Mailbag: Which Hokies Coach Has The Most On The Line In The ODU Matchup?

24 Comments

1. 

   jayoz22 September 11, 2026 at 11:36 PM

   Follower from RT-Athletic-TSL. Only subscribed to The Athletic because of AB. Keep up the great work and glad to have you with the good guys at TSL.
   1. 

      middletennhokie September 12, 2026 at 3:55 PM

      Same here. The NYT can stick it (in).
   2. 

      `lag September 12, 2026 at 5:51 PM

      Yeah, and the Athletic was basically buying Andy's fanbase. Does the Athletic even cover VT sports anymore, thought they shifted to a more usual cover big sports instead of the every school has a stringer strategy.
2. 

   rvahokie13 September 11, 2026 at 9:39 PM

   I subscribed to The Athletic solely for your writing and I finally took the plunge this week and subscribed here! I’ve loved following you on Twitter and listening to the podcast, so I’m excited to get back into your writing again.
3. 

   HokiePilot September 11, 2026 at 7:52 PM

   Hopefully this won't seem like too much of a "fanboy" comment, but I orginally cancel my Roanoke Times subscription when you were hired for the sole reason that you were not Kyle Tucker. A couple of articles later I renewed it......then cancelled it when you were no longer employed there. I subscribed to The Athletic the day your hiring was announced, then cancelled (along with a strong letter that did nothing but make me feel better) when they broke their promise to the subscribers and terminated you for reasons that had nothing with your writing skills. Then they made an offer I could not refuse and got back on board with much delight that Kaite Woo was the Cardinals beat writer......she is gone to L.A now (lucky them) talk about "riches" and while I appreciate the Packers beat writer very much......subscription cancelled again.... You have a way of being objective and a bit of a contrarian at times and still being respectful. Your opinions are well thought out and presented, I dont' always agree and that is okay for me. I don't have to agree to have respect for your perspective. It is a pleasure being a part of your "sphere of influence", I hope I can find a way to purchase an adult beverage for you someday and say hello. As an aside, the Virginia-Pilot picked up a subscriber as a direct result of David Teel being on the podcast, the two of you do a great job of "filling in some blanks". Living in Hong Kong, access to quality information about the Hokies is a godsend for me.
4. 

   vt78hokiehi September 11, 2026 at 6:58 PM

   So glad Andy is part of the team. I learn a lot of things when he and David Teel get together. I give Will a lot of credit for getting both of them to be a part of the podcast. Thanks to you all. Everyone on the show adds to the discussion.
5. 

   TwoWhiteCards September 11, 2026 at 10:54 AM

   I just read and listen for the subtle (or not so subtle) references to TV shows and movies. I'm amused (and sometimes shocked) when those around you just ignore them. Keep 'em coming.
6. 

   hucareshokiesrul September 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM

   It's not even that it's FCS. There are some pretty good FCS teams (Montana St is above 4 ACC teams in SP+, for example). But VMI and Gardner Webb are just so far away from that that there's nothing competitive about it.
7. 

   GoneFishin Hokie September 10, 2026 at 7:46 PM

   Not too worried about Ty Howle; he had his right-hand man sitting on his left in the press box last week, the offensive whisperer, Warren Ruggiero.
8. 

   HokiesE96 September 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM

   With regards to the late FCS games generally before Rivalry Week, I saw it as the SEC seeing that an early season loss is easier to overcome than a late season one. Even if we go to 24 (I really hope they stay at 16 and with everyone playing from the jump) I am not sure the number of wins for a team will not be a strong bias to get in. I hope I am wrong and that we see FCS games going away and soon.
   1. 

      Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 6:08 PM

      Yeah, it’s just tough to say a 9-win team is better than an 11-win one, even in the strength of schedule strongly suggests that’s the case.
9. 

   Brue77 September 10, 2026 at 4:24 PM

   I am glad you joined Tech Sideline after the athletic. It was the main reason I was subscribed to the Athletic… and even when you were at the Roanoke Times . I like your style and the mailbag and yes, even the off topic things you go into., and getting the fans and followers involved. I do have to ask, and I think you may have already answered it before.. Have you become a Tech “fan” /supporter over the last 15 years? Or is it strictly a career and job for you to cover VT? Do you hope they do well?/any sort of attachment? I don’t think you becoming a fan would necessarily hurt your ability to be objective and neutral on most of the topics and questions we ask. 😉I assume Tech being good in football again will give you better and more things to write about vs the other end of the spectrum. Regardless, I was glad to see you be able to hang around!
   1. 

      Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 6:07 PM

      Still a neutral observer, though you get to know people in the program and obviously like for them to have success and experience cool things. And, you know, my daughter’s a fan of the Hokies. So there’s a connection there. I’m not gonna lie: it’d be nice to cover some big games again. So while I’m not explicitly rooting for it, I wouldn’t be opposed to a VT resurgence here.
10. 

    SuperFeHokie September 10, 2026 at 3:57 PM

    Andy, Thank you for addressing my question and I hope are right. Also, while I have your attention- I have followed your content for years and glad you are with tecksideline. Your unbiased and transparency is appreciated- you don't wear the maroon & orange glasses like many of us. Thank you - GO HOKIES
    1. 

       Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 4:04 PM

       Glad to be of service!
11. 

    TomTurkey September 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM

    Having you in person on the podcast brings a knowledgeable, yes, humorously ascerbic, and objective perspective to the football coverage of TSL. We are definitely privileged Will rolled the dice to get your talent on board. Your chemistry with the staff adds so much in agreement and difference of opinions. I enjoy your competitive participation in the Buy/Sell, etc.
    1. 

       vahokiedog September 10, 2026 at 3:59 PM

       +1
    2. 

       Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 4:04 PM

       You're too kind.
12. 

    mcannaday September 10, 2026 at 3:05 PM

    The weak question entered by SuperFeHokie, makes me doubt he truly is super Hokie fan. Know this from a former Hokie player. We despise UVA and we have owned them for a very long time. There is no ceiling for them in football. There players are rarely from Virginia. Why do you think we have two coaches that played at UVA that are coaching with Virginia Tech??
13. 

    A79Hokie September 10, 2026 at 2:40 PM

    I started following Kyle Tucker back in 2004-ish and have been following you ever since you took over that beat from Kyle. I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing.
    1. 

       Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM

       Kyle Tucker ... now there's a name I haven't heard in a while. (Not true. People bring him up to me all the time. And I like Kyle!)
14. 

    SBP94 September 10, 2026 at 2:10 PM

    RE: your last answer, didn't the SEC vote to eliminate the November "cupcake" games? I think that goes into effect next season.
    1. 

       Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM

       Looks like they did: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/secs-greg-sankey-says-league-will-get-rid-of-november-cupcake-weekend-in-2027-135221476.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKCw3kUF16MzRy53jjgJB1X9CNN9BehZ04LPv0K9KZphgckBHL5bbqctlhPbU-aoRxtQqeOdV1S5N3vER0fozWqPOs3tsY5mdyYsQloCUdUksE57n1mpC-TTLiuZmzwrOho6C-QHonyC1MnYdSqjqDFlll4Hq2CKxYeWbP7S6NHt Still have Ole Miss-Wofford, Mississippi State-Tennessee Tech, Alabama-Chattanooga and Auburn-Samford this year on that week. Blech!
       1. 

          Andy Bitter September 10, 2026 at 3:52 PM

          Also, UVa does it twice with VMI -- right before it traditionally plays VT in 2030 and 2032.