Wednesday: What would it take for Tech to beat FSU?
ESSENTIALLY, THAT’S WHAT I’M WRITING ABOUT FOR TOMORROW: What’s the anatomy of an upset of this magnitude? I have my own thoughts, which will comprise the column tomorrow, but I’m curious as to yours.
1. Do you think it’s actually possible? and
2. How would it happen if it did?
EPISODE TWO OF THE HOKIES PRESS PASS PODCAST WITH ANDY AND ME is available here. We talk a little about what went wrong in the Miami game, the elevation of Alonzo Tweedy on the depth chart, Logan Thomas’ confidence and, of course, tomorrow’s FSU game. It’s about 20 minutes long if you’re interested in checking it out.
THE ONE THING ANDY AND I BOTH WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH THAT THING is create a little reader/listener interaction, whether it be questions or comments from fans. Still not there yet, but it’s a work in progress and I’m confident that if we do one before the Tech-UVa game, it’ll be included in that one. Of course, a lot of the topics we discussed are those we see raised often on this blog and his, so in a way we’re already incorporating it to an extent.
Speaking of reader interaction, Andy’s having his weekly chat at 12:30 p.m. today. You can join in here.
LIES! LIES! ALL LIES!
-Thought you might appreciate this assessment of Virginia Tech from FSU coach Jimbo Fisher from his weekly press conference (emphasis mine): Virginia Tech does some nice things on special teams that we have to be aware of. They’re known for special teams and defense. We’ll have a huge challenge on the road ahead of us. They have a very dynamic quarterback. He’s big and athletic and they’ve got big receivers and they can run the ball…Frank has won a lot of games and of course he heads up the special teams and they’re doing a great job of that.
Huh? I think Jimbo’s been watching film from 2007.
LOCAL LINKS
-Hidden Valley grad Luke Hancock is ready to be a key contributor for No. 2 Louisville after sitting out last year following a transfer from George Mason. Rick Pitino says offensively, “he’s as good as anybody on our basketball team.”
-Virginia linebacker Daquan Romero notched six tackles in his first career start — and he did it with his father making a rare appearance at the game.
-More from Andy on the Virginia Tech defense focusing on its own challenges as the offense struggles.
-Here’s your full schedule of Friday night football playoff games. See some of you at Byrd-Botetourt.
-Fearless Forecasters slate is here.
NATIONAL STUFF
-The Sugar Bowl will be the site of the new SEC-Big 12 game. The first edition of the new Sugar Bowl between the champions of the SEC and Big 12 will be Jan. 1, 2015. If the SEC or Big 12 champion advances to the national semifinals, each conference would then provide another team for the Sugar Bowl.
-The NHL is scheduled to resume talks with the players union today.
-NFL players vote Rex Ryan the most overrated coach in the league. Bill Belichick was second.
-The NBA fines Lakers guard $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language toward a fan.”
-Yu Darvish will skip the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
-As CR noted, J.J. Redick scores 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting as the Magic lose to the Bulls for their first loss of the year.
NAME THAT TUNE
Ah, simpler times:
Coolin in my crib and I’m cold, maxin’
Call up a cutie, I’m in the mood for relaxin’
Get my phone book from, top o’ the shelf
I’ll dial 66 – hmm, I better keep it to myself
Call up a cutie with a triple star next to it
She says, “Hello, ” we con-versate a bit
Invite her over for a candlelight dinner
Believe me when I tell you that this girlie is a winner…
November 7, 2012 - 8:43 AM
Jimbo Fisher’s comments remind me of back when Bobby Bowden’s team was going to play VT for the ACC championship. Ole Bobby called Frank on the phone, ‘just to chat’, and Frank literally gushed so much to the media that ‘Bobby Bowden called ME!’, it was embarrassing. Of course, Bobby went on to spank Frank like a pup, and F$U rolled.
What will it take for the Hokies to win tomorrow night? I don’t know, what would it have taken for Virgil Goode to win the Presidential election?
Aaron, I asked this, and got no answer, so I’ll ask again. How can I, as a deaf person wanting equal access, listen to the podcast? I’d love to hear you two discuss things, even if it’s about how bad the Hokies are this season.
The only positives that the Hokies have going for them is they have not lost all season in Lane Stadium. That’s pretty much it.
Jimbo Fisher…what a riot to read. I actually guffawed…on the inside.
Tech can win if any of the below occur.
1) FSU cant make it to Blacksburg.
2) O’cain and Stiney cant make it to Blacksburg. Let Logan call the plays.
