Virginia Tech-Miami in-game blog
Sun Life Stadium at 7:21 p.m. -- 10 minutes before kickoff.
I wrote about how those things might be beneficial long-term, provided the Hokies are willing to take a clear-eyed look in the mirror. There are cracks in the foundation — particularly special teams and the power running attack — that must be addressed, and yes, that includes considering staff changes to improve the results. (Update: column now posted here.)
A few quotes from Beamer:
“For whatever reason, we’re having trouble putting it together. When you play a team game, everybody’s got to be together. We’re a little bit off here and a little bit off there, and the end result is you don’t do things to win a football game.”
“We just didn’t produce points. Again, we had how many, 400-something yards [421], but points is the name of the game. And turning the ball over in the red zone twice? That’s what I’m talking about, execution. Defensively we gave up a couple of long plays. Execution. We get a punt blocked, a guy bobbles the ball, and get a punt blocked. Execution. Kickoff coverage — we got a guy that that gets out of position and all of a sudden it pops on us. Execution. And again, for this football team, it hurts because we’re so close, and you take four or five plays and all of a sudden that gets the game going the other way.”
“All of us here — coaches, players, everyone — could’ve done some things better.”
On Logan: “I think he’s kind of like the rest of the team. I thought he played tough as heck and put in the efffort and had three plays he’d like to have back. And that could probably be said by just about everybody on our football team. You don’t get them back, though. You’ve got to make them when you have the chance.”
“I think the greatest thing you can play for, when it’s all said and done, is pride. When it looks tough, you really see what people are made out of, and things are really tough right now.”
“I’ve always said there’s a thin line between being OK and not OK. I think sometimes you just assume you should win 10 games and that should happen. But it doesn’t just happen.”
“There’s no question we’d like to run the ball better. There’s no question about that. But we’ve said that for a long time, too.”
On special teams: “We spend a lot of time on that, but it’s pretty simple: The punters catch the ball, and you kick it. When you’ve got a lane in a kickoff coverage, you stay in that lane. It’s pretty simple, and we spend a lot of time on that. You just execute.”
So here’s the deal moving forward: Tech (4-5, 2-3 ACC) has to win two of its final three games to qualify for a bowl game. Florida State comes to Blacksburg next Thursday. If the Hokies lose that one, they’ll have to win at BC and at home against Virginia, both of which are in last place in their respective divisions.
Miami, at 4-2 in the league, is your likely Coastal rep. The Hurricanes’ final two conference games are at Virginia and at Duke.
That’s it for tonight. As always, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
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Final: Miami 30, Virginia Tech 12. Back with more later.
THIRD QUARTER: Hokies have the ball near midfield, still trailing this one 20-12. The scoring came to a halt but there were opportunities for Tech.
A second red zone turnover by Thomas, this one a fumble inside the 5, derailed the best chance for Tech. Miami averaged 1 foot per play in the period and punted on all four of its possessions.
SECOND QUARTER: The Hokies kick a 20-yard field goal as the half ends to cut the deficit to 20-12. Red zone woes, porous defense and special teams gaffes have been the story thus far, but there are points to be had for both teams in the second half.
Beamer gave the officials an earful before heading to the locker room. Appeared he called timeout during the last drive and wasn’t granted one, which cost Tech valuable seconds and perhaps at least one more shot at the end zone.
Tech is averaging 6.4 yards per offensive snap, which is good, but the Hurricanes are averaging 8.8. Tech’s defense allowed back-to-back passing plays of over 25 yards on Miami’s last scoring drive; on the scoring drive before that, the Hokies allowed a 65-yard run by Duke Johnson. Tackling has been an issue again.
Thomas has 120 of Tech’s 162 rushing yards. That’s already a career-high for him, and it was juiced by his 73-yard touchdown run early in the quarter.
So much for the paring down of the running backs. Coleman has three carries, Holmes six, Gregory four. Scales has yet to get a tote.
The Hokies are on pace for 564 yards of offense but they must do a better job of cashing in on scoring opportunities. When the field shrinks, they just don’t have the muscle to line up and run over anybody — even a Miami team that ranks 119th out of 120 FBS teams in rushing defense.
Only one turnover so far — Thomas’ interception in the first quarter.
With Demetri Knowles leading the way, the Hokies have averaged 34.3 yards on four kickoff returns. Miami (as mentioned earlier) got 81 on its only return and will get the ball to start the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: The period ends with Miami leading 14-3, and the Hurricanes haven’t had to work hard for it.
Twice, they’ve scored touchdowns on two-play drives. Twice, they were set up by special teams gaffes — a blocked punt before the first touchdown and an 81-yard kickoff return by Duke Johnson before the second one.
Tech has moved the ball between the 20s but has stalled twice in the red zone. Logan Thomas threw an interception to thwart the Hokies’ promising first drive, underthrowing a sideline pass to an open fullback. Tech later marched to the 5-yard line, but Michael Holmes got stuffed for a loss of 2 on first down and Tech wound up settling for a field goal.
You’ve got to be able to run the ball against this Miami defense, even if the Hurricanes know it’s coming. Hasn’t happened yet for Tech in those spots.
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
UM–Hurns 16 pass from Morris (Wieclaw kick), 8:33. Drive: Two plays, 16 yards, :11. Key play: Swasey returns blocked put to VT 16. Miami 7, Virginia Tech 0.
