakes Claim; Wake up this weekend
"Wilson has performed better than almost anyone could have dreamed this season and has therefore promised to make the quarterback competition with freshman Mike Glennon interesting to watch in the future. (What a nice ‘problem’ to have)."

Yet Another...: A look at the Wake game, relatively speaking
"The question will be can State's offense, that looked so good in the first half against Duke, have similar success against a very stout Wake defense. The disparity in the rankings seem to suggest no, but the one chink in the Deacon armor may be their pass defense. And with Russell Wilson continuing to improve each week passing the football, State may have opportunities passing the ball downfield."

Virginia

From Old Virginia: The dreaded vote of confidence
"So I believe Littlepage when he says Groh will coach the team next year. Believing Littlepage shouldn't be a yes or no proposition, but unfortunately, such is the nature of pronouncements like this. ADs and GMs all too frequently fire the coach anyway. But this means a couple things.

"One, Littlepage seems like a frequent guest at practices. I don't know how much Littlepage, or ADs in general, hang out at practice. I'll bet old-ass Bill Martin over at Michigan doesn't do it much. But it doesn't seem like an ideal situation for a coach's job security. Two, unless we go to a bowl next year, get ready for obsessive flight-tracking and all the other trappings of insanity that go with the words "coaching search." "

Good Ol' Blog: Evaluating Virginia’s championship chances
"Thus, by my unscientific gut-feeling estimation (the best kind), Virginia will be heading to Blacksburg with a trip to the ACC Championship game on the line — with the winner of that game getting the ticket. Just like last year. And, right now, I’ve got Virginia losing that battle. Just like last year."

Virginia Tech

Beer Control Offense: Week 11 Thoughts
"Cody Grimm did not make the top three, but that lil guy lights dudes up weekly. At 5' nothing, he must be angry all the time. You know the Fridge must hate losing to Beamer but even worse they get their asses handed to them physically every time they play.

"Only in 2005 when big Jared Gaither decleated Adibi can I remember a big hit laid by a Terp. You know those three cats were getting oohed and ahhhed when they watched film the next day."

College Game Balls: Miami is the Dirty Scum you Scrape off Your Shoe
"We are less than 24 hours away from Virginia Tech at Miami. This matchup has lost its national appeal, but for the Hokies and Hurricanes pride and the ACC Coastal are on the line. The bottom line is this, Hokies hate Hurricanes and Hurricanes hate Hokies."

Tailgate Fever: Sometimes Life Gets In The Way
"101 Proof. Oh hell yes. The Wild Turkey offense is a brilliant idea. And it only took the Offensive Coordinator three seasons of watching it succeed elsewhere before implementing it in our offense. Greg Boone is a badass. And there is no reason he shouldn't play more from this position.

"The Tyrod-Glennon double injury is precisely why you don't move Cory Holt to WR, oh by the way. Considering he never played a significant down at WR, you have to ask yourself....what is wrong with our coaching staff? Justin Hamilton, Chris Clifton, Ike Whitaker, Cory Holt...it is an endless list. Just keep the backups at their appropriate position. We might need them someday."

Tech Sideline: David Wilson is Underrated
"But I watch Wilson run, and I see something that makes me believe he’s going to be really good. I don’t like to put any undue pressure on a football recruit, but I have to do my job as well. I think Wilson is every bit as good a prospect as Logan Thomas, and I think there’s a decent chance he could end up with a five-star rating before it’s all said and done."

Tech SuperFans: Game Preview vs. Miami
"So what's the key to adding another notch in the W-column for Virginia Tech? Miami seems to have a fairly developed offense, but it seems to hinge primarily on their number one's at the passing game and rushing game. Once you get past them on the depth chart, the number two and number three players don't contribute so much to the offense produced by the team.

"If the Hokie defense can shut down Miami's stars, they'll probably contain the Miami offense. If Marve successfully gets the ball in the hands of Cooper and Johnson routinely, Miami will put up some big points."

