A colossal Coastal opener for Hokies, Jackets
After months of talk, it’s finally game day. Here are a few things to get you prepared for the Hokies’ long-awaited season opener:
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook. I’ll be tweeting updates up to the start of the game and throughout.
** If you forgot, tonight Georgia Tech will take on Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium. It’ll be televised by ESPN and kickoff is set for the very specific time of 8:01 p.m. The Hokies are ranked 20th by the coaches and 16th by the Associated Press. The Yellow Jackets are unranked.
** Here’s today’s game advance. If you didn’t know by now, this is a fairly big game in the Coastal Division.
How big? Here’s a line from the story: “The winner of this game has represented the Coastal Division in the ACC championship game all seven years it has existed, with Virginia Tech winning five times (2005, ’07, ’08, ’10, ’11) and Georgia Tech twice ( ’06, ’09).”
** I did an extensive breakdown of the matchups yesterday on the blog. My pick: Virginia Tech 27, Georgia Tech 23. Feel free to criticize/ridicule that pick in the comments section.
** The line, for entertainment purposes, looks like it has gone up to 7.5 points at most places. Was 7 yesterday.
** The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain at gametime. A friendly reminder from Virginia Tech: no umbrellas are allowed in the stadium, so bring your rain gear.
** It looks like senior Michael Via will start at right guard in place of Brent Benedict. Offensive line coach Curt Newsome said both will rotate in during the game, but Via is the more experienced of the two. For a line lacking starting experience, that could help.
** This is the first time the Hokies have opened the season with a conference game since beating N.C. State 20-16 in Raleigh to start the 2005 season. Tech went to the ACC title game that year but lost to Florida State.
** Since many have asked, the ESPN announcers for tonight’s game are Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman and Quint Kessenich.
** From the useless info department: the Hokies are 5-0 under Frank Beamer when wearing tonight’s uniform combination: maroon helmets, orange jerseys, white pants, blacks socks/shoes.
September 3, 2012 - 9:02 AM
I’m really excited about tonight’s match up.
GT by 4
Hokies by 10…23-13 @gtbowyer
I already made my predictions. I really don;’t think “Colossal” is the right word. It isn’t THAT important. History is not always a predictor of the future and there are a whole bunch of games to be played after this one. It is so easy to overstate what any game means.
All that said, I really want us to kick butt tonight. Not because I have anything against GT. I just want us to shut up the naysayers and our own doubting Thomas’.
If it turns out that we stink, well, we stink. I do not believe that will be the case. 8 straight seasons at 10 wins or better suggests that we just reload like a bunch of others.
HOKIES !!!!!!!!
8 straight seasons playing nobodies for OC games. If you did play 1 top 5 team a year, you have lost. Bragging means nothing.
I hope Tech wins…!!!!…lol
Because of the rain VT will win this game
Hey, Truth be told!
I guess that Alabama (The eventual Nat. Champion) game we played a few years ago in the Georgia Dome was a push-over. Also we played LSU, Boise State and Nebraska in the past years to. So please get your facts straight please. As far as bragging, I will take 8 straight years of 10 win season and being in the ACC Championship Game numerous years and 4-time ACC Championship since joining the ACC. I guess 4 time Champion out the past seven years is pretty pityful. I’m guessing your a UVA fan so I won’t make you mad about mentioning the number years we have held the Commonwealth Cup the past 8 years and 12yrs. out of the past 13yrs. Just saying, not BRAGGING! TRUTH BE TOLD is that clear enough for you! Just reminisce about 2003 and 1998 when you held the our Cup!
I am guaranteeing a hokies win tonight! I am so sure i did an article detailing why and how you can bet it right here!! so come check it out and enjoy!! http://ncaasportsnews.com/the-battle-of-the-techs/
Both teams have to play in the same field conditions. Stop trying to make excuses before the game even starts. Playing in the rain isn’t going to be easy for either team.