VT—FG Journell 22, 2:14. Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 6:19. Key play: Knowles 51 kickoff return to UM 49. Miami 7, Virginia Tech 3.
VT—James 16 pass from Morris (Wieclaw kick), 1:15. Drive: Two plays, 19 yards, :59. Key play: Johnson 81 kickoff return to VT 19. Miami 14, Virginia Tech 3.
SECOND QUARTER
VT—Thomas 73 run (kick failed), 10:39. Drive: Six plays, 93 yards, 2:29. Miami 14, Virginia Tech 9.
UM—FG Wieclaw 22, 9:08. Drive: Five plays, 70 yards, 1:31. Key play: Johnson 65 run to VT 10. Miami 17, Virginia Tech 9.
UM—FG Wieclaw 31, 3:28. Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 4:02. Key play: Watford 30 pass from Morris to VT 41. Miami 20, Virginia Tech 9.
VT—FG Journell 20, :00. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 3:28. Key play: Coleman 10 run plus 15 personal foul penalty to UM 25. Miami 20, Virginia Tech 12.
FOURTH QUARTER
UM—Johnson 7 run (Wieclaw kick), 7:38. Drive: Eight plays, 69 yards, 3:52. Key play: Scott 26 pass from Morris to VT 45. Miami 27, Virginia Tech 12.
UM—Wieclaw FG 37, 2:54. Drive: Eight plays, 44 yards, 3:24. Key play: Johnson 21 run to VT 35. Miami 30, Virginia Tech 12.
DEFENSE
SOLO/ASSISTS/SACKS
Virginia Tech, Tyler 4-4-0, Jarrett 4-1-0, Nicolas 4-0-0, Fuller 3-1-0, Bonner 3-1-0, Taylor 2-0-0, Vandyke 2-0-0, Wilson 2-0-0, Harley 1-1-0, Collins 1-1-0, Exum 1-1-0, Cole 1-0-0, Tweedy 1-0-0, Hopkins 1-0-0, Riley 1-0-0, Scales 1-0-0, McCray 1-0-0, Marshall 1-0-0, Hopkins 1-0-0, Malleck 1-0-0, Phillips 1-0-0, Gayle 1-0-0, Totals 38-10-0.
Miami, Johnson 6-5-0, Paul 8-0-0, Green 4-3-0, Gaines 4-3-0, Rodgers 4-1-0, Jenkins 4-0, Armbrister 4-0-0, Bush 3-0-0, Chickillo 3-0-0, Howard 3-0-0, Gunter 1-2-0, Perryman 1-2-0, Robinson 2-0-0, Wieclaw 1-1-0, McCord 1-1-0, Finnie 0-2-0, Highsmith 1-0-0, Thompkins 1-0-0, Terrry 1-0-0, Pierre 1-0-1, Swasey 1-0-0, Porter 1-0-0, Cornileus 1-0-0, Telemaque 0-1-0, King 0-1-0, Totals 56-22-1.
PREGAME
Greetings from Miami Gardens, where we’re 2 1/2 hours away from kickoff of Virginia Tech-Miami. Hokies are favored by 1.5 with the over-under set at 57.5.
If you want to check out the podcast Andy and I did about this game, you can find it here.
A big focus of that podcast was the Tech offense, and that’s the focal point again tonight. The Hurricanes are vulnerable defensively, particularly against the run, but can the Hokies take advantage?
Print deadline will be tight tonight, but we’ll try to do the usual format: thoughts on each of the first three quarters, then a wrap-up after the print column is filed.
November 1, 2012 - 5:19 PM
Guys can you do me a favor. When Logan stands in the huddle he gives away the direction of the play. When the camera zooms in on him calling the play in the huddle (and I am no pro-lip reader) I can see when he ends the call with right or left. Tell the big guy to duck his head or kneel down and call the play…. Thanks!!!
Additionally, let me start it off by saying….. Fire stiney!! No matter what Tech does on offense. That Miami crowd will play like national title contenders tonight, shucks! Even though other teams have eaten Miami’s lunch. They are just that good when they play us (not really).
Can’t wait to see what the excuses will be this time for another mediocre performance by Tech genius non-playcalling OC. That just makes me laugh!! Tech has to be the only program in the nation where the OC doesn’t call the plays. Which is a lie. Stiney calls the plays Mark my words and O’cain is the middle man. If Stiney is in the booth Tech will lose. What happened to the plan where the genius is on the field not inflicting damage to the offense? If the Joker isn’t calling plays as claimed, maybe he can help with the porous offensive line.
Given that Miami beat NC State and State beat FSU, FSU beat Clemson and Clemson beat VT rather handily, one must assume Miami will beat VT by at least 10 points at home with the Coastal Title on the line. Just saying’.
Best of luck to Hokies tonight.
Thomas looks solid in warmups. Time to put up 45 on the Canes!
My 10 year old grandson can pick the receiver 9 times out of 10. I don’t know why the coaching staff hasn’t noticed it bt now.
it’s media buffet time….grab hammerin’ hank and get his pick vs. the number.
mikeie,
why dont you watch St. Mary’s vs Edgewood tonight?? Tech needs supporters like you like they need another hole in the head.
