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    Thursday, November 19, 2009

    Senior Day - Hokies take on NC State

    NC State needs two wins to become bowl eligible and it's not looking good. The Wolfpack have to travel to Virginia Tech and then face North Carolina at home.

    Meanwhile, the Hokies are looking to pick up the pieces and build on its two consecutive wins. The Hokies are one of two teams that come into this season with a five straight ten-win season streak -- So. Cal. is the other -- and both are in danger of ending those streaks this year.

    As for the game, in both the previous ACC meetings between the two teams, the winner has won by a combined five points. In 2004, the Hokies lost 17-16 at home in a shocker. The Hokies would go on and win the ACC. In 2005, the Hokies won in Raleigh by a score of 20-16 in the season opener.

    This Saturday is Senior Day, and as the seniors take Worsham Field for the last time, they'll want to go out with the bang. The matchups are all in the Hokies favor. Offensively NC State may be averaging better in total yards, but the Hokies are dominant on the ground. Thanks mostly to the work of Ryan Williams. Williams has 1235 yards rushing on the year.

    NC State sophomore quarterback, Russell Wilson, returns to his home state for his first game in his native Virginia with NC State. Wilson has had a mixed year with 26 touchdowns but 10 interceptions. He's also been sacked 23 times. Expect the Hokie defense to send tremendous pressure to knock him off his game early.

    On defense, the Wolfpack are giving up an average of almost 31 points. Last week, Clemson was able to manhandle them 43-23. Duke and Boston College both were able to pummel them as well, scoring 49 and 52 points respectively.

    Offensive success, for the Hokies, will depend on which Bryan Stinespring and which Tyrod Taylor shows up. A consistent run game will be important to set up a successful pass game from Taylor and the receiver corp.

    In honor of Senior Day, here are the seniors as they step on to Worsham Field for the last time:

    Nekos Brown
    Kam Chancellor
    Kenny Lewis, Jr. *
    Sergio Render
    Stephan Virgil
    Jeff Beyer
    Greg Boone
    Brent Bowden
    Brandon Dillard
    Richard Graham
    Cody Grimm
    Kenny Jefferson
    Cam Martin
    Mark Muncey
    Dorian Porch
    Matt Reidy
    Demetrius Taylor
    Cordarrow Thompson
    Matt Tuttle
    Matt Waldron
    Ed Wang
    Sam Wheeler


    EhhTee's Picks (Week 12)

    This past week was my best week yet. 6-1 against the spread and 5-2 in my picks.

    Last Week's Results

    W. Virginia @ CincinnatiGeorgia Tech @ Duke
    Line: Cincy -9.5Line: GT -10.5
    Pick: West VirginiaPick: GT
    Score: WVU 21 - Cincy 27Score: GT 35 - Duke 10
    Actual: WVU 21 - Cincy 24Actual: GT 49 - Duke 10
    Clemson @ NC StateFSU @ Wake Forest
    Line: Clemson -6Line: Wake -4
    Pick: ClemsonPick: Florida State
    Score: Clem. 45 - NCSU 28Score: FSU 21 - WF 17
    Actual: Clem 43 - NCSU 23Actual: FSU 41 - WF 28
    Miami @ North CarolinaIowa @ Ohio State
    Line: Miami -3.5Line: Ohio State -13.5
    Pick: MiamiPick: Iowa
    Score: UM 35 - UNC 24Score: Iowa 21 - OSU 25
    Actal: UM 24 - UNC 33Actual: Iowa 24 - OSU 27
    Florida @ South CarolinaThis Week (Overall)
    Line: Florida -15Line: 6-1 (33-44)
    Pick: South CarolinaPicks: 5-2 (49-29)
    Score: Florida 24 - USC 27
    Actual: Florida 24 - USC 14


    This Week's Picks:

    Maryland @ Florida St.
    Line: Florida St. -17

    Florida St. should continue to roll. The Fridge gets to keep his job and won't be Tech's OC next season. TSF may start a get Ralph out of his contract fund.

    Pick: Maryland to cover
    Score: UMD 17 - FSU 24

    N. Carolina @ Boston College
    Line: BC -3.5

    This ones basically a pick'em. BC needs to win its next two and have Clemson lose to UVA in order to get the Atlantic title. That's seems unlikely. The Tarheels would like to keep their streak of spoiler going.

    Pick: Boston College
    Score: UNC 21 - BC 27

    Ohio State @ Michigan
    Line; Ohio St. -12

    This one means a bit less this year, but it's still a huge rivalry. Michigan is fighting to get into a bowl game.

    Pick: Michigan is a stunner.
    Score: OSU 28 - Michigan 31

    Kansas @ Texas
    Line: Texas -27

    Coach Mangino of Kansas is facing some serious charges of abuse and is being investigated by the school. The distraction will be devastating.

