Bitter: 10 Things As We Reevaluate Some Preseason ACC Takes Early In The Year

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

September 15, 2026 96

Look who might be better than anticipated this year. (Jon Fleming)

I think I think these 10 things as I make sure my pre-question salutation is up to the coach’s standard…

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2026 VT-Maryland Football 10 Things I Think

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96 Comments

michalowicz September 16, 2026 at 8:55 PM

Count down list ideas: 5. The worst (and/or best) smells at a stadium. 4. The most misused songs due to lyrical ignorance (e.g. a politician cranking up “Born In The USA” for the campaign victory). 3. The top performing #’s of all time by position (at least since 1987). For example are #7’s really the best quarterbacks on throwing yards, TDs, scrambles, etc. 2. The best (and/or most absurd) mascots. I dare say the Rhode Island School of Design wins both best and absurd, by a long shot. 1. Ranking of the most boring sports of all time. This will probably result in hand to hand combat (not boring) with opinions, or folks drooling in boredom (like watching a 3 day cricket match).
michalowicz September 16, 2026 at 8:48 PM

I am on a plane reading this… and it is hard to concentrate with the screaming baby behind me. Per Andy’s advice I am not rolling my eyes, and not saying a peep. (Note: The baby is mine).
hokiehowl September 16, 2026 at 7:39 PM

Transatlantic flights suck, but it’s better than taking a boat.
HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 5:58 PM

They aren't creepers, they are gate lice... And TSA pre is just as bad anymore now that the budget airlines all do TSA pre. I'm a 1.6M flier with Delta, so I know I'm a snob, but flying isn't this hard people. Oh and the people who rush forward, I stop that **** cold and say "that isn't how flying works".
Repugnance4wvu September 16, 2026 at 11:34 AM

I don’t care about Franklin’s bit just say hello and be done with it. If he wins he can be a jerk. Players are paid pros as well as everyone else around the program. I’m ready for a tough coach who wins. Don’t forget the media has about the same approval rating as toenail fungus. The media has that rating because they do much worse.
1. Andy Bitter September 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM
  
  Don't lump all the idiots out there into "the media."
2. hokiehowl September 16, 2026 at 7:33 PM
  
  I don’t have a problem with that… Hey Michael Notice to the press… With all due respect, if you want to be called on, be courteous and exchange, a three second pleasantry. I know that the press has a job to do, but I like the coach holding reporters to a standard. It would’ve been better if he would’ve made that standard known beforehand.
  1. NokieHokie September 16, 2026 at 7:58 PM
    
    Did you not watch the interaction? The reporter greeted Franklin FIRST.
    1. Hokie2Architect September 18, 2026 at 9:54 AM
      
      ‘Hay is for horses’. Say Hi.
hoekee1 September 16, 2026 at 10:40 AM

I'm on Team Andy with the "Hey Michael" bit. Maybe I'm impatient. Maybe I'm getting old. Quick exchange of pleasantries is fine. Which is what happened here. But I hate getting business calls where the person goes into Hey, how are you? How's the weather down there? Ya'll doing OK? How's you're day going? It's business. Let's get to it. Be polite, but good grief. Enough already. The reporter has a job to do. He was pleasant enough. Wasn't rude. Let's move on.
1. chagerma September 16, 2026 at 11:31 AM
  
  It was 100% a power play to show dominance and control of the room. Very narcissistic and strange play.
  1. Glenvar Hokie September 16, 2026 at 12:23 PM
    
    So you are saying that a Football coach at a major university making millions of dollars and having people hang on every word they say is a narcissist? . ;-)
2. hokiehowl September 16, 2026 at 7:34 PM
  
  Coach wasn’t expecting a three minute conversation, only three seconds. Rise to the occasion.
  1. NokieHokie September 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
    
    Coach was deaf then... The reporter rose to the occasion already. Michael greeted him first. Then Franklin said Hi. Then the reporter asked his question. THE REPORTED DID NOTHING WRONG.
vtce2000 September 16, 2026 at 10:24 AM

I'm sure there is a good top 5 for poor driving habits/skills on a highway. get out of the way left lane loafers!
1. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 5:59 PM
  
  The same people who can't drive also can't fly ... It's called self awareness.
Uncle Monkey September 16, 2026 at 9:47 AM