Stinney amazed me again with his genious play calling in the red zone. That man is the best, I’m starting to think like Beamer. Oh by the way aint Beamer ball looking great tonight, I think Stinney is coaching it too. 14-3 Miami looking good!!!
when will we learn to quit trying to kickoff inside the 25 and just take the touchback. A long return every game
Ouch…!!! Ouch….!!! A spanking in the making …
Sigh, beat by special teams in the first quarter. Hope we can make it up
That headline of ACC title in reach as for now its gone and buried behind that sorry overrated defense!!!
I can’t blame the offense for now they are trying but that defense and the special teams or “Beamer Ball” what a joke!!!
I hate to say it but loosing is the only way we will ever get rid of Stinney. If Beamer won’t let him go get rid of them both!!
I like Tom L comment I only see one wide receiver so far getting the ball while L Thomas over pressing like his job was on the line or something.
How mad is Foster? Offense putting the defenses back against the wall. Frank better do something before Foster leaves. Remember Frankie only oversees the special teams.
Wow. We spread the field and let Logan run instead of loading the stupid box. Well done. Hey coach. I started saying this about game 3 LAST year.
And then we drop a stink pickle and give up a big play………..
And it costed the chokies 3 points!!!
ouch! but that’s ok maybe that lunch box has some plays in it!!
VT still in this game but they must stop the run and pressure Morris. Morris is a hot and cold QB, if he catches fire in the second half it could be a blowout. If not, Tech still has a chance in this one. Thomas needs to run the ball about every time until Miami proves they can stop him. Forget the bombs down the field, they only lead to interceptions. You should never have more interceptions than TD passes.
Maybe in that lunch box there is a offense playbook that has some running plays and more passes to wide receivers other than just one player. As for defense that lunch box is just taking a beating bc that defense just gave up 3 more points ouch!
Its ok bc the lunch box went out treat and treating last night and came back late!
I actually thought tonight the Hokies would finally put a complete game together. Oh well. What’s up with the tackling?
Barry, … I thinly Morris is hot in the first half…he is not interested in waiting till the second half…
That was a great hit and it was called a personal foul?? I guess the chokies got one just now!!!
Here’s a tip to frank beamer: Stop making excuses and make plays look for that old beat up lunch box and see if you find the playbook for choke jobs bc your head for one here tonight!
Like ESPN TV heads are saying: poor plays, poor coaching only bs excuses you chokies what a joke!
Espn is blasting VT for poor time management at the end of the half. This is not the Virginia Tech football were used to seeing. Yes and yes !
If nothing else, this game and the FSU game next week is going to intensify call for changes on the offense.
Once again CFB gets worked the by the clock to end a half. The game is Secretariat and Beamer’s riding a mini pony. Time to do some Su-dok-u (sp?) and sharpen your mind coach.
P.S. As they preview Alabama at halftime I just can’t wait to open the season up with them next year. Fun fun………
Stiney lovers will say look we have 12 points and Logan has 120 yards rushing! Well every play is run Logan, this coaching staff is a joke. Oh yeah, Miami gives up like 30 points a game on average and we are having difficulties even scoring. Defense tackling is Shotty, however with turnovers and piss poor special teams they did good to keep Miami to only 20 points.
IT’S COACHING PEOPLE, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. WE DON’T HAVE ANY ON OFFENSE. DON’T WORRY ABOUT FOSTER, THE D WILL IMPROVE THE O WILL NOT.
This would be a good time for an onsides kick by VT.
I agree with Jared but to cover more coverage I would add chokie lovers would say: Hey we have 12 points at least its not a shut out! We’re trying and that is all what matters!! Child please your beloved hokies are being exposed for what they are and that is a over rated bunch of sorry football players and a coaching staff that thinks they are the best in the country. This season this football has shown when its time to play they just choke!
Kickoffs are just killing us
Exum got away with one
At least now we have a couple of (unsubstantiated) excuses to blame the officials if we lose. That worked so well in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan.
Thomas looks like he could hand the ball to JC Coleman, then pick him up and pass him 50 yards
Bad no call for the refs, good call for VT on the pass interference.
I blame the lunch box for the chokies if they lose tonight bc they didn’t look deep enough for any defensive plays!
EXUM!
Looks like Miami might be getting ready to give this game away.
So tired of watching our 6-6 260 ib QB loft and try to place the ball. He could break your ribs with the football at thirty yards and he’s just creme-puffing it out there.throw the freaking ball like you mean it!
It is past halftime, but if you haven’t had a Cuban pancake, an arepas, you haven’t lived. Last Orange Bowl, that Stanford beat down that Tech had, and the equally disappointing Kansas game before that, those babies were the highlight of the evening.
Tech would have been better served to have left the special teams coach at home, and the offensive coordinator, and play caller.
It was nice to see Fancy Gap Frank get fired up at the end of the half, sadly, he got fired up at the stripes about 2 plays too late. But, hey, that’s Frank. Mr. Nice Guy.
Miami has a number of guys out on defense, but, of course, Tech won’t pick on those spots, because it’d be againt the mantra of Hokies Respect that Jim Weaver so joyously preaches on his underlings.
Those chokies just coughed it up again L Thomas is trying to hard to be hero just play and stop being this over rated QB
That’s ballgame! Damn, the Hokies and Dallas Cowboys must have the same Playbook! The Playbook is called “How to continuously screw up”! Boy I have some winners to root for! LOL
That’s the truth Jared!
Just one quarter of complete football, that’s all I ask.
Just one complete quarter of football…please!
Here is a great analogy – Tech football is the only thing that could run over a dead possum on the road and get a flat tire. It is so absolutely amazing how Tech can’t do anything lately.