3) FSU loses there top three qb’s in the 1st quarter.
4) If Beamer admits in pregame to the team he is a lousy coach and he is sorry for dragging this team down. Just win one for the Beamer!
5) Bud Foster suits up at guard.
6) Miami declines a chance to play in the ACC championship and Jimbo decides to rest his palyers.
7) VT plays the perfect game.
8) FSU is given Nyquil as the pregame meal.
9) FSU and VT switch coaches for the game.
10) Pigs fly over the stadium instead of military jets !!
I like it, Coxster. SO YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE.
When you look at the offensive & defensive team stats for both teams, it provides an interesting picture. A picture that varies widely from the point spread. I asked earlier in the week, and I’ll repeat – anyone have thoughts about the home crowd in Lane? How vocal/non-vocal & strong/weak will they be? Will it be all drunk students? Or absent students/donors? Or what?
crooked road, it depends. If FSU smacks Tech in the mouth, Lane is going to be as quiet as a graveyard. If FSU blows out Tech by halftime, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an emptying stadium through my laptop. It just depends on how well Tech plays.
That’s my 2 cents.
CR, I think it will be a good crowd, loud as usual for a Thursday night. I think you sell a lot of the Tech faithful short because they disagree with you. I know I’ll be there bouncing on my old knees and rooting for the Hokies just as loud as I did at my first Tech game in 1964 at Victory Stadium.
Sure there’s a chance. Anything can happen…but the best way for VT to win tomorrow is if Florida State University School Seminoles walk off the plane, instead of the Florida State University Seminoles.
I simply don’t see VT winning. FSU 41-17.
Jimbo is playing the flattery game, boosting the morale of VT by heaping praise upon the Hokies…buttering them up. It won’t help VT though.
Reality is that this team can’t run the ball well, really can’t stop the run, moves the ball between the 20′s decently but can’t score a TD in the red zone, can’t score much period, has trouble in the secondary, can’t force turnovers, turns the ball over on offense way too often, is prone to all manner of special teams gaffes, and has a big and athletic quarterback who is as prone to making mistakes as he is to making big plays.
In essence, VT is the collegiate equivalent to the Philadelphia Eagles, right down to a long-tenured, well-respected coach who still hasn’t won the big one, despite getting there once a long time ago and largely having plateaued in his career since.
Had to look up the song lyrics online…can’t remember it, even though I liked the singer
I’m heading to the game tomorrow night — first of the year for me. I doubt very highly that it will be a full house, but I’m hoping that the cold night atmosphere against a warm weather team will make for a fun time.
I’ve been unimpressed with Tech all year, but this game is the type of game where the Hokies usually show up, even in down years. Mark me down for a dramatic 24-23 Tech win.
7 – you heard it here first: Tech 28, FSU 23
Gyrlz, They Love Me – Heavy D
This song takes me back to my carefree elementary\middle school days!
You should take note of the number of tickets that people put up for sale after the Miami loss on Techsideline. It has been flooded with available seats! That sorta lets you know how most Tech fans feel about the outcome of the game!
I posted yesterday that it would be interesting to see what might happen if F$U went up 21-3 by the end of the 1st quarter. Of course, Tech might find a backbone and outplay F$U, but I’ve not seen any interest this whole season by the coaches or players in a gut check type moment. I certainly don’t sense that in the rest of the fan base, either.
Oh, well. At least this will give us a much milder scenario of what will happen when we open next season with Alabama on the road.
Tech can win : If they can pull off the same deal as the water into wine thing a few centuries back. And prayer , lots of it.
1. Yes, I think it is possible for the Hokies to pull the upset….sometimes you just gotta believe. If NC State can do it so can Tech. That’s why they line up and play cause you just never know.
2. If Tech can win the turnover margin and maybe include a pick six or return a fumble for a TD with one of them they could win a close game. But if the defensive front doesn’t put pressure on Manuel and give him happy feet, there won’t be a close game….it will get ugly quick.
It sounds like Jimbo studied under Frank Beamer in “How to Talk up you Opponent” 1001 and 1002, both semesters of it, and did the extra credit assignment on “lying and not laughing” that is offered to boost your grade a letter. Sounds like Jimbo got an A.
Like I’ve always said about Frank, he could have you convinced that Blacksburg Middle School would give Tech a game. Sounds like Jimbo can probably do the same about Tallahassee Middle – they’ll get after ya.
Coxster, only #1 will work out, and even then, it’ll be a pick ‘em line in Vegas.