    Pick: Texas
    Score: KU 10 - Texas 52

    Oregon @ Arizona
    Line: Oregon -5

    A trip to the Rose Bowl's is potentially on the line. Each team can get a step closer in the race for the PAC 10 title. There are four teams that can still claim the trip, but Oregon is in the driver seat.

    Pick: Oregon
    Score: Oregon 41 - Arizona 35

    Cal @ Stanford
    Line: Stanford -7

    The other two teams in the race to the Rose Bowl: A complex situation of wins and losses gets Cal into the Rose Bowl. Stanford needs an Oregon and an Arizona loss while winning the rest of their games.

    Pick: Stanford
    Actual: Cal 24 - Stanford 41

    Kansas St. @ Nebraska
    Line: Nebraska -15

    Essentially the Big 12 North championship. Winner is most likely the team that will face Texas in the Big 12 title game.

    Pick: Nebraska
    Actual: KSU 19 - Nebraska 36

    Monday, November 16, 2009

    TSF Poll (Week 11)

    Texas Christian makes the leap to #2, while Florida falls to #4, tied with Cincinnati. Poor performance on the field may be the key reason for the fall. The middle has been all jumbled after several losses. Ohio State leaps into the top 10 while USC falls off the poll. FYI, other than those that are currently undefeated, the two teams with the longest winning streak: Georgia Tech and Temple. THAT'S RIGHT: TEMPLE!

    Temple received 4 points and fell just short of making the top 25. Other's receiving votes: Arizona (3), Miami (3), USC (3), West Virginia (1).

    #TEAMPoints
    1 Alabama (3)75
    2 Texas Christian68
    3 Texas67
    4 Cincinnati66
    4 Florida66
    6 Boise State60
    7 Georgia Tech59
    8 Pittsburgh55
    9 LSU49
    10Ohio State47
    11Oregon46
    12Oklahoma State42
    13Penn State36
    14Iowa29
    14Wisconsin29
    16Stanford26
    17Rutgers25
    18Virginia Tech22
    19Brigham Young20
    20Utah19
    21Nebraska14
    22North Carolina13
    23Clemson 12
    24Mississippi 9
    25Oregon State 7

    Sunday, November 15, 2009

    Game Review - VT vs. Maryland

    The Hokies throttled Maryland in Byrd Stadium yesterday 36-9. The offensive line picked up blitzes, RB Ryan Williams ran with authority and QB Tyrod Taylor delivered crisp passes mixed in with big plays downfield. The Hokie defense was dominant in every aspect with the exception of keeping contain on the Maryland QB Jamarr Robinson who had one of the craziest stat lines I can remember seeing - out of Maryland's 236 total yards, Robinson ran or passed for 233 of them. He accounted for all but 3 yards of Maryland's entire offense!

    This is what Virginia Tech football should have looked like during the season. This level of execution is all I have asked for since the opening snap of the season and at rare points during this campaign (against Miami and BC) we have seen glimpses of what the team is capable of. Unfortunately, with the way the rest of the ACC has improved in talent and coaching, playing at a high level for some of a season isn't good enough anymore to win an ACC Coastal division title, much less the entire ACC championship or national title.

    The game started off with a very positive sign for Virginia Tech. On their first series, they faced a 3rd and 4 and Taylor dropped back and delivered a strike to Danny Coale for 7 yards and a first down. I have been on coordinator Stinespring and Taylor all season for not developing any rhythm in the passing game but against Maryland, Taylor had a mental count in his head when he dropped back and he either delivered the ball or pulled it down and got positive yards with it. As a result VT only lost 8 total yards on two sacks. It's no coincidence then that Taylor also had his 2nd best passing day of the season.

    While Maryland was determined to stack the box to stop Ryan Williams from rushing the ball in the first half, Taylor kept up the aerial barrage. He hit deep balls, he hit crossing routes, slants, WR screens, hell I thought it was a mirage at the time but yes, when I re-watched the footage each of the tight ends (Greg Boone, Andre Smith and Sam Wheeler) had a catch as well.

    All of this led to a 20-3 lead (should have been 21 but for a botched snap on an extra point). And then Taylor delivered one of his signature plays of the season. I recall the play he made as a true freshman in 2007 rolling to his left and delivering a perfect ball to Justin Harper against Florida State late in the game. His sophomore season was marked by an impossible throw while being sacked on third down against UNC to turn that game around and a huge run against UVA to swing that game as well. Well 2009 has had plenty of highlights, but good heavens what a play Taylor made with 8:17 left in the 2nd quarter.