L Thomas had a receiver open and he threw it away ouch! What a sorry QB and offensive coordinator!
Just saw the lunch box looks like it when to hell and back ouch!
Missing the fullback on fourth and one last series and that near disaster on the five. Another three and out……Mark Leal anyone? Coach ? Thomas is totally ineffective ……the defense keeps giving it back and they can do nothing with it. Best thing that can happen to VT is go 4-8…..lose out and maybe there will be changes made that desperately need to happen. Defense is officially gassed with 8:50 left.
Anyone notice every time a Hurricane gets called for a penalty he comes out of the game? It’s called discipline and accountability. Defense is exhausted.
A beautiful trick play by Miami and that sorry defense just took it ouch!
wow
That sorry defense just got scored on again ouch!! you sorry bunch of chokies!
Defense can’t win the game for ya Beamer!!!!! You gave to score a few points with that high powered offense!!!!!! This offense is a joke and will continue this way until you get some new coaching leadership!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks bad…down 15 with little to go…time to get on the bus..
game over, i’m afraid. Logan may need to go to tight end next year, although he’s had the crap beat out of him tonight. Interesting, four senior starters on o=line last year, and no one thinks to rotate less experienced players in when thr opportunity presents itself? Also, phrase “Beamerball” needs to go away… permanently.
Mr. Potato Chip, your mom is calling down the stairs in the basement. It is past bedtime for trolls. Boy our offensive play calling is lousy. What a terrible waste of good talent.
Cut out the lights…….. The party is over!! We might not win another game this year~~
That offense of the chokies are gased and now that sorry defense has to find a way to bail them out of a hole which will not happen you sorry chokies! Kiss that consecutive 10 win seasons goodbye!!
Smithfield Hokie your sorry excuses for your beloved chokies aren’t working here nor next week when your chokies get the beat down of their lives sorry to be a hokie fan yet alone you a sorry chokie fan who can’t accept that your hokies are just junk deal with it!!
I wonder where Mr. Original has been hiding..Beamers boy where are you? Some fair weather fan you are..
Pollack just said “Never has a game been more gift wrapped”. I see why they scheduled ECU thru 2020 now. Pretty pathetic effort tonight !
No more talk of National Championship until March. Just figuring out how to get to the Meinike Car Care bowl now.
Another 3 points given up by that sorry defense lets see if that lunch box of the chokies have any good offensive plays!
Defense played well enough to win, offense and “Beamerball” did not. Bottom line: no intensity, focus, discipline, tough-mindedness, chemistry, leadership, HEART… no trace of Hokie football anywhere. 5-7 here we come (if we can beat UVA)
Good grief……I get called into to work and this crap is happening. This must be the replacement Hokies in South Beach. We have to stay outta Fla.
I agree with you Jswift but I was think about the little ceasers bowl as the chokies just got picked off!!
Ten wins!!! Stinky Stiney must go!!!
Most heartless, gutless group of receivers we’ve ever had… Won’t block, can’tor won’t catchfeel bad for Logan.
Mr. Potato Chip, we know that your team, UVA isn’t doing too well either. But hang in there, there is always next year.
*can’t or won’t catch…
30-12 Miami those chokies choked again! I can’t wait to see the excuses for this week for the sorry effort shown here and for next weeks beatdown by FSU to the sorry chokies football of 2012!
Ugh might not have to worry about a bowl game this year! Don’t see us winning anymore games, much less 2 games. This would be good because it would/ should force major changes!
Fire them all!!!
Maybe a Hokies record tonight. What’s the record for highest number of offensive plays for a maximum of 12 points?
Same thing to you bohica your beloved chokies can make a run next year after a killing they will take after playing Alabama bc of that cupcake schedule these chokies have lined up!
Where is Fridge??? Isn’t he Beamers buddy? Bruce Ariens? Don Strock? Come on there has to be someone in the Hokie Nation that can take over…..PLEASE fire Stiney and O’cain!!!!
Chip your chokie comments are getting old. We are home and are a better team than the one that played tonight. Bring them Noles to Blacksburg.
Wellllll…..isn’t that special!!! Maybe we are going to the Satanbowl
Sherman should go too. The receivers don’t know where to go!
Beamer Best…. Wow give me some of what you are drinking. There is no way Tech can win with the offensive wizard we have in the booth. He has to improve just to stink.
Now that I,ve had time to settle down, I remember what it was like before Frank took the reins… disgusting under Dooley. Now more than ever over the past 25 years they need our support… Go Hokies!
What a joke!
PLease pray for Mr. Potato Chip… he obviously is a forlorn, desperate, hurting, thinly sliced deep-fried tuber that would rather bash someone else’s loyalties as opposed to exposing the short-comings of whatever program he supports… in winning seasons only!
Beamer is the reason this program is done. He better make changes to this over paid sorry ass staff, I hope nobody shows up next week maybe then weaver will act like the AD and force change. Newsome and o’cain and Steinspring are such dead weight on this staff beamer ruined his leagacy by keeping these losers he will never win anything.
It is in the final equation about E & L,
I live inOregon. love the offensive energy,
Some how, some way, may be it is the lack of excellence in the players ot lack of heart. Whatever the reaon, the team lacks heart. They do not know how to win. MAJOR chances are needed. I sense we have an NFK end playing QB, who will never take a snap in the NFL. Like any team with a losing record, it is time to think out of the box. Excellents begets excellents. Whatever was is was. Time to step up!