Andy, I really think I enjoy your musings. As for the TSL's team airport & flying experiences, good to know there's enough in the budget for airline travel. In the "good old days" Nappy King would be firing up his old Chevy Lumina on Friday afternoon for the almost 700 miles and 11 hours (he probably did it faster, likely averaged 80+ mph) from Roanoke to Boston.
1. Andy Bitter September 16, 2026 at 4:21 PM
  
  That Lumina had roughly 8,000,000 miles on it, I believe.
hokiehowl September 16, 2026 at 9:35 AM

I am excited about this season but not excited about 2.1 yards per carry versus a Sunbelt team. Hope the offensive line can hold up their end of the deal in run blocking and pass protection because it seems like the rest of the team is ready to take a huge step forward.
RhinoVT September 16, 2026 at 9:24 AM

Lots of sensitivity in these comments. I will join in with my own overly-sensitive airport issue and it involves the slowpoke walking on the concourse are almost always on their phones.
AFHokie99 September 16, 2026 at 8:59 AM

I was on a flight way back in the late 1900's where I and several other random passengers (that I was not traveling with) had tight connections in O'Hare. As we taxied to the gate, the pilot asked passengers to please stay in their seats to let us get off the aircraft and everyone honored that request. Fast forward about 20yrs later and while on a flight taxiing to the gate, the pilots asked that passengers please stay seated to allow several fellow travelers with tight connections to disembark...almost everyone ignored the request and flooded the aisle as soon as the door opened to the jetway.
moneal September 16, 2026 at 8:49 AM

The obvious loafers aren't just in the airport. They are everywhere. The grocery store. The interstate. The parking lot. Move with intent people!
1. chagerma September 16, 2026 at 11:33 AM
  
  Even the crosswalk. Some do it just to exert control over the situation. We've all seen that person.
lubru1 September 16, 2026 at 8:23 AM

Your airport stuff was hilarious! I recently traveled and was reminded why I HATE flying. Everything you said was so relatable. I hope you guys have some good travel experiences with these upcoming away games.
GoneFishin Hokie September 16, 2026 at 8:20 AM

Worst... "Music"... Picks... EVER!
Hokie2Architect September 16, 2026 at 7:45 AM

Oblivious loafer is a term I will be adding into my life 🤣 It’s their world and we’re all just living in it.
SBP94 September 16, 2026 at 7:41 AM

The gate creepers/rush to the front of the plane people? Same people that back into parking spaces.
fishnpack_hokie September 16, 2026 at 7:36 AM

i think i think the only reason i hovered near the line before my boarding group was called is because on the smaller planes they tend to run out of overhead carry on space rather quickly. I never wanted them to take my bag and put it under the plane and then when we land i have to awkwardly stand there and wait for a man with a vest to bring it up from the bottom of the plane.
1. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
  
  Agree. Especially the CRJ 9/7.
ombandit September 15, 2026 at 11:40 PM

Hey Andy Hey Andy Hey Andy Hey Andy… Your insecurities stepped to the forefront with the “Hey Michael” bit… everybody else just chuckled! “This act is gonna get old after a couple losses…” Wow, overreact much? C’mon man.
1. HokieJB September 16, 2026 at 2:01 AM
  
  Andy is right! CJF comes off as RUDE. Not a good look.
  1. HOKIE SEAN September 16, 2026 at 7:22 AM
    
    For sure Andy is right. The bit was a little weird when he did it “correctly” asking How Are You? and waiting for an answer before taking the question. But this one, where he forgot to say How Are You, was just plain stupid, childish, and weird. He needs to stop the bit entirely.
2. Andy Bitter September 16, 2026 at 9:17 AM
  
  How would you react if any other coach but yours did that? Dabo? Kiffin? Al Groh? You’d say it’s weird and a little childish. It’s OK to admit that here.
  1. Boblope September 16, 2026 at 4:36 PM
    
    I agree with Andy 100%. I also give Andy a lot of props for being willing to say so. In today’s world we seem to want to sort crisply along the “are you on my side?” dividing line. I think it’s GREAT for people to use critical thinking and not just like/dislike something because it’s coming from someone that happens to be wearing the same colors as you right now.
3. CoachSchoen22 September 16, 2026 at 9:19 AM
  
