Wow. This Washington Post article really caught me off guard. I was just talking about Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster’s future with a coworker of mine. I just assumed that Bud was the defacto heir to the Virginia Tech Head Coaching throne once Frank Beamer calls it a career. But, Frank is only 61 years old, so as long as he stays healthy and continues to enjoy his job, he could conceivably coach for another five, 10 even 15 years. That being said, I do not think Bud can wait that long, nor should he.

If his goal is to become a head football coach at a big time Division I-A program, he has all of the credentials and has more than earned a shot. Like most Hokie football fans, I would love to see him stay for selfish reasons, but it is like having a talented player who plays the required three seasons and then bolts for the NFL … you want him to stay because your team will be better, but you wish the guy the best and can’t blame him for leaving.

I was a bit surprised that Bud has not had more high profile offers. I always assumed (yeah, I know…) that he was getting offers every year from decent programs, but quietly turned them down. It would appear, having read this article, that unless you shamelessly promote yourself, teams won’t generally give you a call. That is a shame … well, a shame for the big time programs looking for HCs, but great for Hokies football fans and players!

Bud, we would love to keep you, but if you truly want to be a head coach, we wish you the best! And, uh, thanks for turning down UVA … can you imagine Chris Long in a Bud Foster-managed defense? Holy shnikes.

This weekend’s game against Miami may not mean anything in the ACC title chase, but it means something to both teams. The Hokies, particularly the guys on the team that were part of the 2005 embarrassing home loss to the ‘Canes, want this game. They remember what happened two years ago and the seniors especially are taking this game seriously - it is their final home game.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are looking at the possibility of missing a bowl game for the first time in 10 years. Granted it would be a lame bowl even if they win their final two games and finish 7-5, but you would think that they would be playing for a modicum of pride, right?

Well, judging from Randy Shannon’s quotes in the news, I am not sure the players are getting the proper motivation from the coaching staff. Don’t get my wrong, I like Randy Shannon and his story is nothing short of a miracle for all of the obstacles and trials he has overcome. But the following quote left me a little stunned:

“As I told those guys in the locker room after the game, if you shut it down now in life, when you leave college you’re always going to be a guy that’s going to shut it down and be a loser,” Shannon said. “So you’ve got two games left. Don’t go out and be a loser.”

Don’t go out and be a loser. Wow. If that doesn’t motivate you, check your pulse. Are you serious coach Shannon? That is your down-the-stretch and save-what’s-left-of-your-pride speech? Don’t go out and be a loser?

I think the key phrase in that quote is “if you shut it down.” Coach, you just suffered the worst home loss in 60 years. You got smacked around to the tune of 48-0 to a team that lost to Wyoming and barely beat MTSU, UConn and Wake Forest. UVA’s last four wins have been by a combined 5 points. And you let them score 48 in the final game ever played in your stadium? Sounds to me like your team has already shut it down.

That being said, this is still Miami and one of two things is going to happen Saturday afternoon in Lane Stadium: Either 1) Virginia Tech continues to roll on both sides of the ball and hands the ‘Canes another crushing defeat; or 2) The Canes somehow manage to salvage their pride and season and pull off a huge upset.

Initially I thought that this game would be closer than the 17-point spread, but the more I think about it, I see our players with more motivation than the ‘Canes, even though the game means nothing in terms of the ACCCG race.

Shane! I think the X-factor that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere is that this marks the first time in the Beamer Bowl Era (circa 1993, my freshman year) that Tech fans will get to take a shot at FSU. This is the first time since we arrived on the scene that fans will be able to show the ‘Noles a whole other level of football madness and crowd noise. They have heard about it, but even the teams who say they are prepared for it and that it won’t affect them, let it affect them.I truly believe that this game will rival the ‘99 Syracuse and ‘03 Miami game in terms of crowd participation. It is perfect Blacksburg weather and I feel a storm rising in Lane Stadium and it will come crashing down on the ‘Noles with one relentless wave after another pounding away at their game plan, their confidence and their morale. I envision post game interview with FSU players shaking their heads in disbelief while sunken back in their lockers repeating the words, “Man, they were loud. I couldn’t hear anything. I’ve never played in a stadium like that.”

I see Weatherford, huddled in the trainers room, flinching every time he hears footsteps coming around corner, shellshocked from the brutality he just endured.

I see Deddy Bowden on the phone with son Tommy who is consoling his dad, telling him that it is okay and at least they didn’t lose on their home field … again.

I see Beamer slapping that monkey on this back and we can quote him saying “It’s about damn time, isn’t it?” and the whole press corps will burst out in laughter, which will lead the SportsCenter highlights.

I see Glennon and Tmobile grinning ear to ear while being asked questions about their dual backfield set in the red zone with the direct snap to Tmobile who rolls right while Glennon slips through the line undetected and into the middle where Tmobile delivers a perfect strike to Glennon who falls across the goal line for what proves to be the game-winning TD. This highlight is a landslide winner of the Pontiac Game Changing Performance.

Lastly, when Bowden finally retires, he will cite Lane Stadium as the toughest road game he, or any other coach, has ever played in. The guys at Tailgatefever.com rejoice and all legally change their names to Beamerball Forever.

Hmmmm, that might be a bit too much to ask for. How about a double digit win? No? A win? OK, it’s settled, we’ll win. Who cares what the score is.

OK, I went back to the game tape and here is what I came up with statistically:

• 68 total defensive plays (that I found)
• 60 defensive plays featured 4-man rush (or more)
• 8 defensive plays featured a 3-man rush
• 2 of the 3-man rushes occurred during the game-winning drive (out of 6 total plays)
• The game winning touchdown was during a 3-man rush

So, Bud was a little off on his estimate of running a 3-man rush 12 times, but, I have to admit I was a little surprised that there were only two 3-man rushes on the final drive. Bud balanced his 3-man rushes to four per half.

There’s no shame in admitting you are wrong - though I believe there is a bit of humiliation that goes with it - but no shame! That being said, after further review, the call on the field has been reversed. Bud was not running a prevent defense … buuuuut it sure seemed like it!