Tough Games Mean Tough Times

How often do we have to tee up a contest versus our old Big East Rivals “The U” before the media counts it as a rivalry. The first big contest that got national attention was the 1980 Peach Bowl when Bill Dooley’s Hokies managed to not get obliterated by Jim Kelly and the Hurricanes. It’s been a full on feud since then. It just rarely gets the national attention, but we know the truth, and Miami is coming to Blacksburg with a star transfer dual threat Quarterback (our nightmare) and some defensive issues. Miami’s been winning by putting the pedal to the metal and scoring points. The wise guys have given us a 2.5 (others are at around 1.5) point advantage, and it would truly be interesting to see what sort of adult beverages they’ve been consuming to come up with that number.

Weather Conditions Expected for the Noon Kick

Weather Underground is predicting that it’ll be partly cloudy with the temps hovering in the low to mid 50s for most of the game. There is no wind of any consequence expected so the conditions for the passing game on both sides will be good. The field should be in good shape, but the last few days of very heavy rains might make it a bit mushy if the sun isn’t really working its magic.

Remembering Shared Stars and Tragedies

50 years ago, the Marshall football team was lost in a tragic airplane accident. We’ve all seen the movie “We are Marshall” and I often get questions as to why Virginia Tech people, of a certain age, watch the movie and remember as if it were personal. Well the head coach and defensive backs coach were famous Virginia Tech football players. The Marshall HC was Rick Tolley, and the Defensive Backs Coach was Dan Loria. The loss made the relationship between the two programs intimate. So, each time we take on the Thundering Herd, it means something special. Check out the Hokies Sports Article if you want the big details.

SIR! THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY IS MAROON HELMETS, JERSEYS, AND WHITE PANTS WITH WHITE SHOES! SIR!

At least that’s what I think this cryptic tweet means. No big mpg or anything just for pics.

Maybe less brag and more determination cancelled out any strutting.

The Number 25 has been Awarded

Jerrod Hewitt plays Special Teams, and looks like he pushed hard this week. So we have another Nose Tackle wearing #25. I think Tim Settle was the first.

So, Then, Let’s Talk Turkey

Now for the Hard Part

John Goes Out on a Limb - and Then Thinks Better of It

This might be the most depressing and difficult poll that I have done this year. I give us a 35-40% chance to win, but to do it the Offense has to be perfect and the defense needs to be effective at slowing Miami down and getting critical stops. Unless some sort of defensive miracle occurs, I really don’t think that Tech can win with a ball control type game. Tech is going to have to score, big, and often. In short, it’s going to take near perfection, scoring TDs on nearly every drive; and I just don’t see that Tech can pull that off. We have too many failed or stalled drives and Miami is unlikely to.

42 - 31 Miami

I need to be truthful on this one. The Hokie O is getting really good performance wise, the scheme isn’t working, and the Defense is struggling. We can always hope, be realistic, and then pleasantly surprised.

GO HOKIES!!!