Va Tech - Thoughts and Ponderings

Draft Day

2006-05-01T10:30:00.000-04:00

Don't you think the Atlanta Falcons should start sending a stipend or some scholarship money to Va Tech since we have basically become a farm team for their draft picks......

ESPN.com - NCF - ACC team-by-team spring guide

2006-03-02T16:13:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - NCF - ACC team-by-team spring guide

Virginia Tech Hokies
â€¢ The Hokies open spring practice March 22 and finish with the spring game on April 15.

â€¢ After four years of stability on coach Frank Beamer's staff, there was a flurry of change this offseason. The most recent movement involves former NC State head coach Mike O'Cain, who replaced Kevin Rogers as the Hokies' quarterbacks coach in late February. Rogers took a job with the Minnesota Vikings. Curt Newsome was hired to coach Tech's tight ends and offensive tackles, replacing Danny Pearman, while former Wake Forest assistant Kevin Sherman will coach the team's receivers. Sherman takes over for Tony Ball, who left Blacksburg after eight seasons to take the running backs post at Georgia. O'Cain's first order of business will be to find a replacement for starting quarterback Marcus Vick, who was booted off the team in January.

ESPN.com - NCB - Va. Tech forward suspended for kicking Duke player

2006-01-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - NCB - Va. Tech forward suspended for kicking Duke player: "Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver suspended sophomore forward Deron Washington for Saturday's game at Wake Forest for kicking Duke's Lee Melchionni in the face during Thursday night's game."

Maybe moving to the ACC wasn't the best idea. It's like we've been corrupted by thug life. I don't want Va Tech to get that FSU/Miami reputation.....

Human Nature

2006-01-16T16:02:00.000-05:00

Isn't funny how some people only seem to want to talk about your favorite team after something bad has happened? There are those that relsih in the failure of others. I have had more people come to me and ask my what happened to Marcus like I was on the field or in the parking lot during his recent demise. Then, when I refuse to make excuses for him, they hope I will insult him, call him a punk, that sort of thing. He was once a Hokie and even though I refuse to make excuses for him since he has been kicked off the team, at the same time I refuse to spout disparaging remarks about him because he once was part of the family........

Excellent Article

2006-01-11T16:41:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - COLUMNIST - Wojciechowski: Two backs, two cautionary tales: "Common lives, plenty of questions for Vick, Clarett
Wojciechowski
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
Archive
click this

The convenient reaction is to call Marcus Vick and Maurice Clarett thugs. Or punks. Or ungrateful, numb-from-the-neck-up crazies who co-authored the book, 'How To Screw Up Your Life Before Your 23rd Birthday.'

They had everything. They have nothing. Cautionary tales, right?

Call it coincidence, fate, sad destiny … whatever … but Vick and Clarett have more in common than recent photo sessions with police mug shot cameras. They share a childhood, a confusion, a confluence of circumstances that should give you pause before dismissing them as knuckleheads who deserve whatever bed they've short-sheeted.

In 2002, both were college freshmen in their home states: Vick at Virginia Tech, where he was expected to continue the legacy established by his famous brother, Michael; Clarett at Ohio State, where the Buckeyes soon would name him the first true OSU freshman to start at running back since 1943. No pressure there.

Vick grew up in a part of Newport News, Va., that was harder than the back of your father's hand. Visitors drove through quickly and with their car doors locked. That explains why Michael later used some of his Nike and Atlanta Falcons money to buy his mother a brand-new house in upscale Suffolk.

Clarett lived with his two brothers and 11 cousins at his grandmother's house in a Youngstown, Ohio, 'neighborhood' -- if you can call a ghetto a neighborhood -- where the sound of gunshots was commonplace. He ate pork and beans for dinner, a couple of folded slices of bologna (no bread) for lunch. By the time he enrolled at Ohio State, Clarett had attended the funerals of 10 friends, seen two people shot and killed in front of his grandma's house, and served three stints in a juvenile detention center.

I still have the blue no"

Here we go. . . . .

2006-01-06T09:59:00.000-05:00

NCAA Football - CBS SportsLine.com

Virginia Tech will suspend quarterback Marcus Vick for an undetermined number of games next season if he returns to school, two sources within the athletic department, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Newport News Daily Press.