VT Fan: Hokies Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams Tale of Two Stories
"But like many of the other 'olympic' sports, the Hokie soccer teams are benefiting tremendously from being in the ACC. Both programs are sleeping giants that are on their way to being consistent top performers. For example, the women’s team went 2-0 against UVa this year (the men lost 2-1), and they days of the UVa powerhouse dominating the soccer rivalry between the schools in both men’s and women’s is over."

Let's Do Some Lines: College Football Week 12

Gobbler Country — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0500

All lines are from Bodog, the official illegal online gambling site of furrer4heisman. My picks are in bold.

Virginia Tech +5 at Miami

Miami will be able to limit our run game.

Duke +11 at Clemson

Tigers keep bowl dreams alive.

Wake Forest -3.5 at NC State

Upset special.

North Carolina -3 at Maryland

UNC learned how to stop the run. Watch out, everyone.

Boston College +7 at Florida State

FSU athletes create mismatches in BC secondary. Chris Crane: three turnovers.

Other Teams I Like

Air Force +5.5 vs. BYU

My weekly wager on the Falcons.

Texas -13 at Kansas

Kansas will go 6-6 this year as I predicted.

Wisconsin -14 vs. Minnesota

Badgers will run all over the Gophs.

Southern Miss -1 vs. East Carolina

Pirates' slide continues.

Temple -1 at Kent State

Why not?

How I did last week against the spread

ACC: 4-1

Correct: NCSU, WF, FSU, BC
Wrong: GT

Nation: 3-2

Correct: Ohio St., Air Force, Kentucky
Wrong: Oklahoma St., Ohio

Year to Date

ACC: 35-25-1
Nation: 31-22
Total: 66-47-1

Virginia Tech-Miami: What to Watch

Gobbler Country — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:00:00 -0500

Most stats are from cfbstats.com.

Dolphin Stadium

I'm interested to see how many people show up to Dolphin Stadium on a Thursday night. Will there be just as many Hokie fans as Cane fans, like in 2006? Will the place be half full? Or will there be a strong showing from Cane fans for a team that may very well win their division for the first time since joining the ACC?

Offense

- I'm predicting Glennon will start. Then again, I said Holt would start against Maryland. But, with Glennon healing faster than Tyrod and Glennon not having to rely on his running ability, it will very likely be Glennon under center.

- We'll see the Wild Turkey formation with Boone under center again. I'm interested in seeing more zone road option from Boone in this game. Almost every time we ran the Wild Turkey against Maryland, it was either a reverse to the receiver in motion or Boone running to the left or right.

- There was one Wild Turkey play where Boone faked the run and dropped back to pass. If our offensive line hadn't broken down on the play, Boone would have been able to throw a pass for the first time in his career. However, he was forced to scramble. If that play looked familiar, it's because Ryan Perrilloux ran it and threw a touchdown against us last year in Baton Rouge.

- The Hokies will be able to run the ball better than they did against BC but not as well as they did against Maryland. Expect a performance more along the lines of what we saw against Georgia Tech or FSU. Evans averaged 4.9 YPC against the Jackets and 5.1 against the Noles. If he can get around that against the Canes, I'll be happy.

- The problem for the Hokies is Miami is best in the ACC in YPC allowed. It allows 2.9 YPC this season. However, that number goes up to 3.5 against ACC foes, which ranks No. 5 in the ACC (VT is No. 1).

- As for yards per game numbers, Miami's D gives up 146.2 YPG against ACC foes, No. 8 in the conference. The Hokies gain 166.2 YPG in conference games, No. 3 in the conference. So while it will be more difficult for the Hokies to get yards on the ground against the Canes, it may not be as difficult as I originally thought.

- The Canes have had a lot of injuries on defense this year but still have talent. I have been exponentially impressed by freshman defensive end Adewale Ojomo. The kid is a freak and has disrupted every offense he has played. He will line up against the Hokies' best tackle, Ed Wang. If Wang can mitigate Ojomo's effect on our offense, we'll have a lot better luck moving the ball.

- A big problem for the Hokies is that Glennon is still missing high when he is inaccurate. This will lead to interceptions against a defense as skilled as Miami's.