  I definitely found it funny. I understand both sides, sure. Andy has been coming off as Andy "Bitter" Bitter lately.
PenthouseAlumni September 15, 2026 at 11:29 PM

What are AP voters supposed to rank teams off of if not wins and losses? Ohio State is still in the top 6. You can't have a game where nothing is at risk. It seems to me like the big teams want credit for playing in these games but want no risk associated with playing them.
1. Andy Bitter September 16, 2026 at 9:21 AM
  
  Wins and losses matter, but right now, when nobody else in that top 5 has played anyone, I don’t know why you’d have to drop OSU, especially if you thought they were the best team in the country coming in. Especially if you’re now moving Texas to No. 1. A one-point road loss to the new No. 1 is frankly more impressive or reassuring than what 95% of college football has done so far.
  1. chagerma September 16, 2026 at 11:37 AM
    
    Didn't VT stay at #2 after our NC loss to FSU in 1999? I'm on your team. The rankings are supposed to be where you think each team "ranks" and a 1pt loss on the road is the closest loss you can have.
    1. Andy Bitter September 16, 2026 at 4:23 PM
      
      At the end of the season, the championship game loser usually stays at No. 2.
HokieJ September 15, 2026 at 11:28 PM

The Beastie Boys clip was fantastic. Thank you!
1alanmcc September 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM

My ten things: A. Didn't like the "Hey Michael" thing one bit. Most of the others made sense and made me chuckle. That was one that did not invite a response and felt forced. B. Great variety of content for your article, as always. 5. Will's "Turkey Bites" from Monday Thoughts needs a more prominent placement in TSL content. 7. TV color analysts who start the broadcast with "V-Tech" are the epitome of how the young people say "tell me you didn't prepare for the broadcast without telling me you didn't prepare for the broadcast." F. TV color analysts who call him "que shawn" and have to be corrected by the play by play announcer are . . . see item No. 7; and 9. It started feeling nippy in Montana three weeks ago, so we're ahead of the curve for football weather.
Vtskier1 September 15, 2026 at 9:57 PM

Don't forget girls who want to paint their nails on a flight...or people who think the aisle seat you paid for is just as good as a middle seat they want to switch you for so they can sit with their fill in the blank.
soonerhokie September 15, 2026 at 9:20 PM

As a parent of three, I completely agree with eye rolling adults around crying children. But a bigger complaint is a flyer whose name is Tommy. Tommy had three pre teen children. He didn’t pay to keep seats together. They were scattered. His kids were seat kickers and yellers. Tommy did nothing. His wife repeatedly asked Tommy to help with the kids. Tommy did nothing. Flight attendants asked Tommy to talk to his kids. Tommy did nothing. I should correct myself. Tommy was doing something. He was playing with his Switch. WITH HIS VOLUME ON. It was then that I knew Spirit was not long for the skies. I should note that I couldn’t complain. Tommy’s kids were not behind me so I was getting kicked, and I paid $78 round trip from Atlantic City to Orlando for a two hour flight.
HokieGuru September 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM

1. I was/am also in the 6-6 or 7-5 camp but I’m not more bullish now. We won the games we expected to win and we will also lose game we are expected to win. 2. What’s with the all the airport stuff, did you fly recently? I actually thought I saw you on a flight from charlotte this week, but I’m guessing it wasn’t you
1. Andy Bitter September 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
  
  I haven’t flown recently. I just liked the random ranking suggestion.
HokieTC September 15, 2026 at 8:38 PM

@will TSL has a lounge board. Could you tell Andy B about it? Thanks. Most all the replies are like this one - about the lounge material and not football.
1. hokiehowl September 16, 2026 at 9:29 AM
  
  Lighten up
2. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
  
  Karen?
schubee September 15, 2026 at 8:35 PM

I actually disagree with No. 2. 90% of the time, I do NOT have a tight connection & am willing to let other people slide ahead. But on the occasion that I do have a tight connection, I'll ask politely if I can slide ahead myself. Might only save you a minute or two, but that's a quick (and valuable) trip to the restroom.
1. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
  
  This is the way, but I've seen more recently it's not about tight connections. Oh and don't ever fly in india.... You want to see mass boarding and disembarkment chaos?
SFHokie10 September 15, 2026 at 8:03 PM