    The Hokies had just forced a punt from Maryland and taken over at the 36 yard line. Taylor dropped back to pass to the left sideline but WR Danny Coale was covered. So he came back and found his 2nd read which was a deep post from left to right by WR Jarrett Boykin. Just before he got pummeled, Taylor stepped into the throw and delivered a 35-yard laser to Boykin in between two defenders. Boykin broke a tackle and jogged into the end zone for a 64 yard score which Taylor never saw because he was buried into the muddy field. The ball had almost no arc on it over that long distance. I've said it before but there are probably only 10 other QB's playing Division I-A football who could have made that play (meaning the read, and then being able to deliver that throw). QB's that come to mind are Kyle Parker from Clemson, Andrew Luck at Stanford, and Ryan Mallet at Arkansas. And none of those guys are ever going to have an 81 yard rushing day (although Luck has much better mobility than people think) which is what Taylor put on the board Saturday against the Terrapins.

    In the 2nd half, I was very excited to see the Hokie offensive line grind the clock and get Williams on track. Everyone in the stadium knew the Hokies were going to run the ball and they just imposed their will and ran it anyway. Williams has that characteristic of his idol (Walter Payton) and other great runners in that he gets stronger as the game goes on. He started breaking tackles and big runs in the third quarter and ended the day with 126 yards and a TD putting Williams within 3 rushing yards of the freshman rushing record set just last season by Darren Evans.

    As for the defense, they literally allowed 3 yards rushing by all the Terrapin wide receivers and running backs. More importantly the defense only gave up 3 points (the other 6 points were when the Maryland defense recovered a Tyrod Taylor fumble in his own end zone in the 4th quarter). Jake Johnson got in a game for the first time since being benched for Lyndell Gibson and played very very well, but there's a disclaimer. When Johnson went in at linebacker in the 2nd half, the Maryland offense was really pretty watered down. There was less motion and very little adjustment before the snap. You really got the sense Ralph Friedgen just wanted to run some plays and get out of the stadium. Johnson has always been aggressive and athletic and with nothing tricky to read, he made big plays including 2 sacks. It was good to see Johnson get on track though as competition for playing time is what brings out the best in a football team.

    The defense had 5 sacks overall and Rock Carmichael played at an extremely high level, breaking up two passes including one in the end zone on 4th and goal. The defense while nice and aggressive, simply could not contain the QB scrambling and QB draws by Robinson who, despite the 5 sacks, rushed for 129 yards. I thought Foster should have been spying Robinson with LB Cody Grimm and kept the line splits tighter because every time a big pass rush came from the outside it would open up a running lane behind it and Robinson would take off.

    Special teams were also very special for Virginia Tech in this game. Matt Waldron drilled 3 FG's in the 2nd half. Bowden only averaged 38.8 yards/punt but pinned two inside the 20 and one one 1-yd line and his hang time limited Maryland to -7 yards in returns. Meanwhile, Jayron Hosley averaged 14.3 yds/punt return which doesn't include a 42 yarder that was brought back by a very poorly called block in the back penalty on the Hokies.

    All-in-all this was a complete victory for Virginia Tech. They beat a team that has been crippled by injuries on both sides of the ball, but it was a road win and most importantly the offense executed very crisply in the first half and controlled the clock in the 2nd half. The result was the 2nd best offensive performance of the season while the defense allowed 3 points for the 2nd week in a row. If Tech can keep this going, they have a legitimate chance at beating NC State soundly next week at home and really capturing some late season momentum headed into the rivalry game against the hated Wahoos.

    GO HOKIES!!!!

    3 Key Plays - VT vs. Maryland

    1) On the opening drive, on the first set of downs, the Hokies faced a 3rd and 4. In the past three weeks, the Hokies first half offense has been nothing short of miserable and it's been marked by an appalling lack of rhythm in the passing game. But on this play, Taylor dropped back and fired a quick hitter to Danny Coale for 7 yards and a first down. It set the tone for the first half against the Terps by avoiding a punt and it eventually led to a TD on the opening drive. This play also highlighted another theme of the day which was Taylor dropping back making his first read, his second read (when the first one wasn't open) and then delivering the ball very well.

    2) After Maryland kicked a FG to make the score 14-3, the Hokies answered, marching down the field 56 yards for a TD on a very well-blocked WR screen to Dyrell Roberts. This was a key play because it essentially put the game out of reach and again, it highlighted a Hokie offense responding to an opponent's score, this time in the first half.

    3) In the 4th quarter with about 12 minutes left, the Terps recovered a fumble in the Tech end zone to make the score 33-9. But that wasn't the key play. The very first play for VT on their next drive was a fumble by Josh Oglesby. Had Maryland recovered that ball on the VT 36 yd line, it's not to say they would have come back and won, with 11 minutes left in the game, but they could have swung the momentum hard the other way making the game a lot less attractive than it's eventual final score. Fortunately, Tyrod Taylor was in the right place at the right time and he scooped up the ball and dashed 25 yards to give the Hokies a first down in Maryland territory and avoiding any late-game ugliness for Tech.


