Hokies Mailbag: How Important Is Making A Bowl? Where Would VT Rank In An ACC Power Poll?

23 Comments

1. 

   Fightin Gobbler November 3, 2023 at 10:55 AM

   In my mind, you will now forever be known as Andy Bitter, The Ever-Present. (Imagines Andy tenting his fingers like Mr. Burns with a sinister smirk on his face while staring down from the press box).
2. 

   VTCC74 November 3, 2023 at 8:44 AM

   Thks Andy for your unbiased report on our Hokies. I am unabashedly a VT fan. I have watched their development on both O and D and ST this year. I submit barring any key injuries they will finish at least 7-5. Here is my scorecard...BC and UVA wins. They win 1 out 2 vs. UL and NC State. Finish tied for 3rd in ACC final standings. Get a bowl as well. Go Hokies!
3. 

   mcannaday November 3, 2023 at 7:32 AM

   We will beat NC State! Their offense is bad but looked adequate in a win vs the Heels who never play consistent defense. We will pressure the crap out of them and get turnovers. May be low scoring but Hokies by at least 7 points.
4. 

   lazarus1 November 2, 2023 at 10:34 PM

   Andy, keep doing what you are doing.
   1. 

      Andy Bitter November 3, 2023 at 11:01 AM

      I will!
5. 

   DADEC52 November 2, 2023 at 7:47 PM

   Hey Now, Fuente did pretty darn good against UVA. Really not where he can be well criticizred.
   1. 

      DADEC52 November 2, 2023 at 7:48 PM

      Should have been a reply to TomTurkey below - sorry!
6. 

   middletennhokie November 2, 2023 at 4:50 PM

   I actually find most all of the TSL staff writers (and founder) to be quite independent and unvarnished in their analysis and opinions... one of the main reasons that I subscribe here vs. other VT sites. Still agree with your initial thought Andy, that 6-6 is a great achievement for for CBP in year 2 . ACC championship game talk is pure nonsense for 2023.
7. 

   moneal November 2, 2023 at 2:47 PM

   Re: your non-biased standing I thought you were teaching classes for Tech at one point. Maybe that's the source of the question?
   1. 

      Andy Bitter November 3, 2023 at 11:03 AM

      Haven’t taught a class at VT since 2020. Also, that was a journalism course. The whole point was to teach the next generation how to be unbiased in their reporting.
8. 

   theposey November 2, 2023 at 2:31 PM

   It's an old fashion hole digging! Sting you look a little tired..Marge he's a good digger"
   1. 

      Andy Bitter November 3, 2023 at 11:01 AM

      +1 for acknowledging the reference. Classic episode. Top five for sure.
9. 

   Long-Lost Hokie November 2, 2023 at 1:19 PM

   Rutgers beat Michigan State. No shame in losing that game, especially under the circumstances. Marshall and Purdue are different stories.
   1. 

      Andy Bitter November 2, 2023 at 2:21 PM

      Yeah, I forgot they came back in that one. I even watched it too! Still don't think Rutgers is great, but a respectable team. Probably will get to a bowl.
      1. 

         Long-Lost Hokie November 2, 2023 at 3:01 PM

         LOL. Yeah, they come across as unremarkable, even in victory. They've got six wins, and what now appears to be at least one more winnable game (Maryland at home). So probably bowling somewhere.
10. 

    Cheesehokie November 2, 2023 at 1:10 PM

    Appreciate your honesty, Andy, about your need to remain objective about VT. We fans are already going through a 5-week sine wave from "Fire everybody!" to "We could play for the conference championship!" I'm keeping my feet on the ground. I'll be happy if we finish 6-6.
    1. 

       middletennhokie November 2, 2023 at 4:39 PM

       Amen
11. 

    cdogvt November 2, 2023 at 1:00 PM

    Independent journalism at its finest. A good test was the acc rankings. At first I was indignant - then read the reasoning and, accounting for quality of wins and so forth, would have to agree. Keep up the great work Andy.
12. 

    hokietony November 2, 2023 at 12:52 PM

    9th seems about right for VT. All of this latest chatter about VT potentially beating UL and playing in ACCCG game is great but this team is just as close to going 5-7 or so as going to ACCCG. VT has yet to beat a team with a pulse or a team on the road. Maybe they will prove me wrong but IMHO, they are still likely to go about 6-6. Not great but where they looked after the 1-3 start, is an improvement.
    1. 

       HokieCrazy1994 November 2, 2023 at 11:10 PM

       Nobody seems to remember the Hokies of old, either. If we upset Louisville, we definitely lose at least 2 of the last 3 games that we're supposed to beat. Just saying.
13. 

    VT_Abright November 2, 2023 at 12:50 PM

    @AndyBitter What are the odds that players like Lane,APR, Tuten look at going to the NFL this year. It appears our offense has made some strides and I'm terrified they are all going to bolt for the NFL and we will be having to piece it together next year.
    1. 

       Andy Bitter November 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM

       All depends on what they want to do. It’s hard to predict what a 22-year-old is thinking. NIL money might be a reason to stay if they’re borderline NFL guys, though.would you rather make six figures being a star in college or possibly get cut after rookie mini camp?
14. 

    TomTurkey November 2, 2023 at 12:45 PM

    At least, Pry, better than Fuente, understands the UVA game requirement; beat [down] the Hoos. Even Welsh appreciated it after a while (though Army/Navy is T H E Rivalry).