2006-01-05T16:06:00.000-05:00

It's a sign of the times when you can look at an 11-2 season and be slightly disappointed. With that said, I sincerely want to thank the Hokies football team for a great season.

Wouldn't it be a sad career note if the Marcus Vick stomping incident caused a penalty harsh enough for Marcus to consider the NFL draft early......?

Bitterness in the bowl win

2006-01-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

Virginia Tech Hokies, NCAA Football - CBS SportsLine.com

Vick stepped on Dumervil's calf after the defensive end tackled the Hokies' junior quarterback. After the play, Vick seemed to pause before walking across Dumervil's leg.

I saw him do this and I knew we wouldn't be hearing the end of that.

Bittersweet Bowl Victory

2006-01-02T16:43:00.000-05:00

I must admit that I was unable to get excited for this bowl game. In fact, I was unable to yell or carry on like I normally would until midway through the 2nd quarter or so. I was, no, am still feeling the ill affects of our previous trip to Jacksonville.

With that said, the Hokies did show some heart in the second half. Some heart and some pride! I still question some of our offensive playcalling but whatever is whatever after a victory....

ESPN.com - NCB - Virginia Tech 59, Stanford 52

2005-12-19T15:43:00.000-05:00

ESPN.com - NCB - Virginia Tech 59, Stanford 52

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Virginia Tech's Coleman Collins had 16 points and Jamon Gordon added 12 points Saturday night as the Hokies overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Stanford 59-52 in the nightcap of the Las Vegas Showdown."

Told ya

2005-12-14T12:43:00.000-05:00

Consider the season tainted. I said two weeks ago that I didn't like the hype up before the game. How it felt like another Miami setup. It's taken me two weeks to come back here and say anything and still I get that bit of bile in the back of my throat.

Quite honestly, the Gator Bowl is a disappointment. No disrespect to Louisville, who may very well catch us with our pants around our ankles, but this season I was looking for at least, at least BCS game. I'm trying to muster some anticipation, some excitement but I find myself looking up Va Tech Bball scores just to avoid reading about another late season collapse (although that is somewhat harsh given the collapses of previous years which were true collapses).

My Problem With ACC Conference Championship Game

Personally, and this is not meant to be an excuse, I don't think the ACC Championship game should be in the state of Florida. There is no way in hell they can consider that mutual. It should be in Tennessee or Kentucky or even Washington D.C. (which is still a 4 hour trip for Hokies fans, not that it matters since our fans travel everywhere pretty well). But having the game in Florida is like telling FSU or Miami that they are playing in their backyard.

Divisions should be used for scheduling only. Instead of having Division winners meet in the Conference championship game, have the two best conference records meet. Hell, Va Tech's conference record is STILL better than FSU's even with the loss. This game cost Va Tech millions, and I truly think the outcome was one of those 2 out of times type of things. If these two teams played a season's worth of games against each other, I feel Va Tech would walk away from that 8 - 3.

Lastly, change the ACC's bowl affiliation if you're going to keep the championship game in Jacksonville. There's a pretty good chance that the team losing the ACC championship game will end up right back in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl. The bowl games are meant to be a reward to these kids....go somewhere you've never been, see new things, these kids were here a month ago and didn't enjoy it then.....

Eery

2005-12-01T16:19:00.000-05:00

This week's game against FSU is starting to feel ominously like the Miami game. Every one saying it should be a blowout...everyone chalking it up....playing on a dreaded Saturday night! Hokies have to keep their heads on in this one. It's another fast defense and we've gotta be ready for it. A loss in this game would seriously taint the season.....

Florida State Seminoles, NCAA Football, Virginia Tech Hokies - CBS SportsLine.com

2005-12-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

Florida State Seminoles, NCAA Football, Virginia Tech Hokies - CBS SportsLine.com: "The quarterback for fifth-ranked Virginia Tech figures to be severely tested by Florida State in the ACC championship game Saturday night. A heavy pass rush is anticipated, and Vick has strict orders to get rid of the ball."

ESPN.com - NCF - Gilmore: Is USC really No. 1?

2005-10-13T13:22:00.000-04:00

ESPN.com - NCF - Gilmore: Is USC really No. 1?: "At the midpoint of the college football season, it's always a good idea to step back and re-examine our perspective on things. For me, one of the top topics is USC. Has USC established itself as the best team during the first half of the season? I don't think so. In my opinion, Virginia Tech and Texas have outplayed USC in the first half.

