Thehoodore

Duke (ACCCG) Dukes (CFP bound) Duke's (Mayo Bowl?) . . . Dukes of Hurl 🤢 ** Edited by Thehoodore at 12/7/2025, 12:13:34 AM

moment in each journey. Both have had great success but haven't been able to reel in "the big one". Both have been stung by hard times. Both are young and hungry in football years, so to speak. Both have been spurned by the so-called know-it-alls. It's great for both Franklin and Virginia Tech and for all the student athletes and families and may others who can make the thing happen. It will be good to see VT strong, and it'll add real lustre to the ACC. Way to go.

I was there and still can't believe it.

Even in a tough year, Drones is somehow managing some interesting stats. He's about 240 passing yards short of his career best in 2023 and presumably could get that in his final game. He is one passing TD short of his career best (17). And, he already has 3 more rushing TDs (9) than his prior best. His passer rating is in the 120s, not great, not horrible. He has 16 passing TDs to 7 INTs, better than 2:1. (Morris, by comparison, certainly grades out better, but has 14 passing TDs to 7 INTs.) It's hard to get a read on Drones, but I can't say he can't be a factor tonight, even a game-deciding factor. We'll see.

where VPI had a losing record entering the game. UVA lost one of those (the 20+ loss a few years ago when I think you had 3 wins), and had one big win under Welsh like 38-0 (1992 or 1991?). The other games were UVA wins but by less than 7 points in each affair (stuff like 41-38, 16-14, or some such). The Kam Robinson loss may not even up the talent situation, but he wasn't there in the NCSU loss and he made the game winning plays against Cal and WASSU. That's a lot of impact that's parked tomorrow night. I don't personally know what a Texas kid like Morris will do on a 30 degree night at game time, or our receivers trying to make cuts and catches to keep chains moving. But we'll see. More than anything, I'm focused on the Drones/Watson platoon opportunity mixed with a heavy dose of runs with short and intermediate throwing to manage clock and circumstances to put the game in winnable position late. How would UVA respond in that situation -- I don't know. Finally, the Wake loss. Win that game, and UVA would be playing this game in a very different mindset, ie, zero ACCCG pressure, etc. Now, we have two monkeys on our backs. We'll see what it all boils down to...

It's just not a simple proposition for us, esp with VPI, so I'm in low key mode. Gotta see it to believe it, but I'm not being negative. Just happy for Franklin and VP right now. Sometimes the right thing happens. Tomorrow is time enough for the contest, I'm looking to see if he pulls in another dude or two today!

We're delighted for VPI getting Franklin and it's a blast watching the recruiting blow up. As soon as Franklin was let go at PSU, I wrote on our board that VPI was a perfect destination. And it is. Franklin deserves to be loved back and he has found a great home in Bburg. More than that, though, the VPI brand in football is still very much a national brand, and a key to ACC value. Coach Franklin, a young guy in coach years really, should reset the floor at 9 wins and top 20 and go from there. Hardest thing for Hoos to embrace -- a strong Hokie football tide raises ALL boats. We're curious in my house what the style will be under his leadership. If the RB ("Messiah" -- what a name!) and OLine pulls are any indication, I'm thinking a return to power running, pro style offense. I'll be very curious to see how he wants to do things defensively as well. It's hard for me to know Fontel is in Blacksburg but, again, one has to go were one is appreciated. All good. But I also wonder about Marques Hagans and, gulp, Anthony Poindexter. They're going to be in play. Not that you need either, but those two ending up there would break spirits for some of us. We'll see. Finally, tomorrow's game. Good luck. The ugly part of the game (I can't call it a rivalry on 2 wins in 25 years) has never interested me. I admire great ball, and the Hokies play it. My hope is you guys rise up to what you are supposed to be in that game but that, yes, we have the lead when the clock hits 0:00. For UVA to beat VPI, it should take a great effort. That's my hope tomorrow -- for the Commonwealth to be lifted up by a great showcase game. Let's gooooo.

UVA alum and fan here and I can't see how a Franklin hire doesn't check every single box. Maybe one shouldn't marry him, but he can be a special leader for your program and that's the consensus of just about every single expert to weigh in. Just saying . . .