Virginia Tech is starting to look a lot better! (Ivan Morozov)
My sense of relief when Virginia Tech beat Pitt was so strong that I don’t think I actually enjoyed the win. The Hokies needed to win that one badly, so badly that the relief that I felt prevented any fun from creeping into my mind. I was happy, but it wasn’t an exciting type of happiness. It was of a “thank goodness, we really needed that one” type of feeling.
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Chris -
Best Burger = South Pole Inn, Annascal, County Kerry, Ireland. Great Irish beef, crispy bacon and grilled pineapple - plus a pint of Guiness.
Best Wings = Kitchen in the Desert, Twenty-Nine Palms, California. Smoked and Jerked - juicy and tender - plus a rum punch.
You should write a book on your excursions - with an emphasis on food and drink.
Cheesehokie
I went into the season with my feet firmly on the ground. My only expectation was to see improvement w.r.t. last year. After the Rutgers and Marshall games, I had not seen much in that regard and was dispirited. But the last three games have shown improvement, most notably in the offensive schemes and execution. I’m not sold yet on defensive improvement because the Pittsburgh and Wake Forest offenses are not very impressive. Syracuse will tell the tale on that.
A final thought on our defensive success against the Wake mesh: Our LB’s have had trouble making the correct run reads and hitting the right gaps. Perhaps the slow development of the Wake mesh allowed Marve to simplify things for the LB’s? Maybe it was as simple as, “Joe, you key on the QB and Larry, you key on the RB. Hit them both on every mesh and it won’t matter which one has the ball.” ?
Arch72Hokie
Bryce Duke, where is Bryce Duke?
hokiepro
He was back at KO returner vs Wake. For some reason he’s changed number from 22 to 23
He had a nice run vs FSU
Bioteknik
Personally, I was encouraged by the offense under Drones after the Rutgers game and thought it looked better with him even though the yardage wasn't great. It was his first start and Felton had several drops, and Lane didn't play. Yes the Marshall game was an abomination, but even that was mostly the middle 2 quarters so there was still flashes of what the offense could do if they didn't try to get too cute and just run the dang ball.
Clearly the packages they're running now are working, but before the Pitt game Pry specifically said it took longer to transition the offense to Drones than they expected alluding that Marshall was a lot of the previous Wells tailored packages that we all saw. There's a reason Bowen flew down to Texas to sign Drones and was able to easily convince him why they needed him and we're seeing it now.
hokiepro
Sorry but it’s stupid that Bowen didn’t think Wells could run these misdirection plays. The OL needed these plays more than whomever is playing QB. Once again…look at Wells’ numbers through 6 quarters…disregard the 2nd half vs Purdue…he may have shown toughness but it was on the coaches & trainers not recognizing that Wells was too hurt to play effectively.
hokiepro
All that said, it makes sense to stay with Drones now as he’s showing a higher ceiling than Wells as he develops
Bugle76
Chris, you spent 2700 words saying the Offense was bad and Tech now running a new Offense. Can you explain the difference to us novices?
Also, and not to play English Prof on you but, we know it’s an option column. “In my opinion” is redundant. Just sayn’
syee74vt96
If the rumor is true … then maybe this Brent Davis guy should be the OC? ?
TechyTurkey
Also a YoutTube TV watcher ... started watching the game live and had no trouble. Was away (on a cruise!) and lost good internet connection, so didn't watch the remainder of the game until last night. Man, did those added commercials suck! That's the first time ever since 2017 when I switched to YTTV that it's happened, at least that I can remember. Hopefully it's just a weekend glitch and will be fixed in time for the next one!
Regarding fan psyche: Watching the Pitt game live felt like an inflection point for the team. Most of my buddies who I go to games with and chat about all things Hokies also felt the same way. Could that Marshall game be Pry's version of the 1995 team's 0-16 L to Cincinnatti? Or maybe whatever magic Beamer did in the offseason between 1992 and 1993 to get the team rolling? Possibly. I'm not 100% convinced yet, but things just *feel* different right now, and in a good way going into a bye week.
hokiepro
Glad that it’s not the norm for YTTV, I was like “what the heck??”
atlhokie1
Would love to hear more about the Brent Davis story. I don't remember Army running this type of offense so who really put it together?
Chris Coleman
Not this type of offense specifically of course, but option coaches generally have a very good idea about misdirection and spacing, which are critical elements to the option offense. VT doesn't run it out of the same formations of course, but the concepts of misdirection and spacing are the same.
VTaimhigh
Same issue with YouTubeTV. But, I could watch it on my MAC with no issue. Odd. First time that's happened to me.
Ronfarmer27
Great tip about watching it on your Mac. I was completely frustrated last night by all the commercials on YouTube TV as Chris and others have said. But after reading your comment I went back and was able to watch the game on my iPad with YouTubeTV app and no issues! Thanks!
zman1978
Weddings should be banned. Period.
Hokie1992
At least October weddings. It’s football season and hurricane season. Nobody with a brain schedules an October wedding. Guys that agree to one are just pathetic.
mygreenbaypackers
Check out the Come Back Shack in Boone if you get a chance. Great burgers!
HokieCrazy1994
You're in Charleston, you're a Hokie, and you didn't go to The Brick for a meal/drink? Next time!!! If you're not familiar, the place is owned by a Hokie and even their t-shirts are Hokie-themed.
Chris Coleman
Had no time. I was there less than 48 hours. The group I was went had gone there for lunch on Friday, and I got there right after lunch. It was one of the places I wanted to check out, though.
atlhokie1
Good pull. Daughter goes to school in Charleston and we've been there a few times.