USC certainly deserved to start the season as the No. 1 team after routing Oklahoma 55-19 in last season's BCS championship game to win its second consecutive title. The Trojans have a win streak of 27 games, which includes season opening blowouts over Hawaii and Arkansas. Immediately, the comparisons started: is USC the greatest team ever, with the greatest player ever (Matt Leinart)? However, USC has struggled in conference play the last three weeks while Virginia Tech and Texas have recorded impressive wins on their way to undefeated records. Are we blinded by the bling-bling of Reggie Bush, Matt Leinert, LenDale White and the Trojans pursuit of a third straight title?

If you simply look at performance during the first half of the season, Texas and Virginia Tech have had more impressive first halves than USC. Texas had a big road win against a top 10 Ohio State team and dominant wins over Missouri (on the road) and nemesis Oklahoma. Virginia Tech had impressive road wins over solid NC State and West Virginia teams and also blew out everyone else (including a good Georgia Tech team). In short, Texas and Virginia Tech have met the bar set for them as title contenders."

The BCS Blundering coming

2005-10-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

Texas Longhorns, NCAA Football - CBS SportsLine.com: "Not only is Texas No. 3 in the BCS standings behind Virginia Tech (source: collegebcs.com), it will probably debut that way when the first official BCS ratings come out on Monday. This is news because any human poll you want to use has the Longhorns as the country's consensus No. 2."

No posts

2005-10-07T12:11:00.000-04:00

I have been pretty bad at keeping the blogs updated. I don't have an excuse for it, just not enough or being lazy....

In any case, Va Tech is looking really good this year. They are finding ways to snatch the momentum from any team they face at critical junctures in the game. A blocked field goal against Ga Tech to a recovered punt return fumble against WVA, things definitely seem to be going the Hokies way.

This week, we're up against Marshall. This should be a pretty easy win for the Hokies but I don't want to look past anyone. The thundering herd has had their fair share of upsets and we're not looking to become one of them.....

Nike Air Blacksburg Michael Vick, Nike Air Blacksburg Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons

2005-09-08T10:31:00.000-04:00

That there is clout....when you can get Nike to name a shoe after THE TOWN that your college is in....that's clout....

ESPN.com - NCF/PREVIEW05 - Pat Forde: The second coming

2005-08-19T09:53:00.000-04:00

ESPN.com - NCF/PREVIEW05 - Pat Forde: The second coming: "Humbled Vick ready to take over Hokies
By Pat Forde
ESPN.com

If Marcus Vick's offensive line protects him the way the Virginia Tech hierarchy has this preseason, they won't have to wash the quarterback's jersey once all year.

Nobody will lay a hand on him.

Tech did not take its prodigal QB to ACC media days in Hot Springs, Va. When media members inquired at that event about the possibility of a short jaunt to Blacksburg to talk to Vick, they were given the David Spade Capital One response: no, nyet, nein, nunca, saint happenin'. Since fall camp started, Vick's availability has been limited to twice-weekly group interviews, with Tech personnel present. There have been no one-on-one interviews. And those planning to be part of the group interviews are given a preemptive warning that the junior is not very receptive to questions about 'the past.'"

USATODAY.com - Prodigal son returns home

2005-08-19T09:39:00.000-04:00

USATODAY.com - Prodigal son returns home: "Prodigal son returns home
By Erik Brady, USA TODAY
BLACKSBURG, Va. — When Marcus Vick and his friends play Madden, the NFL video game, they follow one house rule: No one gets to be Michael Vick.
Marcus Vick spent time with older brother Michael during his suspension last year. 'I wanted to spend time with him and, you know, get his mind right,' Michael says.
By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY

'He's too good,' Marcus says.

No such rule follows Marcus in real life, where he is expected to be his big brother, or at least a right-handed mirror image, each time he takes the football field.

Marcus Vick will lead Virginia Tech in its Sept. 4 opener at North Carolina State on ESPN2. It will be his first start as quarterback at Tech, where his brother memorably made his name on his way to video-game fame.

Hokies fans expected to see Vick's debut as a starter long ago. But he missed all of last season due to a school-imposed suspension following a pair of criminal cases.

'I was young,' says Vick, 21. 'I made a lot of crucial mistakes.'"