Would love to see you all address the DB play. Thought they did not pass the eye test v ODU.
1. Andy Bitter September 15, 2026 at 8:17 PM
  
  Tough one to evaluate. They gave up some plays, but the ODU QB also put the ball on the money a couple of times, where only the WR could make a play. They'll have to tighten it up this week. The Maryland due can sling it.
MC4VT September 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM

Nailed it on no.9.
MC4VT September 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM

Nailed it on no.9.
Tim Lewis September 15, 2026 at 7:28 PM

I'm shocked by your optimism about win totals or are you being pessimistic about your initial choices. Either way until they beat somebody with a football pulse i got us at 7-4.
1. SunDevilHokie September 15, 2026 at 9:57 PM
  
  I think we’re a bruised fan community, cause it just seems wrong to think we’ll win more than 7. We all know some mediocre to lousy team’s fans always believe this is the championship year. That is beyond most of us until it actually happens.
133222Hokie September 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM

I worked for a young, start up company in the mid- 1970’s. I covered the mining & cement market for the entire USA. We prided ourselves on being the last person to board the flight. And, we asked the flight attendant where we could store our carry on projector!! That was a crazy period in my business career. Encouraged overall by the start. Why can VT “not” run block???
Chasesfish September 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM

The stand up and rush to the front, the worst. I like having an aisle seat and I'll stand up in the aisle to encourage a stop to that. Lets talk about pre-check though, can we please accept coffee is not an explosive and let me walk through security with a quality cup of coffee?
hokiepro September 15, 2026 at 6:48 PM

I’ve always wondered what the rush to get on the plane is…why do I purposely WANT to sit LONGER on a plane? Also, why don’t they load the plane from back to front so people at the back can go and load up instead of everyone having to wait for the first rows to load up their bins. Never understood the rationale for loading planes front to back
1. schubee September 15, 2026 at 8:31 PM
  
  The rush to get on is mostly about getting your carry-on suitcase in an overhead bin before they fill up.
2. IB4TECH September 15, 2026 at 9:50 PM
  
  Isn’t the front of the plane the easiest to connect to the gate?
3. AFHokie99 September 16, 2026 at 8:48 AM
  
  Jason Steffen, a UNLV professor researched the "boarding issue" and determined that loading back to to front just moves the line of waiting passengers onto the aircraft. His recommended method was to board by seats; windows, middle, aisle. This method was found to be the most efficient mathematically, but doesn't make allowances for human factors such as parents traveling with children, special needs passengers, slow poke passengers, etc. Mythbusters also tested different seating methods and found the back-to-front method proved to be the slowest. I'm not familiar with TSL's policy as far as posting links, so I'm not including sourcing, but these are all easily found via Google search.
4. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM
  
  Well, I do need my PFB (pre flight beverage).
kpileski September 15, 2026 at 6:46 PM

Nailed it! Random ranking idea: Top 5 Kevin Costner movies.
vtsurge September 15, 2026 at 6:45 PM

I live in NC but listen to my hometown sports radio KDKA Pittsburgh. They played the clip this morning and it was cringe worthy. He did this all the time at PSU and made enemies of very powerful people there who pushed the eject button on him as soon as they were given the opportunity. I love what he has done so far in Blacksburg but this is an unforced error on his part. He preaches a culture of respect and accountability. This ain’t it.
1. HokieJB September 16, 2026 at 2:05 AM
  
  Yep!
2. 75nokehkey September 16, 2026 at 12:14 PM
  
  Yep
74hokie September 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM

This past Spring, we had a 2.5 hr layover in Brussels before connecting flight back to US but Belgium Customs had a queue of 2.5 hrs as well. Flight into Brussels 15 min late. Run to gate still took 10 minutes so missed the flight. US flight even waited a few extra minutes but once they closed the door, we were sunk and missed it by only a very few minutes. Could have used some blessings in the Customs line so when and if you can, offering grace to those hurrying along is a good thing to do.
MOvatechgrad September 15, 2026 at 6:25 PM

#1A- people that talk in speaker and/or listen to videos or social media on speaker. Nobody wants to hear the discussion about what your doctor said about your lab results or what Mr. BEAST is promoting that day. BUY SOME CHEAP HEADPHONES.
1. TomTurkey September 15, 2026 at 7:24 PM
  