Defense

- The Canes have two quarterbacks with basically the same skill sets in Jacory Harris and Robert Marve. As you read in our Q&A with Canes305 from allCanes, Harris is the better passer and Marve is the better runner. However, what you will see is Marve start, Harris play early, and then head coach Randy Shannon go with whoever has the hot hand down the stretch.

- In Miami's six wins, both quarterbacks have been very good with passer ratings in the 120s. In the three losses, both have been bad with passer ratings in the 80s. This is a little surprising to me because I expected one quarterback to be a little more consistent in their win/loss splits, with the other one having a bigger difference when Miami is succeeding vs. when they are losing.

- It also tells me the key to disrupting the Miami offense is to get pressure on the quarterback. The Hokies must be able to cut down on how much time both QBs have to make their decisions while at the same time containing them in the pocket and keeping them from scrambling for yards.

- The Hokies have been good at getting to the quarterback lately, and I think we'll have the same success against the Canes. The trick will be stopping Miami's run game.

- When the Canes run the ball, it will be strength against strength. As I mentioned above, the Hokies are giving up an ACC-best 3.1 YPC in conference games. However, the Canes are averaging 4.3 YPC on offense in conference games, No. 3 in the ACC.

- Miami features two solid running backs in Javarris James and Graig Cooper. Cooper became a hoss when James was out with injury earlier this year. James is back, but still not at 100 percent.

- Not surprisingly, there's a big, big difference in rushing yards for the Canes in games they win and games they lose. They average 4.6 YPC in wins and 2.9 YPC in losses. Stop the running game and you stop Miami. Our DTs, particularly Taco Thompson, have been playing their best football. However, I think Miami will have success running the ball, particularly with Cooper.

- Macho Harris needs to have a big game for Tech. I don't think he's played his best the last couple of games, but he could get back to the way he played in the middle of the season against Miami.

He'll have the chance at least. The Canes have very talented wide receivers, and the scouts will be watching. Remember how big a game Brandon Flowers had against the Canes in 2006? Macho needs to have that kind of game.

Outcome

- The Younglings are a talented football team. Like Tech, they have a lot of freshmen and sophomores at the skill positions. They also have experienced players at key positions on defense.

- I don't think we'll be able to take advantage of Miami's weakness, which is their secondary. Because of this, I think you'll see a 2006-type game that's low-scoring with a few big plays here and there that decide the game.

- Miami's big, skilled wide receivers will be able to make plays against our secondary, which has been exploited when we haven't been able to get pressure on the quarterback. These receivers aren't as good as Florida State's, but it's close. I've been very impressed with Aldarius Johnson this year.

- In the end, one mistake late will decide the game. Unfortunately, with this game being on the road, I think the Hokies make that mistake.

Watch the Box Score For

1. Turnovers.
2. VT sacks
3. Miami rushing yards.
4. Non-offensive touchdowns.

VT Players to Watch

8 - Greg Boone, Jr., TE/QB/RB
77 - Ed Wang, Jr., LT
1 - Macho Harris, Sr., CB
95 - Taco Thompson, Jr., DT

Miami Players to Watch

4 - Aldarius Johnson, Fr., WR
2 - Graig Cooper, So., RB
97 - Adewale Ojomo, Fr., DE
31 - Sean Spence, Fr., LB

Final Score

Miami 17, Virginia Tech 10

Virginia Tech-Miami: Q&A with allCanes

Gobbler Country — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Canes305 from allCanes was nice enough to answer our questions on this week's VT-Miami game. Click here for my answers to his questions.

Q: The Younglings are on a roll and have won four consecutive games after starting the season 2-3. They have a legitimate shot now at going to the ACC title game. How has this team performed based on what your expectations were before the season?

When the season started, I said 9-3 would be a dream season and that 8-4 was very doable. 7-5 had to be the worst case, but was tolerable as long as this team played with heart, which they are doing.

I think Miami can go 2-1 down the stretch and that an 8-4 looks like a reality and would be huge after a 2-3 start and back-to-back losses to North Carolina and Florida State (by a combined six points).