Hey Beamer Best…..The comments you leave….You must be doing the same drugs Foster is on…..Anyways…..I still see the Chokies making a bowl this year……The Plumers Turd Stopper Toilet Bowl!!!!
When will the term “beamer-ball” be retired? Each and every coach on the Virginia Tech football team should take responsibility of this loss. The players lacked discipline and seemed dazed throughout the game. You could say the defense did it’s job, despite giving up 30 points, but ultimately they shouldn’t have given up any points after haft-time. Why? because they were barely on the field in the second half. When will stinespring be removed from his super-soft offensive coordinator chair? The coaches at Virginia Tech have been raking in the money and not producing the results. In the professional realm, employees who don’t produce results get fired. I am ready for a change. Listen, the ceiling has been reached with the current coaching staff. That ceiling is essentially a nice year with 10 wins and a bowl LOSS to cap the year off. I am so tired of supporting this mediocre team in Blacksburg. Enough said
I know everyone wants to blame the VT offense but the defense has given up 68 points in the past 2 games. When it is all said and done my Yellow Jackets may end up with a better record than the Hokies. But VT can take heart in this: They were only about 18 plays from winning this game tonight.
how about another gutter commercial?
Oregon gave up about 60 but they scored about 120. It’ all relative. We scored 12 points against the next to last defense in FBS football. Like I said, it’s all relative.
I had a bad feeling that Miami would win 31-24…I didn’t see VT looking so completely dysfunctional after a bye week. The problem now is that no matter the outcomes, the excuse factory is in full production. 3 plays and the game is different is worn out, but could be trotted out again. Too much inexperience…well, that’s not really viable 9 games in now. Execution…if they aren’t executing, it’s on the coaches. Play calling…coaches. Complete and total dysfunction…coaches. This team has terribly underachieved. They have talent, but too many players don’t give a full effort. Others simply are not on par with the types of athletes needed to compete at this level…though they try. Many things need to change…but I don’t see anything substantial happening.
Aaron, as a long time participant in your blog, I can sincerely say this, without any doubt at all – if you don’t stop approving posts by idiots like this Mr. Potato Chip moron, I’m not coming back, not to talk MLB, NASCAR, hoops, football, nothing.
It is all fine to have colorful discussion, but you’re letting this blog get worse than Techsideline, and that isn’t a comment (and it is about to go down, itself, because of it). You have the power to flush the crap down the toilet. The ‘approve’ button needs a little more backbone to it.
See you around, dude.
Barry from Ivy, sure the D has given up some points in the last 2 games but they’ve nearly all been in short field situations where either the offense has turned the ball over or special teams have failed them. The defense has been playing pretty well all in all.
The problems are deeper at tech than we think! You can dress up a turd, but you cannot take away the stink. Just saying. The problems are deepppppppppppppp.
That game was about as exciting as watching vomit leak from the mouth of a squished rabbit. Need to stop giving money people, and make a statement to Weaver this year. Let’s not stand for the nepotism any longer.
Seriously AMac, Potato Chip posted almost every other post for 2o something posts and used the word chokie in every one. Must be a kid, but this is the most ridiculous thread I’ve seen in a while. Can you blacklist his I.P. for those of us that enjoy the normal banter and discussion?
Wasn’t this about the fifth ‘critical’ game for the Hokies? I mean, this one ‘meant this season’, but then, so did the Clemson game & the UNC game & the Duke game, etc. Does the F$U game ‘mean the season’? Or BC? Or UVa?
Frank Beamer’s mantra has changed to ‘We can still make a bowl’, without mentioning just how pitiful of a bowl it will be. I think everyone assumes F$U will be a loss. Now the question is – could we flop in either the BC or UVa game and lose one of them to finish 5-7? I’d put the odds at that at about 10%, but with this team, you never know.
Rick H and beamer best of all time my comments are just shineing the light on the fact that this year the VT hokies are just a joke of a football program. What I can’t stand are fans and comments from fans that think that this VT football program is the best every single week and when they the VT hokies choke you the fans can’t handle it! Well one get a life of your own the world doesn’t revolve around the VT Chokies they have been a bunch of over rated football players for years and now reality have hit them so hard you sorry fans that think that losing more games you win is a great thing has the right to defend them and make others feel that they can’t say anything is wrong. Understand something I truly comment loyal fans of the hokies but know that until things change like the constant media coverage of a sorry football team and excuses from them to you their loyal fans I will always be here posting what I think about this over hyped program. Nothing is personal with me to his VT program I just get tired of hearing that VT is the best and we have to be praised this year all the praise you will receive are ones calling for your jobs and changes I hope are in the works as for loyal hokie fans deal with that!!!
We’re 75% of the way through the season. It’s pretty obvious that Logan Thomas isn’t going to turn it around this season. It’s pretty obvious that we don’t have a ‘go-to’ RB, and even if we did, he still wouldn’t get more than about ten carries in a game. It’s pretty obvious the offensive game planning is still scattered, to say the least. It’s pretty obvious people are beginning to understand the chinks if Bud’s defensive armor. It’s pretty obvious that any TV reference to BeamerBall is only embarrassing for Hokie fans. It’s pretty obvious that Frank Beamer is not yet ready to discuss publicly any weakness of strategy, preferring to continue laying the blame at the feet of the players his staff should have coached to not make such mistakes.
