These ‘Immediate Impressions’ posts are meant to be off-the-cuff reactions to recently completed Hokie football games. Usually I’m looking back at the game and giving you my gut reaction to what we’ve just seen from Virginia Tech football. Given where we are in this 2009 season, I’m going to change it up a bit this week. I’ll still provide some thoughts on the NC State game, but I’ll also start looking forward to one of the defining games of every season: the Virginia Tech vs Virginia football game.
A win over UVa is always one of the most satisfying wins of the year, and a loss is always devastating.
The game Saturday against NC State continued the Hokies 3 game trend of solid play both on offense and defense, all coming off the 2 game losing streak. Hearing the coaches comments it’s clear they savor this type of accomplishments: pulling your team off the carpet when many season goals are lost and getting positive results.
I read all the hoopla about the potential of the NC State offense coming into this game and will admit I was half bought into it. I expected the Wolfpack to put some scores up against VT, and after their first touchdown you had every reason to believe this could be a close game that would require a lot of Hokie points to win.
Turns out the Hokies got a lot of those points but really didn’t need them. Reflecting on the game I’m most impressed by the defense for showing real improvement. Let’s face it, many of us feared a 2003 type implosion coming out of the GT and UNC games, but Bud Foster has had none of it and as usual has patched together a top tier group. They are getting better as the season goes, not worse.
Virginia Tech Tickets | Virginia Tech Jerseys | Virginia Tech Apparel
Virginia Tech Sweatshirts | Virginia Tech Jackets | Virginia Tech Tailgate Gear
There aren’t spectacular players on this defense, 1st round NFL pick types, but it’s a group of solid players who can win their share of one-on-one battles and generally are cohesive enough to be in the right place at the right time. Getting turnovers and using blitzes to get sacks at key times generally made up for the yards they did give up.
As far as the offense, I personally think the key to the improvement and consistencies we’ve seen in the last 2 games have been the wide receivers. Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale specifically can get open and have developed good trust with Tyrod Taylor (you could add Dyrel Roberts to this group though he still drops too many balls). This slight improvement in the WR plays has improved the pass game enough to balance the offense out which in turn makes all the gears of the offense work better.
Finally, we finally saw the Wild Turkey thing. It is what it is.
Virginia Tech vs Virginia in Charlottesville
For some reason, this game has been on my mind a lot this season. In recent years as UVa’s program has sunk to ‘pathetic’ status, it’s been easy to not pay it much attention as other goals and games for the season take so much focus. It’s almost like the VT vs UVa game sneaks up on you just as you are figuring out the details of your Thanksgiving Day plans.
But I’ve had this sneaky feeling all year that this year’s rivalry game would end up being intriguing, suspenseful, or particularly meaningful, especially as the other Virginia Tech football goals for the season fell by the wayside. Now I could be wrong, VT could go up to Charlottesville this Saturday (with lots of Hokies in the stands) and demolish a UVa squad who ends up looking like the squad who’s packed it in and led by a coach who’s on his way out the door.
I don’t think that will happen, and I think Virginia, to use the cliché, will “make this their bowl game”. This will be Al Groh’s “last stand”, last home game, last chance to stick it to Frank Beamer and the Hokies, the program which has consistently and clearly made his program look so inferior in the state of Virginia.
I read that in Virginia’s game vs Clemson on Saturday, the playbook was opened, as Groh tried several trick plays, various formations including the wildcat, and 3 different QBs in an effort to let it all hang out. It worked moderately well, and I see no reason why he wouldn’t do that and more at home this weekend against the Hokies.
I’m a big believer in irony, and it would certainly be ironic if Virginia and Al Groh, in the midst of their worst and final year together, finished the season by beating Virginia Tech who at one time was in the top 5. It’s the type of thing that happens in college football, and I can see it happening this Saturday if circumstances are right.
I haven’t read the line yet on the VT vs UVa game, but I’m guessing VT will be close to a 3 TD favorite. I’m hoping I’m just paranoid and that the coaches will prepare the players to continue their strong play on offense and defense. VT can get ahead on Virginia early, establish themselves as the better team, and quickly let it set in with the Wahoo players that they are what they are, a bad team playing their last game.
But don’t be surprised if this rivalry game is close. Turnovers, crazy trick plays you haven’t seen all year, big plays on special teams or special teams blunders, or exposure of the VT weakness that do exist are all real possibilities that worry me. Let’s not let Al Groh get his last stand and let’s not turn this game into one of those ‘irony’ games that give UVa their bowl win. I’m gonna puke if I have to watch Groh carried out on players shoulders.
For those of you going to the game, please do like we did in College Park MD and bring back a win.
Go Hokies!!
 |
 VT Virginia Tech Season Football Tickets  US $1,350.00
|
 2 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs James Madison Dukes TICKETS US $94.00
|
 2 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs East Carolina Pirates Tickets US $91.99
|
 2 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES vs Central Michigan Tickets US $80.53
|
 Virginia Tech Hokies vs James Madison Dukes Tickets US $91.00
|
 4 VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES UVA CAVALIERS TICKETS 11 27 US $449.99
|
| Add eBay Auctions to your Website |
Enjoy this post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed and never miss another! Or sign up to get exclusive VirginiaTechFan.com Sports Analysis delivered straight to your inbox!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I can see that happening as well although I think our players finally are understanding that every game is now “bowl game” whenever playing a lesser team. I have been saying that for the last 4 or 5 seasons. These are the games that make me look back and say what if. What if our offense scores early in the GT and UNC games? Same thing really happened this week as well as the ECU game to an extent. We scored early and put the other team into catch up (one dimensional/throwing). Foster’s defenses have always thrived in that role. We are always a better “get a lead” team especially with our typical run first mentality. I will say this team is together (good team chemistry) and plays very hard. I do not yet have a feeling one way or another for this weeks game but I see a VT blowout or UVA has everything go their way and BS calling a bad game. Won’t even finish that one. BS is learning to stick with the run more even if it is the same play over and over.
I’m with you on the UNC and GT games, seems every year you really regret a few losses. But I’m telling you, the closer it gets to Saturday, the more I just want to get out with a win.
Just nervous about this game. BooVa has nothing to lose. And even though it will be Lane Stadium north, still scares me. I will be happy just to win.