ACC Week One Report Card: Virginia Tech

Based on popular opinion coming into Virginia Tech's nationally televised 2009 opener, things went pretty much as expected for the Hokies...at least as far as the outcome.

Alabama used a strong, dominant fourth quarter to defeat Virginia Tech 34-24 on Saturday night. Frank Beamer and company were certainly hoping for a different outcome, and expected to execute their gameplan better than they did.

Unfortunately for the Hokies, their team looked like a mirror image of last year's team or every team Tech has put on the field for the last four or five seasons: a team depending on a top tier defense, occasional big plays from the special teams, and a schizophrenic offense.

Saturday night, in the Georgia Dome, was no different.

Offense

Watching Virginia Tech's offense gives Hokie fans the same gut-wrenching, stomach-dropping feeling one would get if they showed up a minute late to the terminal of the last flight to Cancun for spring break. And, if you were to miss that last flight, or if you are Virginia Tech and your offense can't out-perform Idaho's during a full season (Virginia Tech ranked 103 last year in total offense, Idaho, 93), there's only one place to point the finger...right back at yourself.

The Hokies' offense was not forced into five three-and-outs against the Tide because Nick Saban is some sort of defensive genius, or because he's brought in back-to-back top five recruiting classes.

Don't get me wrong, I do think Saban is a great coach, and Bama's defense is one of the most talented in the country, but the blame resides within the Hokies' coaching staff. The Hokies may not have executed as well as they have been in practice, and maybe at times they were a step slow, but the coaching staff needs to be prepared and to coach to the team's strength.

When Virginia Tech has been most successful during the past decade, it's been because of a strong running game. There's no questioning that. Although Tech has been boasting about their strong wide receivers, even with the loss of Darren Evans, it can be argued that the Hokies still had more talent in the backfield in Taylor, Williams, and Wilson than at wide-out.

In Tech's first two drives, both resulting in three-and-outs, the Hokies ran gimmick plays, threw the ball on first down, and didn't hand the ball off between the tackles. Tech used to consistently lineup against opposing defenses and face them head on, running right at strong defensive lines.

No more. The Hokies seemed drastically afraid of Mount Cody, too scarred to do what they have always done best.

When Tech did run the ball, they performed well. Ryan Williams never lost yardage on a carry, and consistently picked up four-to-five yards.

Run the ball up the gut and take care of the rock used to be Tech's motto. Had they executed that game plan, handing off to Williams 25-to-30 times, I think the Hokies would've faired much better offensively. Williams was the sole bright spot for Tech, rushing for 71 yards on 13 carries. I wasn't a math major, but based on those stats if Williams had closer to 25 carries, he would've produced around 140 yards on the ground. Close to the same numbers Mark Ingram put up for the Tide.

Tech's problems go beyond the bad numbers, 144 total yards, 91 passing, 66 rushing, and two fumbles lost. The issues are with the plan, not the execution.

Offensive grade: D+

Defense/Special Teams

The Hokie's defense wasn't perfect either.

Bud Foster's boys gave up 498 total yards to the Tide.They've given up several long runs to Ingram and Roy Upchurch, and got beat deep by Bama receivers. Of course, they were on the field nearly twice as long as the offense.

I'm not going to spend near as much time critiquing the defensive effort as I did on the offense. Mainly, I don't think there's much to worry about their for the Hokie faithful. The effort was solid, and I'd base most of the long gains on fatigue, not on effort, execution, or game-plan.

Tech's special team's play, mainly great kickoff returns by Dyrell Roberts, was the highlight of the night. A muffed punt by Ryan Williams was costly, and I'm not sure how much more we'll see him back there, especially as he starts to see more work offensively.

Defensive/ST grade: B

Overall Grade: C

Final Comments

There is one man I believe deserves most of the blame for Tech's loss and Tech fans know who I'm talking about.

I know it's not completely fair, but Bryan Stinespring's play calling has been very frustrating for Tech. With all of the criticism out there, I think Stinespring did have a very tough job in preparing for the Alabama game.

Losing Darren Evans threw a major block in the road as far as Tech's plan. And, even after Evans' injury, the other tailbacks all suffered minor setbacks during fall camp.

So, Stinespring did have to plan as though there wouldn't be a proven, featured back available for the Bama game. I still think the offensive coordinator could have done a better job, and it just adds to the long list of poor Hokie offensive efforts in the past few seasons.

Frank Beamer and the offensive coordinator are best friends, Stinespring really is a great guy, and Beamer will never let him go. However, that could cost the Hokies their long sought after national championship, and I know one Tech coach that won't accept that.

I've stood face-to-face with Bud Foster. I've seen the intense fire burning in his eyes when he talks about how bad he wants to win a national title. I think he wants it more than Beamer, and I think he wants it bad enough to leave Virginia Tech, if that's what it takes.

I speak for ever single Hokie fan when I say, please Frank Beamer, Jim Weaver, (VT AD) don't let that happen. Don't let Tech's offensive identity issues destroy a shot at a national title.

Virginia Tech's next opponent: Marshall.