Not Exactly Related

2005-08-03T11:19:00.000-04:00

Found this on the MaddenNation.com website in reference to Auburn fans complaining about not being named National Champions.

It's a photoshop based on NCAA Football 2006 but it is hilarious.

Funny stuff

2005-07-14T13:27:00.000-04:00

At College Football News.com they have their ACC conference preview. They have Va Tech finishing 2nd in the Coastal division behind Miami. THey also have the Hokies ranked 10th in their preseason rankings. Alas, in their quick summary, they predict (though not boldly, more riding the fence with 'if this' and 'if that's) Va Tech winning the ACC. Hmm. In order to win the ACC they would have to be ahead of Miami....especially with this whole championship game stuff.....

Offseason Top 25 --- Hokies #6

2005-07-09T19:07:00.000-04:00

Here is CBS sportsline's offseason top 25. Hokies get to number 6...not bad. Every 'expert' is saying are most crucial game is the Sept 4th matchup against N.C. State...the only team to beat us in conference play last year. It's gotten to the point where I'm a little worried about the game. But for the record, the Hokies missed a game winning field goal and our offensive line was atrocious that game. Not to mention all of their points came from our mistakes....I don't see that happening again....

Hokies NFL Draft Class

2005-04-14T11:26:00.000-04:00

According to SI.com, here are the former Hokies that should go in next week's NFL draft:

Virginia Tech
Rank Player Position Team Round Pick Grade
1 Eric Green CB 3.83
2 Jim Davis DE 3.77
3 Jon Dunn OT 3.53
4 Vincent Fuller S 3.48
5 Bryan Randall QB 3.20
6 Kevin Lewis DT 3.13
7 Mikal Baaqee OLB 3.12
8 James Miller OG 3.05

Weak???

2005-01-24T16:54:00.000-05:00

Is this what a weak basketball school does to the national title runner up???

Basketball

2005-01-20T11:27:00.000-05:00

Well, football season has come to a close. I am going to try to keep informed concerning Hokies basketball but I've honestly never paid much attention to it.

The Hokies will head into Saturday's meeting with the highly ranked YellowJackets with a two game ACC win streak. Oddly enough, we are doing pretty decent in the ACC when compared against predictions. Maybe there's a bit of a chip on our collective shoulders after being shunned for so many years!!!

The Lady Hokies are currently ranked 23rd in the nation!

VT Basketball

2005-01-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Tech logged it's first ACC victory with a 59 -57 win over Clemson this past weekend. The Hokies travel to the ATL to take on the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. Heavily favored are the Yellowjackets but there's a reason they play the game!!

Marcus Vick Back in School

2005-01-19T10:41:00.000-05:00

Vick, not Mike, but he unproven brother Marcus, is back in school. After some drinking and smoking, he's back after a suspension from the university. My sources have told me that he would have taken the starter spot away from Bryan Randall based on last year's spring game had the charges not removed him from the equation.

Personally, I have not been sold on the younger Vick. Granted, the times he has played it was in a two quarterback system which in my opinion will make good quarterbacks very mediocre. But his accuracy was worse than Randall's, and his decision making didn't even compare (true there is a huge maturity difference). Hopefully, with Vick being the starter for all intents and purposes, he can continue the phenomenal job the Hokies have started in the ACC.

Damn Great Season

2005-01-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

I guess the sting is starting to wear off now. The Hokies fell short in the Sugar Bowl falling 16 - 13 to Auburn. In a game where it seemed like the Hokies biggest enemy was themselves, it's heartbreaking thinking of what could have been. One thing is for certain, Auburn was in the right bowl. Even when they were up 16 - 0, they weren't dominating the game.

The Hokies have achieved more than anyone in the country thought they would this season. 10 -3, ACC Champions. Two of their three losses came against the #1 and the #2 teams in the country and neither was a blowout. In fact, there were chances for both games to be won as well as a chance for the loss to NC State to be won. The Hokies were not far from a 13 - 0 season.....Unranked to begin the season, top 10 to finish....I can't complain.....

Sugar Bowl Baby

2005-01-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

Auburn has been favored to win tonite's game in every report I've read. Va Tech can't say they are being disrespected though since most of these 'experts' have it between a 5 to 10 point victory for Auburn. I think otherwise.

