The First Bank & Trust Virginia Tech Mailbag: Keys To Success, Three Star Players & More

Related Recruits

24 Comments

1. 

   MYNAMEISHOKIE August 26, 2023 at 10:17 PM

   "UMass and New Mexico State in primetime? Sure, what the heck!" That was the right decision for sure, this game has been fantastic!
2. 

   SkykingHokie August 26, 2023 at 8:29 PM

   Early last year… when we saw that our OLine couldn’t over-match Wofford and ODU… we knew it was going to be a long bad season. And we may see similar results early this season from the OL. Even so, the better offensive weapons, the more experienced coaches and QB … and the improved D will make us a better team. If we can get improved OL play as well, we’ll be bowling again. If not, that may be our limiting factor. We’ll know after first 3 games. Wish we could have portaled in one solid stud starter for the OL. Either way, I’m confident this season will be much better to watch than the nightmare of ‘22.
3. 

   Hokie Witch August 26, 2023 at 9:09 AM

   I had to stop during the second question. Am I understanding that there are no longer College Football video games?!!!!!! Clearly I don’t play video games any more, and never did much - except for NCAA Football !
   1. 

      Andy Bitter August 26, 2023 at 9:15 AM

      It's been on a hiatus for 10 years after the O'Bannon lawsuit spooked them into making it without compensating the players somehow. The good news is it's coming back next season.
4. 

   mdriver August 25, 2023 at 9:20 PM

   I had to laugh when I first heard that SMU was being touted as a candidate for membership in the ACC. Living in Texas for the past 52 years, I can tell you that football program is no more than an after thought for most everyone living in the Lone Star State. If you've ever been to an SMU football game, it's pathetic how few people actually attend the game because again, most everyone in DFW couldn't care less about SMU. Why the brain trust at the ACC headquarters thinks this will be a positive addition to the league is beyond me. Regarding Cal and Stanford, I will reserve any comments since they both whipped us in bowl games. I think the whole thing just shows how pathetic the ACC has become football wise over the past two decades. Too bad we didn't jump on our chance to join the big boys (SEC) back in the early 2000s. So sad for all VT fans that things have come to this point!
   1. 

      vtgriff09 August 26, 2023 at 8:20 AM

      I still like the ACC myself. Mostly rather local foes, not overly strong...we can compete. Where we are now, we are a bottom feeder ACC team...just think how bad we would get whipped in the SEC. Our SEC ceiling would be a 9 win season, even in some of our best years. Add in Oklahoma and Texas, we would struggle.
5. 

   gaholder81 August 25, 2023 at 8:41 PM

   Adding Stanford, Cal and SMU, while ridiculous, is also the best we can do right now. FSU is leaving anyway. Clemson probably too. Might as well add new members now. As for Bowen. Geez. If we have another year like last year and Pry doesn't pull the plug...I don't even know what to say to that. There is not a THING in Bowen's history to prove he's competent. And for a defensive minded HC to hire him in the first place was crazy. If he keeps him...ugh.
6. 

   hokiehowl August 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM

   Love the hope versus angst chart! Great information as always Andy. Whatever happens this season, I bet we hit the portal for some offensive lineman.
7. 

   RiverViewHokie August 25, 2023 at 4:15 PM

   Production is production and we need to walk the talk, but Tyler Bowen is one of the more genuine dudes to come thru these parts. Really rooting for him.
8. 

   MV Trumpet August 25, 2023 at 3:37 PM

   -The recent ESPN article mentioned that VT’s Nike deal at the time was one of the worst in P5. -A TSL article by Will Stewart (May 25, 2016) noted that VT’s deal expired in June 2022 -A recent Whit Babcock Q&A with you (May 25, 2023) had it expiring on June 30th 2023. Whit Babcock mentioned in the same Q&A that he was aiming for a two-year extension of the deal. Q: Any word on the details of the recent contract extension with Nike? If so, How does it compare with other P5 schools?
   1. 

      Andy Bitter August 25, 2023 at 3:51 PM

      I FOIA'd the Nike deal a week or two ago and there had been no formal extension signed. I'm not sure if that's still in the process or they're ironing things out. Whatever the reason, I expect it to be for a short-term extension, possibly a year or two, for VT to check out if the market is any better in a couple of years.
      1. 

         hokiehowl August 25, 2023 at 4:57 PM

         I like someone’s idea to just have our guys wear practice uniforms as opposed to the current uniforms :-)
9. 

   Rhesus1 August 25, 2023 at 3:25 PM

   Regarding expansion, the travel would be difficult, but I think exposure in those lacations could be fantastic. Feels forced for sure, but also feels like the current best option.
   1. 

      hokiehowl August 25, 2023 at 5:02 PM

      It would only be for football and men’s and women’s basketball I would think. No need to fly cross country and back for a 90 minute soccer game.
10. 

    TomTurkey August 25, 2023 at 3:22 PM

    Another good, relevant read. I like having a more objective look at our programs. The chemistry is first class. Iron sharpens iron.
11. 

    Hokie67 August 25, 2023 at 3:22 PM

    "It feels like a short-term cash grab with little thought about the long-term future of the ACC." What's better? 100% of nothing - or - 75% of something? IF Cal, Stanford and SMU are voted in - it's not gonna fix things in 2024. But - in the scope of college football - NOBODY knows nor can accurately predict what it's gonna look like in 5 or 6 years - except making enough W-A guesses that maybe one of them might come to pass. Keep in mind - even a blind squirrel finds an acorn occasionally.
12. 

    VTVOICE August 25, 2023 at 2:55 PM

    Andy, Thanks for responding to my question on early season keys to success. The pic of Dorian Strong shows a guy with lean legs and thighs. In other words built for speed, and coverage, but I wonder about block shedding and run tackling. Is he a prototypical size for his position? It seems we have a lot of athletic-looking players, but I can't say "stud" eye-catching. Is this a sign of youth?
    1. 

       Andy Bitter August 25, 2023 at 3:24 PM

       I think in Dorian's case, he's just a skinny dude. He's a sprinter-type guy. In some cases, I think that could be sign of youth, but Pry also wants this defense to be fast, and that means guys that are maybe lighter than you'd imagine playing certain positions.
13. 

    RonSwanson August 25, 2023 at 2:45 PM

    I am honored that you would quote me, Andy.
    1. 

       Andy Bitter August 25, 2023 at 3:25 PM

       I didn't mean to let everyone know your middle name is Effing. I know how you are about privacy.
    2. 

       IB4TECH August 25, 2023 at 3:35 PM

       Is that you, Effing?
14. 

    vt49701 August 25, 2023 at 2:22 PM

    I haven't followed the latest re-alignment discussions too closely, but on the surface it just feels like adding Stanford & Cal wouldn't be a sustainable solution. Yes they are certainly top quality universities and if Notre Dame ever became a full member of the ACC as part of that it would add a ton of value. But if this scenario requires Stanford and Cal to accept less $ for however many years ... and/or if this deal doesn't add meaningful $ to the greedy self-centered schools with one foot out the door already ... then is there truly a long term value add here? Or would it just buy one more season of "stability" before the next round of re-alignment chaos (which is ruining our sport alongside NIL and transfer portal).
15. 

    RoswellGAHokie August 25, 2023 at 1:48 PM

    PATT response to complaining fans if we come out of the gate 1-3: “Shut up and eat your pine cone!”
    1. 

       DADEC52 August 25, 2023 at 1:59 PM

       At that point we may be telling Pry to "shut up and pass that pine cone!" if you know what I mean!