Hey Hokie fans. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, I haven’t posted a recap or highlights from Saturday’s 20-30 loss to Florida State. Not because I’m lazy or haven’t had time … it’s that I’m still trying to calm myself after two back-to-back embarrassments on national television.
It is a good thing we played UNC and Georgia Tech earlier in the season because both of those teams appear to be picking up steam, even with the Jackets’ loss to the Hoos, who are also surging and look to be a serious threat for the Hokies.
Gone are the Hokies’ hopes at a third ACC title. They have two conference losses and have a realistic shot at finishing 6-6 or even worse, 5-7. Next up for the Hokies is No. 25 Maryland on Thursday, Nov. 6. The game is in Blacksburg and the Terps have been hot and cold this season, so who knows which team will show up. Hopefully the Hokies show up.
After that, the Hokies are on the road for another Thursday night game against the down, but not out Canes, then back home for back to back Saturday matchups with Duke (which beat Vandy this week) and Virginia, which is on a tear and playing exceptional defense – not good news for our anemic offense.
I’ll have more later this week. Just wanted to let you know that we’re still here – just recovering from a horrible weekend.
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I read your updates all the time, and this is the first one that has made me angry…
We technically control our own destiny, meaning we just have to win the rest of the season, and our schedule is on the down as far as difficulty goes.
If not for the two injuries of Taylor and Glennon or the roughing the passer call, the game would’ve been ours, and that is the most difficult game we have on our schedule.
Also, our offense was on fire (relatively) for the first half of the FSU game.
You are really a downer, how is this criticism constructive?
With GT and UNC losing, we are in the running, and with the offense we had before losing Glennon, we may be past mediocrity for the first time this season…
Keep that chin up.
Our offense was on fire? You consider 243 yards, our second lowest total of the season (and only three yards better than our lowest offensive output against Boston College), as being “on fire?” You, my friend, have truly low standards.
Technically, everyone controls their own destiny if all they do is win. You talk about “if” our two QBs didn’t get hurt and “if” not for the roughing the kicker penalty, that Tech would have won that game. Well, conversely, “if” GT and UNC hadn’t committed stupid personal fouls in the fourth quarter of those games, they would have won. Sports is all about “ifs” but a win is a win and a loss is a loss.
I’m not a downer, I’m a realist. And the reality of the current situation is that the Hokies are looking at very average season at best. Our final four opponents all have winning records, even Duke. Maryland and Virginia are playing lights out and Miami is always tough in their house. Shoot, Duke went TO Vanderbilt and won, so you can’t overlook Duke this season.
I’m not sure where you get that UNC lost … they CRUSHED Boston College this weekend … destroyed the Eagles.
It’s not our job to give constructive criticism – that’s the coaches’ jobs. My job is to call it like I see it and the way I see it, Tech could easily finished 6-6 or even 5-7.
However, I think they’ll be able to pull enough together to win at least two more games to finish 7-5, which would mark their lowest win total since the 1997-1998 season … 11 years.
Get a grip.
The kids are playing to the best of their ability. I was very impressed with the way they competed against Fla St on Saturday. Their effort was impressive. Put youself in their shoes(remember that they are 18, and 19 years old). You lose your 2 top qb’s in 2.5 quarters. You will lose some wind. I do not believe the season is lost. Cory is a very capable QB, and Boone has the best arm of any QB on the roster. If we get down to Ju Ju, he is a heck of an athelete. We run the ball right down Maryland’s throat, play light’s out defense, and fix a couple of things on special teams. We are very capable of winning out. We are very close to being 7-1 at this point. We will prevail! We are Virginia Tech!
I said the first half, bro. And I said relatively.
Don’t misquote me.
And I know the game is based on ‘ifs,’ I believe what I was trying to say was that it was a glimmer of hope, at least to me, that our receivers were actually making catches, especially against a fairly stout defense, and that our play calling was not-as-stupid. So IF we played the rest of that game that well and IF we hadn’t lost our quarterbacks, we would have been in the running. Not that it matters for that game — it matters for FUTURE games. So IF we have our quarterbacks back for the Maryland game, hopefully they will make a difference in the long run. Our offense improved, or at least progress is being amounted. Yes, we were stifled when our THIRD STRING came in. So the 243 yds is a misleading quote when referencing my initial comment — we were on fire (relatively) in the first half. CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP.