Personally, I don't think the Canes get to the ACC title game this year. Next year it's a reality, but the two early season ACC losses will come back to haunt.

A four-game win streak would need to turn into a seven-game streak and that's asking a lot for a young, inexperienced team. They're liable to slip somewhere down the stretch.

As for how this team has performed, I'll reserve judgment until the season is over. The fact that Miami was able to rebound from a 2-3 start was impressive, as last year's team would've gone in the toilet. The Canes are showing grit, determination and heart.

That said, now is no time to let up. Wins against Wake Forest and Virginia were impressive, but Miami needs to 'bring it' against Virginia Tech (11/13) and Georgia Tech (11/20) as both have had their number the past few years.

Where this team has exceeded expectations is in regards to the freshman class. On paper, Miami knew they had some ballers... but to see these kids hit the ground running and play beyond their years, it's been incredible. These freshman have single-handedly saved the season and have the future looking extremely bright.

Q: Randy Shannon has had good luck recently at quarterback going with whoever has the hot hand. Are you comfortable with the two quarterback system the Canes have right now? Is there one quarterback (Marve or Harris) you feel should be the No. 1 guy?

I like the current system. After Harris led the comeback against Duke weeks ago, people were clamoring for him to be starter. I disagreed and posed the argument, what happens if Marve comes in and saves the day against Wake the following week - which he did. You can't flip-flop your starter week-to-week. That's how you turn a competition into a controversy.

The current system works. Start Marve, give Harris his reps and go with the hot hand down the stretch. Both these kids are first-year starters. Both need to play. Let them get through 2008 and come spring 2009, open up the competition again and see who wins the starting job. One of these guys will eventually separate themselves from the other. Until then, play them both.

If I had to rate them, I'd definitely go Harris as 1a and Marve as 1b right now. Both are studs, but Harris' composure and playmaking ability - it's immeasurable regarding a true freshman. Marve seems to have better wheels and plays more by feel than with his mind.

Q: How close is Javarris James to being at 100 percent and how important is it for the Canes offense to have a healthy James in the backfield?

You only know what the coaches tell you... and around Miami, that isn't much. James hasn't been 100% healthy in his career, so it's hard to gauge his healing progress. As for the importance, it's crucial he gets back in the line up down the stretch.

Graig Cooper is a superstar, but the wear and tear is showing as he's a smaller back. He had a lull there against Virginia where he was ineffective, though somehow dug deep on the final drive and in OT to will Miami to victory.

A two-headed rushing attack was so important for success this season. Miami has truly missed James and needs him these next few weeks if they have any shot at winning out. Back ups like Shawnbrey McNeal, Derron Thomas and Lee Chambers are capable backs, but none are proving to have that 'it' factor and there hasn't been any separation between the back ups.

Next season Miami looks to reel in Kansas' top-rated Bryce Brown, Killian's Lamar Miller and Mike James, from Davenport, FL. Brown and James are your Willis McGahee-type bigger backs and Miller has drawn Clinton Portis-like comparisons. The Canes ground game will get a huge boost in 2009.

Q: The Hurricane defense has suffered a lot of key injuries this season. How does the Miami defensive line stack up against the VT offensive line and who on defense needs to step up this Thursday for the Canes?

Miami's defensive line isn't the strong point it's been in years passed. The Canes started the year expecting senior Eric Moncur to be the team's anchor, but he was lost to injury weeks ago.

That said, other under the radar guys have stepped up. Adewale Ojomo is a r-freshman who's been a big time surprise and Miami finally has Josh Holmes back from injury - a member of the 2006 class who's been sidelined most of his career. Dwayne Hendricks.

Steven Wesley and Antonio Dixon have all played good football, but aren't your dominant Miami lineman of yesteryear. Young guys like Allen Bailey and freshman Marcus Forston are more in that mold and should be superstars when it's all said and one.

The Canes front seven will need to get some penetration on Thursday night. Too many times this year, Miami's line hasn't gotten to the quarterback or stuffed the run. Secondary is the Achilles' Heel on this team and if the front seven doesn't do their job, Tech's passing game will thrive.

