2008.11.30
Tech-BC is a pick 'em game
Well, it's only fitting that Saturday's 2008 ACC Championship Game in Tampa, Fla., pitting Virginia Tech and Boston College is a toss-up affair.
Heck, the ACC has been a toss-up all season.
The opening betting line out of Las Vegas a few minutes ago had the Hokies and Eagles rated as a pick 'em game.
The spread sounds about right here, although some may have figured Atlantic Division winner BC (9-3) would be a slight favorite. After all, the Eagles are ranked 18th in Sunday's latest AP poll and 17th in the BCS standings. Meanwhile, the Hokies were second among teams in voting points that didn't make the AP rankings and 25th in the BC standings.
The two teams will be meeting for the fourth time in a span of 14 months.
Last year, an unbeaten BC team came to Blacksburg unbeaten and beat the 3-point favored Hokies on a late touchdown pass by Matt Ryan. The Hokies got even in the ACC title game in Jacksonville, Fla., whipping the Eagles 30-16 as a 4-point chalk.
This year, Tech was a 5.5-point underdog in the regular-season meeting in Boston. Despite five turnovers, BC won that game, 28-23.
-- Randy King
AD Weaver: 12 days ago, you launched the trial balloon on "trying to learn" about Texas' HC-in-waiting agreement in order to possibly offer it to Coach Foster. You launched the trial balloon and the Hokie Nation overwhelmingly agreed in favor of it. That is except for the 62-year old Beamer's expected lukewarm response.
Tomorrow, Clemson will announce Dado Sweeney as their HC. You better be able to deliver the goods immediately on this HC-in-waiting agreement. You better have moved beyond the "trying to learn" phase and move into the "signing-on-the-dotted-line" phase. You've had 12 days -- that's plenty of time.
Yes, VT is busy this week prepping for the ACC Championship. But, signing a HC-in-waiting agreement immediately to prevent Foster from leaving elsewhere is of more long-term significance to VT than whether we are going to play in the OB this year.
The sight of Coach Foster running down the sidelines at the end of the UVA game (and his trademark lunchpail) IS the complete essence of VT football. Now that Clemson is going to select Sweeney, you better not blow it and miss an opportunity to ink Foster for this HC-in-waiting agreement that he truly deserves.
If the 58-year old Mack Brown (who has won a NC at UT) can agree to a HC-in-waiting agreement, then surely Beamer at 62 years (and no NC trophy) can see that Coach Foster is the future of VT football.
Comment by hokie nation — November 30, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Good quote on ESPN's ACC website about Coach Foster:
"It's time the man behind the machine got some credit. Foster's defense has been the key all season, and was again in the 17-14 win over rival Virginia that sent the Hokies to the ACC championship game for the third time in four years."
Comment by hokie nation — November 30, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
DO THE DEAL!!! Sign Bud Foster as the coach in waiting at Virginia Tech and give him more money now. He is far and away the best coach at Tech, he is the person that fans know and appreciate. Coach Beamer says that he deals in results, Coach Foster has the results, better than any other coach on the staff. This year he has a nationally ranked defense that is playing seven new starters. Any decent recruit that plays defense should want to come to Tech and play for Coach Foster. If there is some kind of state law that would prevent this action, it needs to be told and something done about it. If not, DO THE DEAL!!!
Comment by Frank — December 1, 2008 @ 7:36 am
Coach Beamer's assessment for Virginia Tech's success over the years has been continuity. Continuity sets your philosophy in how you play and who you recruit. What better way to insure that continuity for years to come than to make Bud Foster the HC in waiting? DO THE DEAL!!!
Comment by Ken — December 1, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Greg Roberts brought up a point the other day. Can a deal be done legally?? After all these are state jobs......
Comment by David — December 2, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
That we are in this game Saturday is a complement to our coaches and players. They have done a very good job of getting us to this game. Now that we are there we need to win the game. Good luck to our team and our coaches.
Two problem questions arise from this situation. If we don't win it seems that the bowl selection people will choose us 3rd or 4th choice out of the ACC. Also it was written and said that Ga. Tech would be the favorite to win the ACC next year. We defeated them this year even though it was before some people think that they got going good. It is amazing the way that they are able to run the ball, especially when the other team knows that they are going to run it.
We should be good next year also. Don't count us out of the race.
GO HOKIES!!!
Comment by Frank — December 3, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Frank, I think the ACC will be a very good conference in 2009. In our division, Ga. Tech, Miami, UNC and the Hokies will all be good. It should be a real dog fight. In the other division, all of the schools will be in contention (although I'm not sure about Maryland). I think everyone should look out for NC State. That Wilson kid at QB looks like the real deal. I think the fact that 10 of the 12 ACC teams are bowl eligible and all 12 are in the top 51 in the Sagirin (sp?) rankings proves that the early season criticism of the conference was unfounded. The NFL would love to have parity like the ACC in 2008.
Comment by Justafan — December 3, 2008 @ 4:24 pm