I think the Hokies, nay, I know the Hokies will prevail.

Sugar Bowl Preview

2004-12-14T12:47:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I have been on a honeymoon and unavailable for comment (like I'm a celebrity or something!)...now I'm behind at work so here is a preview for you from CBS sportsline.

ACC CHAMPIONS

2004-12-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

Doubted by all, written off by many. We did what they said couldn't be done and we did it during a rebuilding year no less. Words cannot express the joy this championship brings. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Atlantic Coast Conference Champions!

Saturday's Win

2004-11-30T14:22:00.000-05:00

One down, one to go. Words can't express how excited, then nervous, then worried, then hopeful, then excited, then downright giddy I was Saturday afternoon as the Hokies beat the UVA Cavaliers 24 - 10 after a scoreless first half.

Bryan Randall had another good game. Doing what he has for most of his career at Va Tech. Running the ball when he has to (and usually for a first down or more), safe passes. It's like he's not trying to make the highlight, he's just trying to lead the team. Our running game was a little less than impressive but it was nice knowing that the passing game was available when the running broke down. Slow start but fantastic finish.

Next up: Miami. The game that will define our freshman year in the ACC. Ironic that the two new members to the conference will be determining this year's conference champion. . . . .

Interesting facts about this series:

Before last year's 31 - 7 VaTech victory, Miami had triumphed over the Hokies for three straight years

Before Miami's three year reign over the Hokies, the Hokies dominated the Hurricanes for five straight years

VT Basketball Season

2004-11-23T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Hokies basketball season got started last Friday night with a 81 - 58 thumping of Maryland....oops, I meant Loyola of Maryland....you know what I mean. Three players were in double figures as Va Tech easily neutered the Greyhounds. Leading scorer Carlos Dixon had 21, followed by Deron Washington with 20 and Coleman Collins with 11. Next up is Maryland Eastern Shore tonite. Eastern Shore is coming off an embarrasing 83 - 42 loss to Fresno State.

The final Stretch

2004-11-22T10:04:00.000-05:00

Well Hokies fans, we have reached that point in the season. Does anyone remember what the 'pundit's' were saying about the Hokies when this season started? We were the other team joining the ACC. We were expected to finish 5th or 6th in the conference. It was supposed to be a down year for the Fighting Gobblers.

Now is the time to define what has already been a great, if not nerve wracking at times, season. With wins in our final two games, the Hokies can claim the ACC title. This achievement is something that has been 50 plus years in the making as the Hokies have been snubbed by the ACC on more than one occasion since the old Southern Conference disbanded. How fitting would an ACC championship in the first year be?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. We still have what will be the two toughest games on our schedule left (and that includes the fallacy that was the USC game): Virginia in Blacksburg, followed by Miami in Coral Gables.

Beating Virginia is going to come down to stopping their triple threat running game. Peariman and Lundy are both great backs that are capable of making huge plays anytime they touch the ball. Hagans is a threat to run from the quarterback position should no one be open. If the Hokies can jump on them early and force them to pass moreso than run, then the defense can get a little more opportunistic in its blitz packages and hopefully cause some turnovers.

Offensively, Mike Imoh has got to be ready to play after tweaking his hamstring early against Maryland. If not, the Hokies will still need Humes or Hamilton to step up out of the backfield. If Randall plays as well as he as the past few games, the passing game (particularly to the tight ends) should do it's job.

Hokies 24, Cavaliers 14

Beautiful Picture

2004-11-19T16:25:00.000-05:00

A picture this beautiful probably has some copyright action going on so I'll just post the link here.

Wow, That Was Fun!

2004-11-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

55 - 6. Going into the quarter up 55 - 3, I started having fantasies of a 70 point victory. Don't get it twisted, I didn't want to keep the starters in there for that....oh no, I wanted the backups to come and eat a little bit off the plate.

I know in my last post I mentioned wanting some kind of test as a gauge. Well, to put this in perspective, Virginia beat Maryland in Charlottesville 16 - 0.....using my sketchy athletic algebra, Va Tech should beat Virginia. But let's not look ahead.

My condolences go out to Coach Beamer and his family in regards to the death of his mother.

Tonite

2004-11-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

Maryland.

This is a game that the Hokies should control from kickoff to final horn. Based on the games they have already played, our defense should be able to dominate their offense. Plus a Thursday night game in Blacksburg means a more electrical atmosphere than usual.