  My hearing aids have Bluetooth
jrob165fd September 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM

Andy, you sure do complain a lot…
1. 75nokehkey September 16, 2026 at 12:16 PM
  
  Yeah. Might want to rethink the pet peeve section.
2. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:04 PM
  
  Cause people. "They're the worst"
WV Gobbler September 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM

The people who are annoyed at crying babies have never had babies.
1. Hokie2Architect September 16, 2026 at 7:36 AM
  
  Not even remotely true. I have kids. I will only offer grace if it is evident that the parents are at least attempting to do something about it. But just sitting there like nothing is happening is infuriating. There’s also a huge difference between infant crying and kid who’s old enough to behave crying and again parent doing zero parenting.
middletennhokie September 15, 2026 at 5:54 PM

Franklin's 'how are you' is getting tired. Everything else isn't.
Tidewater Hillbilly September 15, 2026 at 5:50 PM

TSL's Expert Aviation Correspondent seems to be developing some football chops!
vthokie22 September 15, 2026 at 5:48 PM

#2 of this week's random rankings is by far and away the most annoying thing on earth!!
pgaiser1 September 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM

+1 to gate creep, and it stinks because I don't want to do it, but I'm always in the steerage boarding class and if I don't play along with everyone else then there's a good chance my bag is getting checked. Once you get past first class, strollers, and all that, the boarding groups should be blue, green, purple, etc., and the order is randomized each time.
1. HokieInMilwaukee September 16, 2026 at 6:05 PM
  
  Pay for a better seat or accept the fact you should just check your bag.
rile-u-up September 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM

You're the GOAT Andy.
HoustonHokie September 15, 2026 at 5:14 PM

Love your takes and writing style.
NokieHokie September 15, 2026 at 5:10 PM

Such a Richard move by Franklin... You have to be D-bag to keep doing that. But as long as wins, so be it! :)
1. Patrickl68 September 15, 2026 at 5:27 PM
  
  All of your postings and comments illustrate that you are indeed a Richard…
  1. NokieHokie September 15, 2026 at 10:21 PM
    
    I love you too...
HokieNoVA September 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM

+1000 on all of the plane-related comments.
ogjim September 15, 2026 at 4:51 PM

No lie #2 is the pits! I would rank it #1. And it seems to be getting worse. My wife and I see it on international flights too.
1. Novahokie`99 September 15, 2026 at 5:56 PM
  
  Amen - I travel frequently and this one drives me nuts. Especially when the plane isn't even late. In that case all of the connections should be fine. Just wait your damn turn!
HokieCrazy1994 September 15, 2026 at 4:47 PM

That Jimmy Fallon performance was one of their last, btw! Their official last performance was only a month afterwards.
1. Andy Bitter September 15, 2026 at 6:53 PM
  
  You can tell MCA is moving a little slower. Think his cancer diagnosis was right around then.
TechyTurkey September 15, 2026 at 4:38 PM

The “gate creepers” are known by another name in many avgeek online forums: gate lice
JDods123 September 15, 2026 at 4:37 PM

Okay, but crying babies on red-eye flights (i.e. the plurality of flights from the east coast to Europe) are a special case. We'll be landing at 10AM there, with naught but adrenaline and whatever rest we got on the plane to get us until hotel check-in time. If I can't sleep, I at least get to roll my eyes, and wonder why baby's first passport stamp couldn't wait a few years. (the only acceptable answers - to see a military parent stationed there, or a grandparent who doesn't have much time left).
PenthouseAlumni September 15, 2026 at 4:32 PM

How do we feel about the Oline this week? UMD has a good defensive line, but same as us, haven’t really played anyone
1. Andy Bitter September 15, 2026 at 6:55 PM
  
  Should at least have all their personnel, but this is a stiff test. I’m curious to see myself
Irish Hokie September 15, 2026 at 4:18 PM

Clever and humorous Andy. Nice piece of work. Thank-you! GO HOKIES!!!
1209bHokie September 15, 2026 at 4:14 PM

#2 on the list INFURIATES me!!! I will personally stand up and block them, then take my time getting my stuff out of the overhead bin. You're not special!!! You're in the back of the plane. Deal with it!!!!

Bitter: 10 Things As We Reevaluate Some Preseason ACC Takes Early In The Year

This article is for TSL Pass subscribers

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