Did the NFL players vote Ryan the most “over rated” coach or the most “over weighted coach”? Nothing inspires players to perfection, dedication and self discipline like a loud mouth lard ass coach.
To me, Rick, it seemed more like Jimbo didn’t study up too much on Tech. As much as Frank (and others) embellish the merits of the upcoming opponents, they try to stick with actual strengths and just go overboard with those. Special teams really humming? Running game strong? It’s like he hasn’t watched a down of Tech football this year.
AMc, I thought the same thing, but didn’t want to insult Frank & company by saying so.
It’s like Jimbo called Bobby & said – ‘Hey, Coach, how about them Hokies?’ Then Bobby said – ‘Shucks, son, just compliment ‘em a bunch, and you won’t have any problems. Frank likes to think he knows about special teams, so say somethin’ good on that, and talk about ‘em bein’ tough at home. Then you can roll ‘em just like I did. It works like a charm every time…’
Then again, Jimbo may just be saying those things to remind Frank that his program is a mere shell of what it once was, and that he’s going to roll Frank regardless of what is said in the press.
I do not think VT has a chance in this game, only win I see on the schedule is BC and even that is not a given.
The sell out streak will also come to an end. Over 3k tickets just on stub hub starting at $9??? What happened to hokie nation?
A~Mac. You just un~covered how we can win. You are right , they have not watched a down of VT football. They are deciding to try our way. Act like you are playing another game. This is great. I was really worried I would freeze my a** off and see a beatdown.
NC State won so I have to believe it is possible. Here’s how:
1. Covert Activities: FSU players get overconfident, break curfew and head downtown. VT girls wear them out all night. Guys too tired and hungover to play. They lose but really look forward to next trip to Blacksburg.
2. Concidence: FSU Team Bus drives over nails on way to game from hotel. Players must run to stadium as 4 flats is too much to repair in time. Tired team can’t get loose after long run. VT wins.
3. Divine Intervention: God strikes FSU with plague or plague like symptoms. VT wins.
4. Dumb Luck: FSU Staff sleeps through wake-up call. FSU a stadium no-show. VT wins by forfeit.
5. Witchcraft: Backwods Voodoo Doyene hired by Staff to create Jimbo Fisher gris-gris. Appropriately applied pins cause Fisher to call 48 QB sneaks in a row. VY wins.
6. Hillbilly Hospitality: VT players get white lightning delivered from Floyd County. Have welcome toast Friday night with FSU team. FSU team can;t handle it. Forfeits.
7. Boobytrap: University buys 000′s of killer wild turkeys and places them around FSU hotel. Wildlife specialists from Dept of Biology called in on emergency. They call State Wildlife office. Turkeys identified as protected speciaes and FSU remains locked in hotel until turkeys migrate a week later. Forfeits.
8. Miracle: Aliens return VT football team to Earth from wherever they have taken them. Really annoyed players take field and kick ass.
AM, maybe the fact that ol’ jimbo doesn’t have any idea what Tech REALLY looks like on the field this season might suggest that FSU ihas taken the trip to Blacksburg lightly. Might fare well for the Hokies…… I know it’s a stretch of epic proportions but Tech has the talent to beat this team if just a couple of breaks will fall their way.
My read on Jimbo’s comments. Jimbo is not lying, and Jimbo knows exactly how bad VT has been ths year on offense and special teams. Jimbo just does not want his team to be complacent, and does not want a repeat of the NC State game. Simple as that.
Hokie in SC: I get what you’re saying. I guess what I’m saying is that if I’m Jimbo and I want to prevent complacency, I embellish the actual strengths: “Their quarterback can kill you in the running game if you’re not careful, just run right plum over ya…That defense looks like it’s getting better and got a bunch of 3-and-outs against the Miami crowd in the second half…That crowd’ll be whipped up in a frenzy…etc.” I’d want my players focusing on things that could actually hurt me if I don’t (over)emphasize them. I do not mention special teams at all, because I don’t want my team preparing for the 2005 Hokies; I want ‘em preparing for the 2012 Hokies.
What Jimbo is saying behind closed doors is “Lose this one and we take your porsches, apartments and girls away”. That is motivation enough.
BTW: Rex Ryan today on the overrated poll: “I finally beat Belichick.” Well played, coach. Well played.
Guys,
I just read that Darrel Royal passed away.
I’d be careful talking too much smack about other schools’ alleged shadiness. I’ve driven by the Hokie parking lots, and seen players getting out of much sweeter rides than even David Wilson’s orange T-Bird, though I really don’t what could be sweeter than that cherry whip.