I'm hoping for a blowout but at the same time I don't want a game that is too easy seeing as we had a bye last week and we'll have 9 days after this game to our revenge game against UVA. Tech 31, Maryland 10.

Bye Week

2004-11-09T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Hokies are off this weekend after winning a good game at upset minded North Carolina. One disturbing trend I saw in that game happened at least twice on third and 4 or 5 yards. We go with an all out blitz leaving our secondary in one on one situations which I don't mind. THe part that bothers me is that the secondary didn't play up tight and do a little bump and run to give the blitz time to get to the quarterback. So the QB ends up lofting it high and long and the UNC wide receivers just outrun the secondary to the ball and a touchdown. THis happened twice that I know of. Other than that the 27 -24 win was fun to watch especially if you're a running fan in that first half. UNC's RB was averging 11 yards a carry at one point in the second quarter while Imoh was at over 8 yards a carry. Luckily for the Hokies, the defense tightened up in that second half against the run. The final score should have definitely been by a larger margin but special teams (particularly the punt team - 2nd time they've given up points this year) mistakes and a sudden move away from the running game once we had a 13 point lead allowed UNC to make this game closer than it should have been.

Format Change

2004-11-08T09:01:00.000-05:00

I've decided that every now and again I will talk college football in general. The focus will still be mainly on the Fighting Gobblers of Virginia Tech but when there's an issue that I need conversate on then it will happen here or on Xpinionated.

Miami Loses!!

2004-10-31T01:26:00.000-05:00

Picture this, Virginia Tech runs the table for the rest of the season and they have won the ACC. With Miami's loss today, Va Tech controls it's own fate.

But winning out is not going to be a simple task by any means. Before Saturday's games, I would have said the easiest game would be in Chapel Hill next week. But with UNC's upset victory over Miami, even that game cannot be overlooked. The Hokies finish their season (their 12 game season by the way) against the aforementioned UNC in Chapel Hill, Maryland in Blacksburg on Thursday night, Virginia on Thanksgiving weekend in Blacksburg, and finish up with a trip to Miami for the season finale quite possibly with the conference title and guaranteed BCS bowl bid on the line.

On a tangent, Va Tech could arguably be undefeated if it weren't for two plays. It's not often you can look at two plays so distinctly and argue that the season could have been changed so dramatically.

1) The absolutely horrible offensive pass interference call in the first game against USC. Hokies up 10 - 7 and the field position (and momentum) change dramatically for the worse.
2) The missed field goal against N.C. State that would have been the game winner (although it never should have come down to a winning field goal attempt if the punter doesn't just drop the ball in the third quarter).

Let's hope that Frank Beamer can get this team to do the unexpected in what was supposed to be a 'down' year for the Hokies. And let's really hope that his playcalling changes offensively....more on that later.....

2004-10-30T13:38:00.000-04:00

Final Score 34 - 20

2004-10-30T12:54:00.000-04:00

GT fans are slowly coming to the realization that the real 'Tech' doesn't reside in Georgia....

2004-10-30T12:51:00.000-04:00

Not looking good at halftime...but ya gotta keep the faith....

2004-10-30T12:48:00.000-04:00

Hokie Nation loud and proud. There was also a pretty solid section of Hokies fan sitting where the visiting band would sit.

2004-10-30T12:44:00.000-04:00

Va Tech's first play from scrimmage after a squib\onside kick attempt. Ga Tech kicked squib kicks for the entire first half so I'm not really sure if the opening kickoff was intended as an onside kick or what.

2004-10-30T12:38:00.000-04:00

Here come the HOKIES!!!!

2004-10-30T12:36:00.000-04:00

Stretching it out....

2004-10-30T12:35:00.000-04:00

The scoreboard about an hour before the game. We got there a little early since we both work downtown. I wanted to find a local watering hole so I could tweak my sobriety but to no avail. Ended up with coke, smoked sausage and cotton candy....

What A Game!!!

2004-10-29T10:51:00.000-04:00

I'm still flowing off adrenaline right now. That was an amazing game. The Hokies played with my emotion for nearly 4 hours last night on their way to a 34 - 20 win over a game Georgia Tech team. The story in this one is the Virginia Tech passing game!