I guess the question is – whose going to buy Sun Bowl tickets?
http://www.sunbowl.org/
Well, after letting last night sink in a tad, I decided to do some research to figure out how VT’s season might wind up, since they’re essentially out of the running for everything except a bowl bid and keeping the Commonwealth Cup in Blacksburg…the latter of which I would take over a bowl bid at this point, honestly. I took to the Massey rankings, because I wanted to get a feel for the teams VT has played and how they rank out, since only 1 is actually ranked in the polls (Clemson).
To start, VT is ranked 61st (before last night’s loss, anyway). Their 4 wins are against teams ranked 63rd (Duke), 72nd (Bowling Green), Georgia Tech (81), and Austin Peay (FCS, not ranked). Based on that, those are 4 teams they should have beaten, and they did. Their combined record is just 15-19, pulled down by AP’s 0-8 record…despite that Duke and BG are both 6-3.
For the teams VT has lost to, Clemson is 17th, Cincy 40th, UNC 44th, Miami 56th (before last night), and Pitt is 71st…so generally, they lost to the higher-ranked teams. That’s the marking of a mediocre football team…generally beat the lesser competition, and lose to better competition. In general, that is what the Hokies have almost always done anyway…it’s just that this year the team is so much worse than usual…and it shows in the on-the-field results.
So, that brings us to the final 3 games…FSU, BC, UVA. FSU is ranked 11th and is 8-1 overall. VT will probably have the doors blown off by the half. If VT manages to keep it within 2 touchdowns, I will be surprised. A win would be some solace on a bad year, but will not erase the horrendous execution, coaching, and lack of general leadership this team has…nor will it erase the need for substantial changes. But, it would be cool nonetheless.
The final 2 games come against the cellar-dwellers of both divisions. Both teams are a puny 2-6 overall, and both teams have just 1 win over a FBS team: BC beat Maryland last week by 3, and UVA beat Penn State in week 2 by a point. They’re bad, really bad. How bad? BC is ranked 101st, UVA 102nd. VT should win both, given their track record, and eke out a 6-6 record and a bowl bid…barely.
But, that still doesn’t do anything to change the fact that 11 of the 12 VT opponents will come from the Big East, ACC, and MAC…conferences ranked 5th, 6th, and 9th on the season. In past years, VT would destroy a schedule loaded with this many weak teams. This year, they are the ones getting destroyed. They are not 2-7 in their last 9 games against BCS-level opposition. Let that sink in. 2-7. The 2 wins are against Duke and Georgia Tech, and there is a good chance that neither one of them finishes better than 6-6 on the season. Yes, VT really is that bad this year. Finally, all of the things long-time observers have been raising red flags over have all sort of come together in a bit of a perfect storm. And the results are mighty ugly.
That should say “now 2-7″…
As much as no one wants to hear it, it looks pretty certain Tech will finish 5 – 7. I really thought they might be able to beat FSU next week but after last night, don’t think so.
As a change of topic, let’s revive a subject discussed greatly by the Playstation crowd last year – VaTech should move to the SEC where they are serious about playing football. We’re too good for the ACC, despite the fact they pulled us from the dregs of the Independent/Big East swamp. The ACC is a soft football conference, and has a different mindset than we do at VT. We really need to work behind the scenes to move to the SEC, where we would fit better with like-minded schools.
Comments?
Loss to BC, Barry? Or UVA?
As for comment approval, I realize the sophistication of the discussion drops on in-game blogs. Emotions run high for folks regardless of allegiances. I don’t censor but do appreciate when the dust settles a bit and the discussion calms. It’s a natural process, happens every time. Those who don’t like the vitriol might just want to avoid in-game comments. They are what they are.
I have to agree with Eagle on this one. Beamer keeps Stiney and the rest of that sorry O coaching staff why? Everyone in the country knows they suck, but Beamer is what loyal or stupid? If he wants to sacrifice the success of the team for his buddy, then I have to say he’s stupid. And then hires his son as assistant coach, which stinks to high heaven. What experience does this kid have to warrant that job or salary? NONE. Then you have good ole’ Foster, who just sits back and let’s all of Beamer’s shenanigans roll right over him? Ya think that’s really happening? No it’s not. I’m sure Foster’s ripped at Beamer along with the team for having to put up with the sorry coaching staff and idiot decisions they make. And who is there to motivate these guys? Who’s there for them to look up to? Beamer????????? Give me a break. Beamer is the great un-motivator, lounging over on the sideline with a stupid grin on his face.You can see him mentally counting the money he’s making off of this team with all his endorsements. And would somebody please retire “Beamer Ball”, that crap doesn’t exist and hasn’t for years. Yep, this team has lots of problems, but the main one will never admit he’s the biggest problem and will continue to blame everyone but himself.
CR,…There is no interest from the SEC in VT . Get over the idea that V Tech athletics are too good for the ACC .You should. Be happy with where we are. Anyway I am not sure the alumni wants to pony up part of a 20-25 million exit fee. Even if Tech did go it would be a constant middle of the pack team in football It’s best to fix the problems here and not get to big of an appetite for something you can’t stomach.
I have a hard time seeing VT losing to BC or UVA. But that said, they will probably find a way to lose one of them. I’d put money on losing at BC, just because this team looks absolutely dreadful on the road this year. Scoring 20.8 ppg on the road and giving up 35.6 ppg on the road.