The same goes for academics & other facets of baller life. We all live in glass houses. Best not to rattle the windows.
Tech can win if:
FSU comes out flat and sloppy
Tech defence can score on a turnover
Logan Thomas completes some of the passes that he missed last week
I’m not saying they will, but the Seminoles have been known to choke on occasion.
CR, I’d say being down 20 – 0 to Duke and coming back was a “gut check moment”. And don’t say “it was only Duke”. Anyone who know anything about football knows if you’re down 20 – 0 in the 1st half you’re in trouble no matter who the opponent is.
I only ask one thing. If, by some chance, the Hokies do pull the upset, all of you nay sayers and pessimist come to the blog Friday and issue a mea cupla.
Tech can win. Just relax and play ball. The pressure to win has been building for weeks now and weighs heavy on their minds. They relax and play and good things will happen. Count on it.
Even if the Hokies win, it will not change my mind that there is a need for change. Period.
Don’t like it? Tough. Get over it. Drink some burbon.
Good work today, Blog Crowd. A couple of you made tomorrow’s column. You get zero credit by name, but you’re all using aliases anyway as you run from mounting paternity tests. And that is why I love you.
I mean it, though. Good work. Hadn’t intended to quote anything here tomorrow but you made it a must.
540, I can guarantee you that if Frank can get his boys to whip the Criminoles tomorrow night, I’ll be on here bright & early on Friday morning saying exactly this – ‘Thank goodness! Frank Beamer finally beat another Top Ten team! After all these years! Woo Hoo!…’
I’ll make sure to cut & paste to get it accurate.
Can Tech win? Under current conditions—no. What would it take? A new offensive staff with a better bphilosophy of how to use Logan Thomas,
a new special teams coach, and about three new defensive backs.
A miracle
An act of god/congress
The comments by Jimbo are symptomatic of the larger problem of coaches basing their opinion of VT on previous seasons. This is why VT is consistently been ranked higher than they should be the last several seasons. The D1 coaches that vote in the coaches poll believed the hype.
Can Tech beat the ‘Noles??
Tune in tomorrow night to the next episode of “Leave It To Beamer” to find out.
Here’s a preview of tomorrow nights action:
“Aw gee, Stiney, I just knew our guys wouldn’t execute…”
“Shut up ya little creep…you’re not hanging this mess on me….”
Let’s see….
A wish ……
A prayer ….
Well laid mine field in FSU endzone …..
A few chop blocks …….
Etc…and much more….
I would have said 0 chance but after the UVA head scratcher last weekend I give the Hokies a 5% chance to win. More importantly, 3K tickets available for a night game against a top ten FSU? If that isn’t trouble in paradise don’t know what is. Not to toot my own horn but I predicted 34-14 vs Miami and 4 TO’s…..I say tomorrow night 41- 13.hope I am wrong but doubt it.
Yes, VT can beat FSU. It will take relentless pressure on Manual and the Tech defense will have to limit FSU to 14 points. On the offensive side for Tech, focus like they haven’t done all year, especially Logan Thomas making accurate throws and mix in ploay action and some razzle dazzle plays. Establish the run and therefore create and effective passing game.
Of course an upset is possible, but not likely.
If VT can get lucky and build a 2 TD lead in the first half it’s possible. How often has this team had a lead that gave them some confidence? Austin Peay?
The offense can move the ball in space but in the redzone when the secondary compresses we just don’t have the talent on the line or particularly at running back to take advantage.
It’s sad really. I see us taking years to dig out of this hole if we can at all. Some programs don’t ever recover from a season like this. Might be too many holes in the talent pool to recover to the point we’re dominating the ACC. Where are we expected to get better? QB? WR? DB? RB? OL? Hopefully the coaches will prove me wrong. I hope so.
It’s going to take +3 turnovers to win, that’s my prognostication.
FSU comes in and takes us forgranted, it’s oold, they’re thinking about the beach as Knowles runs back a KR, Jarrett runs back a PR. Defense locks down and holds FSU to 14. Stiney goes all out with his gameplan and we win it 17-14 on a last second CJ FG. Word up.
Man!! Crooked road only posted 11 times….must be ill. Tisk, tisk…..
razzle dazzle = sizzle fizzle
Mike’s right, a miracle.
Aaron- I think Romero’s father is Hugo in Doug’s article
Oops, thanks watchdog. Fixed now.
It will take a Festivus Miracle.