Poke some actual holes in my argument.
I meant the UNC loss to UVA.
My standards aren’t low, I’m just not such a downer as everyone else. It’s easy for everyone to sit in the stands or on their couch and spit vitriol at the hokies, and call them embarrassing and anemic, but when I look at it, I see two things: one. The BC was a bit embarrassing, not the FSU game — both games we were underdogs going in. two. We didn’t get trounced in either game — we haven’t lost be more than ten points this year, hardly an ass kicking. Also our schedule is pretty tough, especially for a young team.
And I agree that our criticism doesn’t have to be constructive, but seriously… when things this season happen like the booing of Glennon, and then all of the venom that is laced through the media in reference to the Hokies, I have a very, very low threshold for negativity.
The hokies always get the short end of the stick when it comes to props — no one ever gives them credit, which makes hate the slagging of them by THE FANS WHO WATCH THEM even more.
And you obviously don’t have a grasp on what ‘control our own destiny means.’ Of course teams that only win control their own destiny. The Hokies haven’t only won, they’ve lost, so one of two things would have to happen: one. they have it good enough that they can win out the rest of the season or two. they have to hope someone else loses. And they have the first one, which is what I (and most other people who coin that phrase) mean. It is only up to the Hokies whether or not they go to the ACC championship. They don’t have to catch a break by someone else losing.
I’ll still read your blog but it doesn’t do any harm mentioning some good things every once in a while.
First, I think you make some valid points upon clarification. Second, I am working on a “down the stretch” article that will highlight the positives heading into the Maryland game.
Now, onto my rebuttal….
Perhaps you missed my season preview article in which I seriously predicted that the Hokies would go undefeated. I was as positive as you could possibly imagine and people (Hokie fans) ripped me for being unrealistic.
I do mention good things about most of the games, even when they lose. The defense is always a source of “good” things to mention. But when the last two games have resulted in losses and the two worst offensive performances of the season and the loss of your top two quarterbacks, it’s kind of tough to point out the positives.
Let me be clear, I’m not criticizing the players. I give them credit for going out there week in and week out and giving everything they have for the team and the fans. The defense is fine – no serious complaints there. Sure, they miss tackles, but they miss a lot less than most teams, so that doesn’t bother me. They can’t be perfect all of the time.
The lack of production on the offense is purely coaching and scheme. No need to rehash that as we’ve beaten it to death.
You talk about how no one is giving the players credit. First, the defense is getting a lot credit because without them, the games aren’t as close. As for the offense, other than effort, dedication and perserverance, what should we give them credit for when the coaching and schemes continually handcuff them?
We’re talking about a unit that is ranked No. 113 in the total offense out of 119 teams; and dead last in total offense in the ACC. Tech doesn’t have a RB with a 100-yard game this season, nor has a wide receiver caught a TD pass.
The offense has given up 23 sacks this year, the most by any ACC team (by six) and the sixth most in all of FBS (DI-A) teams.
Yes, the receivers are making more catches, and in the first half of the FSU game Glennon was hitting open guys. Statistically speaking, it was probably their best passing half of the season. But outside of glimpses of consistency, this offense has struggled.
The players and their play don’t bother me, it’s the coaching staff’s inability or unwillingness to make adjustments around their talent in an effort to improve.
Is the season lost? No, not at all. Can we win out? Sure, anything is possible. Based on the offense’s play this season and the level of competition remaining, I think it would be overly optimistic. I think 2-2 is more realistic.
I think some Hokies mistake what I think will happen with what I want to happen. I want Tech to beat everyone they play, but only a couple of teams can do that each year, so the odds are, we’re going to lose at least a couple each year as we have the last seven years.
First, I won’t hassle you any more than this. Second, I think we agree, for the most part.