At Lane? VT scoring 35, and giving up 11. Night and day difference, though the paucity of competitive home opposition thus far likely contributes to those stats being just a little more than skewed.
Does anyone know what it would take to get Nick Saban to Bburg, someone needs to find out?
On special teams: “We spend a lot of time on that, but it’s pretty simple: The punters catch the ball, and you kick it. When you’ve got a lane in a kickoff coverage, you stay in that lane. It’s pretty simple, and we spend a lot of time on that. You just execute.”
Above courtesy of Frank Beamer…
If it is really that simple, and you already spend a lot of time on it, then why recruit such players that you claim can’t grasp the simple actions? Why not recruit guys who DO know how to do it? Who should be blamed for that? Failure to recruit, I mean? Are there any coaches that bear responsibility?
It’s never to early to try to fill that empty trophy case in Merryman. Next season we open with Alabammer, which should help our strength of scheduling with the BCS computers. If Logan stays, and we run the table, what do folks think the odds are that we don’t get bumped aside by a one loss Notre Dame team for the MNC game?
Anybody?
Pertinent bowl schedule listed for those making early holiday plans.
Sun Dec. 31 El Paso, Tex. ACC No. 4 vs. Pac-12 No. 4
Belk Dec. 27 Charlotte, N.C. Big East No. 3 vs. ACC No. 5
Music City Dec. 31 Nashville, Tenn. ACC No. 6 vs. SEC No. 7
Independence Dec. 28 Shreveport, La. SEC No. 10 vs. ACC No. 7
Please make sure that you order your tickets through VaTech ticket office so that you can be assigned to the corners of the end zone & upper levels as well. Remember, VaTech will be held responsible for purchasing such a large amount of tickets, and the bowl payout will be so small, that the VT athletic department will actually lose money on this trip. The important thing, though is that it keeps our bowl streak alive and that the coaching staff will receive hundreds of thousands in bonus money for this. Be sure to dig deep into your wallets for this worthy cause.
OJ your analysis is refreshing and spot on. However, we always give FSU a battle and gag on BC. I would not be surprised to see us beat FSU and lose to BC caught up in a moment of euphoria. Ignore Mr. PC, he was refused admittance to VT and lost his crayons so his virulent behavior is understandable. There’s always community college Mr.PC, just remember to keep the colors inside the lines.
@Roger. Nick Saban is not coming to Blacksburg. Your question, “What would it take to get Saban…” The answer would be about $10 mil a year but that STILL would not do it. He can recruit some of the best high school talent in the U.S. from his position at Alabama but would not have that luxury in B’burg. Saban not only has the talent down there, he has the football brains to know what to do with it and is one of the best coaches in the country. The best thing for Tech is to hire a promising young coordinator as head coach who would stay up half the night working on football related issues, schemes, plays, recruiting and so forth; you know, all those things that we are lacking right now.
Peggy Noonan wrote this in her WSJ column today referencing the current occupant of the White House: “It is one thing to think you’re Lebron. Its another thing to keep missing the basket and losing games and still think you’re Lebron.” This season has made public and obvious the notion that has been in the back of some minds for a long time that Hokie football as currently configured cannot be Lebron. Lebron gets better every year and has a ring. We have failed to improve year over year and our trophy case is empty. Do what you gotta do to improve every year. Top 15, top 10, top 5. Coaches, players, facilities, fans. (For example, if Alabama needed an indoor practice facility, a stand of trees would not be a remote consideration and the check would be on the AD’s desk yesterday. Or, when VT designed the new locker room Coach Beamer found out what school had the widest lockers and we built the biggest, baddest lockers in the country. These are mindsets that create and sustain the top programs.) Until that commitment is made, the trophy case will remain empty and probably should be put in storage. In the meantime get ready for FSU, beat BC, crush UVA, go to a Bowl and benefit from that additional practice and game experience, and look forward to next year. Go Hokies!
D Jordan,
Shane Beamer got hired in as an assistant HEAD coach. And Billy Hite was shown the door.
Many of us are curious as to the coincidence of this occurence and its proximity to the now collapse of VT football.
The entire offensive staff needs to be scrapped, but since Beamer’s son is on board, that will never happen…
Beamer is becoming Paterno & Bowden… An aging coach who’s having the game pass him bye….
This is a program in serious decline. Sure they may win the acc in the future, but we all know the acc is a lousy football conference…
the fact that this team was still in the running to win it’s division proves that.
Call Petrino…
Though he’ll be at Auburn or TN next season and wouldn’t go to Blacksburg.
Put VT in the SEC they are lower tier year after year… They don’t have the coaching to compete. Their offense would get destroyed on a weekly basis.
“Crooked Road” You are so right… This is a staff which has made millions for themselves literally…. Basically playing it safe in bad football conferences and not beating a legit contender for 20 years….
Get to the bowl and collect a nice bonus… Not a bad life even if the bowl is garbage.
Hey leave potato chip alone chip has his rights to say whatever he wants. It is still a free country and for me I think he is speaking the truth even though all the football players are not chokies but the staff is. When did you Family Security or anyone else other than the moderator decided what can and can’t be posted. For what I have seen you hokie fans take being a VT Hokie way to seriously! Why? its just a game and for the season your team is having I say accept it for what it is and like crooked road posted get ready to buy your over priced tickets to whatever bowl game the hokies might go to but keep in mind you have to not just show up and think your hokies are given that trophy your team has to acutally play and make plays other than that their’s always next for your team and mine!!