Wait, did I just say passing game? In the same sentence with Virginia Tech? 305 yards worth of 'Yes I did'. Against a very good GT defense, the Hokies amassed 445 yards of offense.

Further analysis and pictures will appear throughout the weekend as I gather my thoughts....everything is still racing right now!

Thursday Night!!

2004-10-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

Yours truly will be in attendance as the Hokies meet Ga Tech at Bobby Dodd stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN's Thursday night football. I can't wait...I don't even know if my seats are particularly good but I will be trying to bring the feel of the game to the website (provided I bring my camera which I have a horrible habit of forgetting for key events).

This game scares me a little bit. It seems as if the Yellow Jackets are up again down again and that always makes them a dangerous team. Add to that, a national TV audience on a Thursday night and anything is possible.

But what scares me most is this is the time of the year the Hokies tend to struggle most, at least in years past. Granted most of that was due to a sudden uptick in level of competition but it still is a cause for concern for me.

My Prediction: Va Tech will continue with the ball control offense hopefully getting big games out of Imoh and Randall. The X-factor in this game may be the Hokies ability to contain this Ga Tech offense. They haven't exploded yet andlet's hope that is still the case come Friday morning. Hokies 27, Ga Tech 14.

ACC Divisions Announced

2004-10-20T15:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the ACC announced it's football divisions for 2005-2006. Surprisingly, the divisions are called the Atlantic and the Coastal....whole lot of originality there! Below is the breakdown of the divisions:

Atlantic

Maryland
Clemson
NC State
Wake Forest
Boston College
Florida State

Coastal

Virginia Tech
Miami
Virginia
Duke
North Carolina
Georgia Tech

As a Hokie, you gotta love this division. You get to play UVA and Miami every year so your rivalries continue without the blasphemy of playing every other year. Plus, you get Duke!!!! Nothing says victory like Duke Football!

Vick Suspension - Good For the Hokies

2004-10-18T18:56:00.000-04:00

Often times, living in die hard SEC country, I am looked at as an anomaly when my local sports bar patrons discover that I am a Virginia Tech fan and alumni. Immediately after finding out, I am asked one of two questions: 1) What is a Hokie; and 2) What do ya think of Vick's brother?

Well as we all know a Hokie is a fighting gobbler which is a stronger, meaner, nastier version of a turkey. But you will never eat a Hokie on Thanksgiving, keep that in mind!

As far as Marcus Vick (some folks here in Ga don't even know his first name, he's just Vick's brother), I personally am ecstatic that he was suspended for the year. I'm not happy about the reasons he was suspended but I am rather pleased that his suspension has and will continue to have on the Hokies.

Last year, there were several games that I think we lost due to Beamer going with a two quarterback system. That does not work. It never has and more than likely never will. There were multiple times where Bryan Randall was playing a pretty good game, the Hokies were in control, and then Beamer mysteriously decides to put Vick in. The result? Rhythm is thrown off, and Mr. Momentum changes his address.

With this being Randall's senior year (in football, he's actually a graduate student academically), it is only appropriate that he get to play the game outside of a 'Vick' shadow. Coming to Tech, he was the one after Mike Vick. Then, he has to fight to keep his job from Marcus Vick. A lot of folks don't realize how good of a quarterback Bryan Randall is. His numbers don't astound you from game to game but he makes plays and he leads the team. Not to mention he is closing in on quite a few records at Va tech for the quarterback position.

Hopefully, for Marcus Vick this will be the learning experience necessary for him to get his head out of his hind parts and realize the fortunate situation he has in front of him. Next year, he can come to spring training and compete for the starting qb job....and I do want to see a competition. I don't want the job just handed to him. We have two true freshman qb's backing up Bryan Randall now that are probably getting quite a lesson from watching Randall. Best performer should get the job. Maybe, Marcus can come back and be the quarterback that he was hyped to be upon returning to the team.

Va Tech Makes the Rankings

2004-10-18T17:46:00.000-04:00

After what has been a rather impressive 'rebuilding' year for the Hokies, we have finally cracked the Top 25. We are also ranked number 25 in the BCS, though in years past I thought the BCS only ranked the top 15. Oddly enough, UAB is ranked 24th. I can honestly say I have no idea who UAB has played but I don't remember them having a particularly tough schedule before. Quacky computers.