VTCCA99
If you have a chance, go to Obstinate Daughter in Sullivan’s Island. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
SmithfieldHokie
Spot on- POSITIVE Energy vs NEGATIVE Energy. That was happening to me as well. Negative energy will bring you down, mentally AND physically. Momentum is part of the negative energy thing- when a team says to itself, "here we go again". It takes something or someone to turn it around.
The new offense and Drones making plays has given everyone hope. It transfers to the defense- they start believing a little more, then then there's more effort and strength that emerges. Of course, the defensive backs providing a little extra assistance helps.
I felt like we were going to win Saturday in the second quarter- you could see our Defensive Lineman and Linebackers taking over at the line of scrimmage. The energy and excitement after making a play showed great emotion (or was it confidence?). I mentioned it to other people around me- I hadn't seen that in a long time. I felt like we were on the verge of taking the game over. We eventually did, although it took a while.
Glad you're health is now better.
HokieACC
The VT offense and defense turn around is almost unbelievable. While I no longer want anyone fired today, I keep waiting for VT to go back to playing like they did during Pry's first 15 games. Hope they don't regress and continue to improve! I am so relieved that the Pitt game wasn't an outlier - Happy for my Hokie players and the coaches!
Keep working guys - I think you are now headed in the right direction!
133222Hokie
Our son got married on Nov 15 2003. VT beat Temple in OT that Saturday because the Temple kicker missed the extra point. BUT, the line of the day was my Auburn alum nephew coming up to my son & me and said “what are you doing getting married during football season”? Gotta love it. Go Hokies. This entire program deserves the result on the field the past 2 games in Lane!!!
steves13
Who the heck gets married during football season??!!!
Oh wait…I did. Younger & dumber and I’ve been dealing with these anniversaries for 40 years. (No, my wife doesn’t read these articles) Love her to death!!
Hokie101
The change in the offensive scheme at VT is unprecedented at VT. I’m a long term fan and have seen bad offensive schemes for many years but never as bad as under the Pry regime. The change is much needed, and may salvage this season and coaching staff.
Hope TSL ( ie you) can confirm the change was due to Davis , someone else, or a message from the football gods who took pity on the long suffering VT fans.
It does indeed feel good winning a ball game!
selhini
I wonder if the slow mesh may have helped the young linebackers in this game. One of the things I noticed in previous games is how we looked slow out of the gate. The slow mesh requires patience. I'm hoping that seeing the slow mesh in a game situation helped literally slow down the game for our linebackers and give them confidence in what they are taught and what they know but had not experienced in "slow motion".
Hokie2Architect
I was actually wondering this same thing. If it somehow helped our guys have more time to react and get into better position.
MaroonMark
college football, BC barely wins against Holy Cross, and then the next week loses by 2 to FSU. Whaaat?
MaroonMark
I think you've come up with an idea for an off season (summer) article by CC. A burger review column, that assesses burgers in Blacksburg and wherever else you've been lately. Let's see what skills you got for your next life :)
MaroonMark
correction, article, not column
No_Limit_Hokie
Aren't weddings supposed to be in June, months removed from Football??
natex8601
I have only missed 4 or 5 games since 99 all because of work. I missed the Pitt game because I had to go to a wedding. Told my friends that I might try and go to a wedding every weekend if it means tech will win.
hokierodneync
I watch replays on ESPN plus on my computer. Small subscription fee. Can see the whole game. Also use it for Men and women’s bball when not on a big network or if I want to rewatch. Got a great picture watching a replay of yesterday’s game. FYI.
Chris Coleman
Yep, I'll be doing that from now on.
hokies1579
Had the same issue with YouTube TV replay. Very frustrating indeed
133895Hokie
I was at the game and wished that I could have fast-forwarded through all of the - "The previous play is under review" delays.
Vtgolfnut
Do you know if the added commercials are also on the live broadcast or just added to the recorded version?
Was getting ready to drop direct tv and go to YouTube but was unaware of this issue
moneal
The live broadcast on YouTube TV was fine. Just the normal ridiculous amount of commercial breaks
schubee
Live broadcast on YouTubeTV was fine for me.
MYNAMEISHOKIE
I think those extra ad insertions are a new thing for YTTV as well, there were a bunch of people bringing it up all of a sudden on the CFB subreddit this weekend
hokiedpt
Chris - You can watch rerun at 7pm tonight on ACC Network
hokiepro
That one had no issues with the recording & ads
hokiepro
Caveat: I agreed to Oct 29 after the schedule release showed it was an open Sat. for VT. ??♂️
Hokie67
The ACCN had some very good camera work - plus commentary for a change. One of the best Sunday mornings in a while - re-living a very pleasant win. The FSU broadcast left a lot to be desired - especially on replays.
Will Stewart
That FSU broadcast was shockingly bad for an ABC game.
MDHokie79
67 IMHO the ACC broadcast vs Wake was an embarrassment. Bad camera angles made reviews difficult to get right and the announcers sounded very amateurish. Add in the refs stopping pla and LONG commercials, and (other than the performance and win) that was very hard game to sit through.
GO HOKIES!
GreenvilleVT
Weddings during football season should be illegal.
NCHokiestone
Harumph!!!
Hokie2Architect
weddings, birthday parties, scheduled events/sports for children, etc. should all be banned during football season.
BusLoadaBozos
Pregnancies should be planned accordingly.
Hokie2Architect
Also correct
VTCCA99
My twins were due in late October. They were born 7 weeks early on August 30th. That’s how I knew they were true college football fans right out of the womb. They aren’t going to miss football for some Paw Patrol birthday party nonsense.
DADEC52
Actually every game I have missed due to a wedding, we lost! So for me, those weddings all turned out to be a good escape! Must be about 5 of them now over the past 40 years.
55 Comments