Tom L, that’s what I’m afrain of. Score a huge upset win and then faceplant in the next game against a truly deadful team in BC. But, we’ve seen VT do exactly that before.
The notion that players won’t come to VT because of location is nuts. Eugene isn’t a destination most people want to go, but Oregon has built a nice program there and lands the big-name recruits. Gainesville, Athens, Ann Arbor, Norman…all relatively small college towns…those programs have built a strong history and can recruit quite well. Why can that suddenly not be done in Blacksburg? Could it possibly be that the current staff that built the program to where it has been, is also the anchor that keeps it tied too much to the past, that prevents it from taking another step forward?
VT has had a great run. 1999 was the peak of that run, with a decline when Grant Noel took the reins, and a rebound with Bryan Randall and Tyrod Taylor leading the team on the field. The big-picture view of VT shows that 1999 was more a flash of excellence amid an ocean of good but not great teams. This program has never truly been a top-15 program. Close, but not into that level. The recruiting has not stepped up, the on-field performance has not stepped up, the coaching has not stepped up.
Tens wins, regular conference titles, and annual bowl trips are great accomplishments that fans of the program can be proud of. But when the coaching staff keeps promising more, that they’re oh so close to taking the next step, that then fail to get the team up to that vaunted ‘next level’…it wears thin on fans and alumni. This year is the cumulative affect of general apathy within the program…a feeling that 10 wins and annual chances at conference titles were guaranteed simply because this is Virginia Tech. In the process of falling into that, we’ve been passed, and the process of substantially revamping the program at this point will take a season or 2 (or more)…whereas had continual innovation and improvement been demonstrated, the gap between VT and elite might not be a chasm the size of the holes in the Hokies secondary.
Warning: sarcastic, over-the-top post, read at own risk.
1) Even if the Hokies don’t go bowling, they will still get money thank to a communism system set up by the ACC and the BCS pool of money, after expense, of course. So, the Hokies are still the winner, even if this season have gone the way of gutter ball in bowling.
2) I guess the ACC is leaping for joy because for the first time since the conference raided the Little Least, Miami and FSU are potentially going to Charlotte. I guess wet dreams do come true after all.
3) I do not appreciate the head referee allowing a Hurricane player grabbing Logan’s by the back collar, hauling him from the pile [when Logan fumbled the snap at goal line]. That is enabling a thuggery behavior, but again, this is Miami, long known for being Thug U.
4) I don’t like Al Golden. He spend more time worried about his hair and yapping like a chihuahua he needs to be sent to obedience/reform school. But, that’s par for course since he’s the head coach of Thug U.
Diatribe over. Enjoy your weekend, folks.
this program has stalled and is crumbling in front of us. it will take a long time to recover.
Personally, Trev, I am rooting for Duke to win out. If we’re going to implode, then why not? If the ACC is going to be at this level, then why not Duke?
As for your #1. I agree totally. What folks don’t understand or forget, is that essentially every bowl below the ‘near BCS’ level – i.e. ChikFilA, Gator, etc. – the participants lose money when playing in those games. Anything $1.5 mil or less, money loser. Basically, it is even a money loser for the fans. Anybody want to go to Nashville during the winter holidays? Do it on a weekend when the bowl is being played and you’ll save about 35% of your trip expenses, excluding ticket prices. Orlando? Charlotte? Same deal.
Oops – ‘bowl is NOT being played…’
Aaron – Nice article in The Times this a.m. ‘Nuff said!!
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: An ibis and a turkey walk into the bar, and the bartender says: “Wait, so Virginia Tech can’t even hang on special teams anymore?” Logan Thomas threw for 199 yards and rushed for 124 more, including a 73-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. No other Hokie entered the end zone last night, or managed a score of any kind in the entire second half. The specter of an all-Florida ACC championship game looms, unless Duke gets its way. And isn’t the possibility of Duke getting its way one of the more purely delightful things about this season?
Hey there, CR!
I think you are right. I recall an article written which examined how money is being made and profited by the bowl executives. The article cited an example of Virginia Tech attending a bowl game, and they actually lost money by attending the bowl, while Michigan, missing a bowl game, saved money by not going. I believe that was article was written by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports. Of course, Wetzel is as anti-BCS as they come, hence his book, “Death to the BCS.”
As for Duke, they have a tough stretch, they host Clemson, take on the Bumble Bees (should be winnable given how crappy they are), and host Miami.
Oh, OJ tweeted a link that Miami may self-ban themselves out of the ACC title game here – http://t.co/HWMbbgUU. That is just astonishing. That would drive Al Golden nuts.
Bob H, may I ask you this?
If Billy Hite was “shown the door,” then why is he on the sideline, advising Beamer? I saw Billy Hite having a conversation with Frank Beamer. If Billy Hite is in an administrative role, what on the gridiron is Billy Hite doing?
Hokie Jokie!
Anybody at VT reached out for Tony Franklin, the Off Coordinator at La Tech??I believe he is a Murray St. grad!
why dont you watch St. Mary’s vs Edgewood tonight?? Tech needs supporters like you like they need another hole in the head.
righhhhttt. It would have been a better game I mean some imagination on offense is refreshing. So I guess you like mediocrity Pete.