I appreciate you taking the time to clarify your stances in your rebuttal. I think Stinespring’s performance is unraveling the fabric a little bit for all of us. I have trouble blaming Beamer for not firing him mid-year — something that a lot of Hokies are calling for. It is riskier to get someone new than sticking with a familiar but flawed scheme, at least in my opinion. That said, Stinespring had better be out at the end of this year or there will be an exodus of fans.
Also, I appreciate you working on a ‘down the stretch’ piece, because I think people need to be reminded of the positives of a rebuilding year.
There’s not much more we can do beside keep looking up.
-Sorry if I came off as overly retaliatory in my initial comment — I like this blog. I have never blogged, so I don’t know, but can imagine, how difficult it is to please everyone.
How does one go about starting a blog? Because I’d like to.
Thanks.
(a hokie one)
We just flat out beat ourselves against FSU.. Not just our youngsters, but some of our veterans. Two big plays given up by Macho, going for the interception instead of knocking it down. A horrible coaching call to go after the punt when were only up by 3, and were about to get the ball back. A fumble on the kick return.. Our defense was playing phenomonal up until that point, they could not move the ball anywhere us. But, never the less, I just have a gut feeling that we’re going to be ok. Cory Holt looked ok against FSU, he wasn’t great, and need’s improvement, but I’m confident he can provide us with a win against Maryland at home. Honestly, I’d rather have him taking snaps over Sean. Sean seems to be better coming in, in the middle of a game, rather than starting it. As far as the Miami game, Tyrod should be back then, and if you look at Miami’s Defense they have been giving up a lot of points against their opponents. I like, I love our chances at home against UVgay, and Duke, our defense will be able to dominate both of their offenses. We are in prime contention for the Coastal Division, as long as we win out we will be back where we belong. Let’s all just stay positive, and not have a melt down.. GO HOKIES!
The only thing you picking us to go undefeated and now 6-6, 5-7 tells us is that you are emotional and prone to hyperbole.
You know, I was REALLY PROUD of how our guys stuck in there against Florida State! I mean, yes, it’s painful to have two losses in a row, but this one didn’t bother me so much. Yes, we had some key turnovers by youngsters, yes we made some mistakes in the secondary and on the offensive line, but all in all, I was impressed by the character our team showed, especially in the final frame.
After losing our top two quarterbacks and committing silly turnovers and penalties, the team could have given up (especially because of their youth), but they didn’t. They stuck in there and fought! They actually rallied behind Cory Holt (who by the way looked very good compared to the guy who threw a pick six to Vince Hall on the first play of the spring game two years ago) and made it a game again.
So forget the fact we lost. I know it’s hard, but this game was a much less painful loss than the one to BC the week before! IN that game we were out-coached, plain and simple (plus Tyrod and our young receivers were terrible), but in this week, the coaching was good (minus the call to go for the punt block considering we were up 13-10 and Macho had been doing a decent job of picking up yards on the return all day) and like I said, the players did a good job of never calling it quits.
Certainly it’s always hard to lose, but in this case there were some tangible lessons and things to build off of and take away. I saw some things that I liked out of the young Hokies. Yes, we might finish 6-6, I hope not 5-7, but based on what I saw on Saturday, we can’t be too distressed.
And yes, for all you naysayers who said it couldn’t be done, CHICAGOMAROON HAS POSTED A POSITIVE COMMENT! If I do have one complaint, I would like to see Sean get another chance at the job, or at least a 2-qb deal (which would be more practical). It certainly was apparent that our receivers were more comfortable with a competent quarterback throwing them the ball rather than a guy who looks like he’s walking on hot coals in the pocket and runs right into the rush more often than Pacman Jones runs into trouble with the law.
Yes, Glennon looked terrible in the first game, but it’s hard to pin everything on him with the young cast of receivers playing their first games and let Tyrod skirt that same criticism. I really think it would help the team and Tyrod as well.
I completely agree with james on the firing of brian stinespring.
Our o-line is mediocre at best. But do you guys truly believe Frank Beamer will step up and fire stinespring this off season? i sure hope so.