I'm going to be more bold than normal, probably call some people out. I wish I had done it more in last week's post, because you had to see this coming, right? Bettors call it the "contrarion" pick, i.e. going against public sentiment - and it can be very lucrative. Yes, there was WAY too much of this "Miami is back" talk, too much media hype, and a top 10 ranking. Too many talking heads, too much declaration of the "swagger" being back, all when it was way too early with way too little evidence to do so.
As so often happens, a team and its players hear too much of themselves, they hear every expert picking them to win, and they expect it to be a for gone conclusion. When the game is played, it never is.
"To Be The Man You Got To Beat The Man"
I heard this saying several places so I won't attribute it anywhere, but to me it described this game perfectly. With Miami supposedly "back" and ACC media darling status, this game was really about Miami legitimizing all of this. If Miami wants to be all those things, especially the new ACC king of the hill (albeit a pretty small hill), they needed to beat the current king - Virginia Tech.
After Saturday's dismantling of the U in Blacksburg, its clear of the ACC king of the hill is this the Hokies.
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So I'm here to ask, why were so many talking heads so quick to jump on Miami's resurgence? I wasn't at the game, so I watched plenty of pre-game TV on Saturday. I'm calling out all those that picked Miami to win handily: Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreet, Mark May, Lou Holtz on ESPN. Jesse Palmer on ABC. Mel Kiper on ESPN radio. Heck, even Hokie ultra-smart guys like Will Stewart and Chris Coleman at TechSideline.com didn't expect VT to win.
And based on what? They won at FSU on a dropped TD pass in the end zone as time expired. They beat Georgia Tech handily at home. Those are nice wins, but how impressive are they really? Are 2 wins over good teams enough proclaim them a top 10 team?
BeamerBall
I think Frank Beamer would win every football game like this if he could. That game was his formula. A lot of running plays, a few long passes, a bunch of scrambles by an athletic quarterback, several defensive turnovers, and a blocked punt. When it works, it works well. The only question is, does it always work at the best teams?
I said in last week's post that if you come in a favorite to Lane Stadium, you will p*ss off Beamer and Foster. I don't have any doubt Foster was extra motivated this week. I also saw this game playing out like the 2006 Clemson game, and it did almost to a play. Lots of yards running, a stiffling defense, and shutting down of a top 10 ACC team.
Other Notes:
- Miami simply didn't look like they wanted to be there after the 2nd series. They look like they got hit in the mouth, then it was "where is my poncho".
- What was up with Jacory Harris changing his jersey? Something psychological?
- The 2 dropped passes by the Miami TE Graham in the 3rd quarter were huge. If Miami scores to cut it to 21-14, who know what happens.
- Same thing with the 2 muffed/deflected punts. VT got huge breaks jumping on those.
- How you would screw up punt protection going into a game at Lane Stadium is baffling.
- I still believe our DBs are the strength of the team.
What's Going on In Bristol?
I heard lots of talk about why ESPN GameDay was in Happy Valley for the Penn State - Iowa game Saturday instead of a perceived bigger game in Blacksburg. I can understand to a degree ESPN wanting a least one date in State College, PA because its a great atmosphere.
But now I read they are going to Chesnut Hill for the Boston College vs Florida State game? Huh?
There aren't great options, but certainly better games than that, for example USC vs Cal or Oklahoma vs Miami.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
They are going to BC to raise cancer awareness. Good cause, I can give them a pass on that.
Going to Happy Valley last weekend? I dunno. Once they had committed to the concept that Va Tech was getting rolled, (and let’s face it, a whole lot of Hokie fans, me included, thought they would), the Penn St game sounded more competitive.
I did not anticipate BS and his players actually getting together a good game plan and executing.
I was sitting behind the Miami bench. You are right, they did not want to be there!
It was beautiful!
Going to BC for cancer awareness makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.