    Friday, November 13, 2009

    EhhTee's Picks (Week 11)

    I think this season is proving one thing: I should stick to pick'ems.

    Against the line an abysmal 2-7 but 6-3 in pick 'ems.

    Last Week's Results:


    Miami(Ohio) @ TempleVirginia @ Miami
    Line: Temple -13.5Line: Miami -13
    Pick: TemplePick: Virginia
    Score: Miami 10 - Temple 53Score: UVA 17 - Miami 24
    Actual: Miami 32 - Temple34Actual: UVA 17 - Miami 52
    Duke @ North CarolinaMaryland @ NC State
    Line: UNC -7.5Line: NC State -7.5
    Pick: DookPick: NC State
    Score: Dook 24 - UNC 15Score: UMD 10 - NC State 18
    Actual: Duke 6 - UNC 19Actual: UMD 31 - NCSU 38
    Navy @ Notre DameOregon @ Stanford
    Line: Notre Dame -11Line: Oregon -4.5
    Pick: NDPick: Oregon
    Score: Navy 15 - ND 45Score: Quack 6,215 - Stan. 24
    Actual: Navy 23 - ND 21Actual: Oregon 42 - Stanford 51
    Wake @ GA TechOhio State @ Penn State
    Line: Georgia Tech -15.5Line: Penn State -4
    Pick: WakePick: Buckeyes
    Score: Wake 22 - GT 34Score: OSU 31 - PSU 17
    Actual: Wake 27 - GT 30Actual: OSU 24 - PSU 7
    LSU @ AlabamaThis Week (Overall)
    Line: Alabama -9Line: 2-7 (27-43)
    Pick: BamaPicks: 6-3 (44-27)
    Score: LSU 16 - Bama 35
    Actual: LSU 15 - Bama 24

    This Week's Picks:




    West Virginia @ Cincinnati
    Line: Cincy -9.5

    Cincinnati can win the Big East with a win tonight and at Pittsburgh in three weeks. The three way tournament for the title begins tonight. Both West Virginia and Pittsburgh can also claim that right as well. For Cincinnati however, an outside national championship is also on the line here. Cincy won't cover the full 9.5 points, but continue on their way to that chance.

    Pick: West Virginia
    Score: WVU 21 - Cincy 27

    Georgia Tech @ Duke
    Line: GT -10.5

    Georgia Tech will lock up the Coastal Division with a win against the Blue Devils. The Blue Devils have an outside shot of taking the Coastal if they can beat Georgia Tech, Miami, and Wake. Unlikely, but that would be the funniest tragedy of all.

    Pick: GT
    Score: GT 35 - Duke 10

    Clemson @ NC State
    Line: Clemson -6

    Clemson has the tie breaker for the Atlantic Division as they've already beat Boston College. BC has three games left in conference and Clemson has NC State and Virginia left.

    Pick: Clemson
    Score: Clemson 45 - NC State 28

    Florida State @ Wake Forest
    Line: Wake -4

    Florida State is fighting to get to bowl eligibility. They need two of their next three and it's unlikely they get one of those against Florida.

    Pick: Florida State
    Score: FSU 21 - WF 17

    Miami @ North Carolina
    Line: Miami -3.5

    Miami is not out of the fight for the ACC title. However, it's not in their hands. They need Georgia Tech to slip and to win their next two against the RTP tandem.

    Pick: Miami
    Score: UM 35 - UNC 24

    Iowa @ Ohio State
    Line: Ohio State -13.5

    Everyone's picking OSU here. Iowa stumbled big time last week after losing to lowly Northwestern! Iowa needs to travel to hostile Columbus. Iowa lost it's hopes to break into the national title picture. However, this game is for all the roses as the winner will go on to Pascedena for the Rose Bowl.

    Pick: Iowa
    Score: Iowa 21 - Ohio State 25

    Florida @ South Carolina
    Line: Florida -15

    The Old Ball Coach will shock the football world on Saturday.

    Pick: South Carolina
    Score: Florida 24 - S. Carolina 27

    Monday, November 09, 2009

    TSF Poll (Week 10)

    This week we're all in agreement. Alabama makes a unanimous #1.

    #TEAMPoints
    1 Alabama (3) 75
    2 Florida 72
    3 Texas 68
    4 Cincinnati 65
    4 Texas Christian 65
    6 Georgia Tech 58
    6 Boise State 58
    8 Pittsburgh 54
    9 Houston 47
    10 Miami 45
    11 LSU 44
    12 Iowa 42
    13 Oregon 40
    14 USC 34
    15 Ohio State 30
    16 Utah 28
    17 South Florida 24
    18 Oklahoma State 21
    19 Arizona 19
    19 Penn State 19
    21 West Virginia 18
    22 Wisconsin 14
    23 Virginia Tech 9
    24 California 7
    24 Oregon State 7