Miami obviously also needs to hit Darren Evans behind the line of scrimmage. Evans isn't really under the radar anymore after his monster game against Maryland.

Q: How has the move to Dolphin Stadium affected Miami football?

I think 5-7 last year, 7-6 the year before and a new coaching staff all have affected Miami football more than a stadium change. Had Miami left the OB when the Canes were thriving, it'd have been a bigger issue... but when you leave your legendary stadium with a whimper and not a bang, you have bigger things to worry about.

Over the past two seasons, the Canes went 9-5 in the OB. A shell of a program that owns a record 58-home game win streak back in the day and a 26-game home win streak between 1999-2003.

Winning ways will make Dolphin Stadium feel like home, over time. The Canes need some signature home wins and to turn the program around. Once that's done, the stadium itself won't matter anymore. It was time for change.

The Orange Bowl will forever be home, but the landscape of college football is changing and Miami needed a facelift. In the matter of one season, the Canes literally went from the worst stadium in the ACC to the best.

Hard to argue with an NFL stadium that's hosted its share of Super Bowls. The fans may miss the tradition, but 17-year old recruits love the JumboTron and fact they're playing in a big-time stadium. At day's end, that's what really matters.

Q: What do you think of Randy Shannon and do you think he's the guy who will get Miami back to competing for national championships year in and year out?

I'm on Randy's bandwagon and have been since day one. Anyone who isn't is either impatient or is in denial regarding how fall Miami football had fallen. This looks to be the first year since 1974 that not one Cane is drafted. Forget 14-year first round streak... rumor has it Miami won't even have Mr. Irrelevant.

You can't go from being one of the most talent-heavy programs in the nation to talent-starved and expect a new coach to hit the ground running and just turn things around.

Randy Shannon inherited the worst Miami program in three decades. Larry Coker was the first Miami coach to be fired in over thirty years. All others have left for greener pastures and left the cupboards stocked when they moved on.

The Canes were a putrid squad last year, which is why so many freshman are starting and are so heavily relied upon. If you look at the team Shannon took over last fall and compare them to where they are 15 months later, it's pretty incredible.

He recruits like Jimmy Johnson and Butch Davis and it's looking like he'll develop talent like both his predecessors, based on the immediate impact the freshman are having.

If Shannon can get this team to 9-4 this year (after the bowl) or even 8-5, this year is a success and there's something to build on. Miami can get to the ACC title game next year and after two more classes, I think the Canes are in the hunt with Shannon by 2010. This class will prove to be the foundation and when these kids are juniors and seniors, you'll see the Miami you always knew and hated.

Q: Give us a Canes fan's take on the Virginia Tech-Miami rivalry.

I dig the rivalry. Virginia Tech has become a proud program and although they don't have the national championships on their resume, they've definitely made their presence felt getting to some big time bowl games the past dozen or so years.

The Hokies definitely capitalized on the Canes' probation in the 90s, winning five straight. VT didn't get its first win against UM until 1995, Butch Davis' first year when probation and a lack of scholarships crippled the program for the latter half of the 90s. Of course probation had nothing to do with the 1999 beat down, as that was the year Tech became a 'player'.

Virginia Tech is again capitalizing on Miami's mistakes - this time around a lame-duck head coach who left the program in shambles almost as bad as probation did ten years ago.

The Hokies never seem to beat on the Canes when Miami is on a roll (early 90s and early 00s) but true to the blue collar mindset, they get it done and capitalize when given the opportunity.

This rivalry will get back to that next level again when Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech are a top the ACC in the coming years. That was the goal when UM, VT and Boston College came over from the Big East.

Since joining the ACC, the 'big time' teams haven't lived up to the billing. Once you get the aforementioned teams in the top five, a la all the Big XII rivalries, I think you'll see this one garner more interest on the national level.

For now, it's Canes v. Hokies with a lot on the line and a modern-day rivalry kicking up thanks to former Big East and current ACC ties.

