CC On Sunday: Virginia Tech Wins With Passing

24 Comments

1. 

   grg September 14, 2026 at 10:47 AM

   Last year the running game improved dramatically when the coaches realized they needed to introduce more misdirection into the schemes. They were vocal somewhere around game 4 that their plays were too vanilla, too easy for the defense to figure out and react. Same may be true here, particularly with an inexperienced OC. Watching VT over the years, they need to learn you cannot simply overpower a stacked line of 7 or 8 300 pound defenders. Period. That’s how 1st and goal on the one ends with 4th and goal on the five. When I see 7 offensive lineman opposed by 7 defensive linemen stacked face t face and the RB is given the ball into the middle of that wall of 12 300+ lb men, I know what is going to happen. Nothing. It seems to be a Mano v Mano test of manliness and will. It just doesnt usually work out very well. The RB simply has nowhere to go. Too many big bodies clogging the path.
   1. 

      chagerma September 14, 2026 at 1:19 PM

      IMO, it wasn't a personnel question. It was a playcall question. Grunk isn't a threat to run. Why is he calling a read option and giving it? Why would ODU think he's going to pull it and run if I don't in my living room.
2. 

   catamount hokie September 14, 2026 at 8:51 AM

   after VMI it's so easy for young players to feel a little cocky (OL I mean). In football, one's mindset going in sets the tone. ODU was a small dose of reality; the mood was probably "what the heck??" during the game. I hope and believe that lesson will be learned and a week of work and attitude adjustment will be very beneficial. Like coach Beamer used to say, the most improvement is between the 1st and 2nd game (and here I'm counting VMI as a game length scrimmage).
3. 

   Jwunderdog September 14, 2026 at 8:13 AM

   Terry and Cunningham PFF grades both in the 40s , not great Bob.
4. 

   VAHokie89 September 14, 2026 at 7:00 AM

   Did the approach to running hurt the offensive line? It seemed we did alot of running inside tackles. Overton’s bug runs last week? Off the edge. Was part of the issue being predictable or not having much variety in the run game approach?
   1. 

      Chris Coleman September 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM

      Actually one of Overton's big runs last week was up the middle and then he broke it to the edge after he reached the second level.
5. 

   Cliffc37 September 13, 2026 at 9:28 PM

   I was concerned about the offensive line play also until I read the comments after the game about how odu had sold out to stop the run, including Rahne himself saying they had done so to force us to beat them through the air. And we proved we could, unlike past years. I'm not nearly as worried as many seem to be.
6. 

   Novahokie`99 September 13, 2026 at 9:11 PM

   You're so right about being nervous again. I was so nervous yesterday and I feel it again for next Saturday. I never felt nervous from 1995 - 2011 - we just won all the time. Now I feel nervous before every big game, but it's so exciting to have big games again. My oldest son is a Junior at Indiana - so his football team is 28-2 since he got there with 2 playoffs and a Natty. I've been to 6 IU games in the last 2 years. What I keep telling him is that the best time in the world is when you're on the ascent. When every game you're doing things that have never happened before like IU beating 3 Big 10 teams by over 50 and setting all of their single season records. After you're good for a long time then all you ever do is worry about how you're going to find a way to win the game you're playing. At VT we're kind of at the start again. For the first time in forever we have an incredible coach who has us ready to play in every game. I think we're going to cover a lot of spreads this year as we get back to where we should be in the College pecking order. Now, will we be able to get over the hump, beat teams like Miami or SMU? Not sure about that yet, but by god it's great to be on the ascent again. Thank you coach Franklin!
7. 

   VTaimhigh September 13, 2026 at 8:50 PM

   Great read. Best line: "Tech threw it 42 times because it could, not necessarily because it had to." This talented but very young team will provide us thrills, surprises, and pain, but they have already proved fun to watch and support.
8. 

   TomTurkey September 13, 2026 at 8:29 PM

   Is this a typo? "Here’s a look at what that group has accomplished through the first three games:"
9. 

   jecvtmgr September 13, 2026 at 7:55 PM

   Has Matt Moore typically had good run blocking lines in the past?
   1. 

      Jwunderdog September 14, 2026 at 10:53 AM

      Interesting that Lynch and ghannam had PFf grades in the 60s , when last year it was constantly in the 40s and 50s. Definitely improved alot(at least through 2 gams).
   2. 

      turn2296 September 14, 2026 at 2:09 PM

      He had a top five rushing offense at West Virginia
10. 

    VTCC 65 September 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM

    I did not see #25 Jeff Balance in the stats. Did he play after being leading tackler last week?
    1. 

       OlderHokie September 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM

       Yes
    2. 

       mlewisr September 13, 2026 at 7:08 PM

       Jeff is George's father.
    3. 

       Chris Coleman September 13, 2026 at 7:17 PM

       Yes, 11 snaps on defense. No defensive player had more than 4 tackles yesterday.
11. 

    Root133395 September 13, 2026 at 5:42 PM

    Any word on when Altuner will be back?
    1. 

       Chris Coleman September 13, 2026 at 7:17 PM

       He dressed out yesterday, so I would expect him back next week.
    2. 

       tallahasseehokie September 13, 2026 at 7:22 PM

       Losing the OL signal caller is very difficult 😞
12. 

    69VPI September 13, 2026 at 5:29 PM

    Edit Unfortunately for Stevens, his 2.5 sacks only put him in third place among the defensive ends. Here’s a look at what that group has accomplished through the first three TWO games:
    1. 

       David Cunningham September 13, 2026 at 10:53 PM

       Typo is fixed. Thanks.
13. 

    vtgreg September 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM

    The offensive line is worrisome but for the first time in the past few years we have a QB and a staff that seem like they'll be able to scheme around it.
    1. 

       Newt September 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM

       Hopefully, we can keep our QB's alive.