The same way Virginia Tech fans hate Miami, the feeling is mutual. The two programs are nothing alike and I know Canes fans don't care for the false bravado from a program that has had their number over the past decade, but still has nothing to show for it championship-wise.

There's that belief that Virginia Tech will always be 'little brother' until they get some hardware for their trophy case.

Virginia Tech-Miami Preview

Gobbler Country — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Virginia Tech at Miami

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
Place: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: ESPN

Last Meeting: The Hokies beat Miami, 44-14 in Blacksburg last season...Virginia Tech held Miami to 213 total yards, including minus-2 yards rushing...Branden Ore ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Trends: The Hokies have won four of their last five games against the Hurricanes...Miami has won its last four games...Tech has lost two consecutive road games...the Hokies have won their last two games at Miami.

What to Expect: The Hokies' aura of invincibility on the road is gone after back-to-back losses to BC and FSU. However, they looked good in beating Maryland last week.

The Hokie ground game looked great against an inferior defensive line, but still struggled getting into the end zone. It may have seemed like the Hokies put up 50 points on the Terps, but they were held to three field goals and scored 23 points.

The defense has been outstanding the last three games, but has been prone to giving up big plays. BC and FSU had big plays and special teams plays that led to wins over the Hokies.

The Terps had the big touchdown on the screen pass to Heyward-Bey and had a punt blocked. Miami has the speed and skill to take advantage of these mistakes.

The Hokies should be able to stop the run, but I think they're going to give up big plays through the air on special teams. Punt coverage has been atrocious for the Hokies and the Canes have been able to get big returns on punts.

Tech will be able to move the ball better than it did against BC, but not nearly as easy as it did against UMD. I expect Glennon to be the quarterback and him to have a much tougher time against Miami than UMD. The Canes will be able to get pressure. It's up to Glennon not to commit game-changing turnovers.

Hokies win if: They don't give up big plays and don't turn the ball over.

Canes win if: They keep the Hokies from getting pressure on the quarterback and force the Hokies into passing downs.

Dot-dot-dots

This is the Hokies' first game against Miami on Thursday...this is also their first trip to Dolphin Stadium as a visiting team against the Hurricanes...the Hokies are 0-2 at Dolphin Stadium with both losses coming in the Orange Bowl...the Hokies are 15-3 on ESPN Thursday Night games with all three losses coming to BC...Tech is 13-1 in ACC conference games played in November...Darren Evans is tied for the Virginia Tech record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman with nine...Dustin Keys has made two or more field goals in seven consecutive games...the Hokies have used the same five offensive linemen for all but two plays in the last five games.

Virginia Tech Sports That Aren't Football: Nov. 10

Gobbler Country — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:55:00 -0500

Women's Soccer Headed to NCAAs

Is it the women's team's turn? One year after the men's team made its run to the College Cup semifinals, the women's team enters the NCAA Tournament with a 10-8-4 record.

The Hokies will face BYU in the first round Friday in Los Angeles. The Hokies are 2-1-2 on neutral sites this season.

Volleyball Senior Night this Weekend

The volleyball team has been struggling recently. After starting 7-1 in ACC play, the Hokies have lost five of their last seven matches.

However, the Hokies get some home cooking this weekend against BC and Maryland. The Hokies swept both teams on the road earlier this year.

The ACC race is crowded, and the Hokies are two games out of first place. Four of their last five games are against teams in the bottom five of the conference. If they can run the table, maybe they have a shot at an ACC title or at making the NCAA Tournament.

Men's Basketball Starts

The Virginia Tech men's basketball team starts its season...wait, you mean Friday? Like this Friday? Wow, that sneaked up on me. Guess I should do a preview or something. Anyway, we play Gardner-Webb this Friday at the Cassell. Go and be loud.

Hopefully I'll get something up on the basketball team before then.

Men's Soccer Ends

The Hokies men's soccer team will end its season Tuesday in the ACC Tournament against NC State. The Hokies went 0-8 in the ACC one year after making the College Cup. The Hokies lost a lot of talent off last season's team, so hopefully this season was just a rebuilding year.

Still, 0-8? Jeez.

Hokie Hockey on Fire

Yes, it's a club team, but the Hokies have won nine consecutive games, including the Commonwealth Cup championship this weekend with wins over UVa and Richmond.

This week, they travel South to face ECU and NC State. Their next home games are Nov. 21 and 22 against Duke and Georgetown in Roanoke.

Week 12 ACC Handicapping

Gobbler Country — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Going into Week 12

The Standings

Atlantic

Wake Forest (6-3, 4-2)
Florida State (7-2, 4-2)
Maryland (6-3, 3-2)
Boston College (6-3, 2-3)
Clemson (4-5, 2-4)
NC State (3-6, 1-4)

Coastal

North Carolina (7-2, 3-2)
Miami (6-3, 3-2)
Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2)
Georgia Tech (7-3, 4-3)
Virginia (5-5, 3-3)
Duke (4-5, 1-4)

The Games

Week 12

Atlantic

Boston College at Florida State
Wake Forest at NC State

Coastal

Virginia Tech at Miami

Inter-Division

Duke at Clemson
North Carolina at Maryland

Non-Conference

None

Bye Week

GT, UVA

Week 13

Atlantic

Boston College at Wake Forest
Florida State at Maryland

Coastal

Miami at Georgia Tech
Duke at Virginia Tech

Inter-Division

Clemson at Virginia
NC State at North Carolina

Non-Conference

None

Bye Week

None

Week 14

Atlantic

Maryland at Boston College

Coastal

North Carolina at Duke
Virginia at Virginia Tech

Inter-Division

Miami at NC State

Non-Conference

Florida at Florida State
Georgia Tech at Georgia
South Carolina at Clemson
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest

Bye Week

None

The Teams

Division games in CAPS, Inter-Division games in lower case.

Atlantic

Wake Forest (4-2)

Wins: FSU, CU, du, uva
Losses: UMD, mia
Home: BC
Away: NCSU
Analysis: Can't lose another game...must beat BC and NCSU and have UMD lose again...has a solid defense, but will need better offensive production these last two weeks.

Florida State (4-2)

Wins: NCSU, CU, mia, vt
Losses: WF, gt
Home: BC
Away: UMD
Analysis: Needs to win out and have Wake lose a game...best offense among division contenders...have lost last two trips to College Park.

Maryland (3-2)

Wins: CU, WF, NCSU
Losses: uva, vt
Home: FSU, unc
Away: BC
Analysis: Jekyll and Hyde team of the ACC...all three remaining games are possible losses...already has tiebreak over Wake...goes to Tampa if they win out.

Boston College (2-3)

Wins: NCSU, vt
Losses: CU, gt, unc
Home: UMD
Away: FSU, WF
Analysis: Best defense in the conference...can win out and got to Tampa on tiebreaks...kicking game will cost them eventually.

Coastal

North Carolina (3-2)

Wins: MIA, GT, bc
Losses: VT, UVA
Home: ncsu
Away: DU, umd
Analysis: A MIA win over VT would help them exponentially...must finish with better record than both UVA and VT...has easiest remaining schedule among division contenders.

Miami (3-2)

Wins: UVA, DU, wf
Losses: UNC, fsu
Home: VT
Away: GT, ncsu
Analysis: Has won four consecutive games and is coming off a bye week...finishes season with two road games...VT game is almost an elimination game.

Virginia Tech (3-2)

Wins: GT, UNC, umd
Losses: bc, fsu
Home: DU, UVA
Away: MIA
Analysis: MIA game is almost an elimination game...finally found success on the ground, but faces a tough road game...finishes with two home games.

Virginia (3-3)

Wins: GT, UNC, umd
Losses: DU, MIA, wf
Home: cu
Away: VT
Analysis: Needs all other contenders to lose a game, but only plays VT the rest of the season...needs VT to beat MIA...four-game win streak ended at WF.

The Odds

Atlantic

Florida State: 5/2
Wake Forest: 5/2
Maryland: 10/1
Boston College: 10/1

Coastal

North Carolina: 3/1
Miami: 3/1
Virginia Tech: 10/3
Virginia: 20/1