VOLUME 006 ISSUE 008 (2005.10.20)
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CONTENTS
Game Preview - vs. Maryland
Rants & Raves - The Bye Weekend
ACC Standings
Rankings
Hokie Trivia
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Game Preview - vs. Maryland
by EhhTee
After a twelve day break, the Hokies travel to the National
Capital Region to take on the University of Maryland Terrapins
on Thursday night. The Virginia Tech Hokies (6-0, 3-0) are
coming off of a much needed bye-week that gave some of the
injured players time to heal.
The series between the two teams dates back to 1919. Maryland
has the lead at 15-12. However, the Hokies have dominated the
series in recent years. The Terrapins last victory in the series
dates back to 1990.
Maryland (4-2, 2-1) is also coming off a bye-week after
demolishing the pitiful Temple Owls (0-7). The Terrapins with
only two losses to West Virginia and Clemson are off to a season
that hasn't surprised many. Head coach Ralph Friedgen has brought
the team back into bowl contention and a victory Thursday would
give him and his team a good jump start into the second half of
the season.
The Terrapins are not going to be easily pushed around. They will
be fired up at home with a chance to knock off the number three
team in the country. With the Florida State loss to Virginia on
Saturday, Maryland coaches are sure to push the possibility of
another ACC upset.
Offensive Notebook
The running back core will surely take apart the Terrapins
defense. The return of Mike Imoh (Sr., #20), the success of
Branden Ore (r-Fr., #28) and George Bell (r-Fr., #34), and the
lackluster performance of the Maryland line against the run will
prove disastrous for the Maryland defense. The Terrapin defensive
line is young and undersized. Against the run, they rank 85th.
Where the Hokies may struggle is through the air. Maryland comes
in with the third ranked passing defense in the country. However,
they have not faced the likes of the maturing (on the field AND
during play) quarterback Marcus Vick (r-Jr., #5). He'll have
targets like David Clowney (Jr., #87), Jeff King (r-Sr., #90),
and Eddie Royal (So., #4) to select from, not to mention his ever
present threat to take off with the ball.
Defensive Notebook
The Hokie defense will face a balanced attack from Maryland
offense. Their offensive line is very young but has proven to be
able to protect quarterback Sam Hollenbach (Jr., #14) in the
passing game. Because the Terrapins are so balanced, it will be
important for the Hokies to shut them down early. If the Hokies
can shut down the run and get ahead early. It will force the
Terrapins into the air.
Key players to watch...
Hokie Offense
Mike Imoh returns to the lineup after sitting out against
Marshall. Watch for his reactions as he tests out his healed ankle.
Marcus Vick continues to prove himself on the field. Live on
national TV, he will try to prove that he deserves an invitation
to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York this December. Jeff King
is always a threat at the tight end position. King always seems to
produce results when given the chance. Hokie Defense Chris Ellis
(r-So., #49) is a formidable force at defensive end. He had eight
tackles against Marshall. Xavier Adibi (r. So., #11) had his first
interception of his career in the game against Maryland last year.
Watch for him to repeat last year's success. Cornerback Brandon
Flowers (r-Fr., #18) has received the nod to start against Maryland.
This will be his second career start. He returned an interception
for a touchdown in his last game.
Maryland Offense
Quarterback Sam Hollenbach will be the focus of the Hokie defense.
If they can shut him down, this will be no contest. Tailback Lance
Ball (So., #44) is the Terrapins leading rusher. He has 346 yards
on the year on 57 attempts. Danny Melendez (Sr., #85) is
Hollenbach's favorite target. It'll be very important for the
secondary to stick to him like glue.
Maryland Defense
Trey Covington (r-Fr., #55), defensive end, leads the Terrapins in
tackles. Watch for him to swarm to the ball on the run. Maryland
linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (Sr., #52) is probably their best
defensive player. Some would say that he's the best in the ACC. If
there's a tackle, he's likely to be involved. Gerrick McPhearson
(Sr., #38) is probably the Terrapins best out of the secondary. At
Cornerback, he is very likely to be stuck to Eddie Royal or David
Clowney.
Overall Outlook
The Hokies are going to be watched carefully by the entire college
football nation. They will be picked apart by analysts and coaches
across the country. This is a chance for the Hokies to prove
themselves worthy. The Hokies have a tendency to play down (and
sometimes up) to opponents' levels. Should the Hokies do that early,
they may lose some of their support in the rankings. This is the
Hokies chance to prove that they belong.
Injuries
Injurys to the running back core have been both problematic and a
blessing. Tech's go-to receiver Mike Imoh was out against Marshall
due to an ankle injury received prior to the Marshall game. Cedric
Humes (r-Sr., #32), the second in the rotation of experience backs,
got the nod to start against the Thundering Herd, but was quickly
injured (ankle as well). Imoh is set to return this week, while
Humes will most likely sit this one out.
Defensive end Noland Burchette (r-Jr., #96) will be returning as
Chris Ellis's backup. His injury to a tricep should be healed up
for Thursday.
At Defensive Tackle, Carlton Powell (r-So., #99) will also be
returning as the number two to Tim Sandidge (r-Sr.). Powell also
had an ankle injury.
The Golden Bell
Virginia Tech recruiting at the backs positions was quickly
tested as redshirt freshmen Branden Ore and George Bell were sent
in to carry the load against Marshall. Hokie recruiting has once
again proven that they can find gold as Ore rushed for an
impressive 146 yards in the game against Marshall. Both Ore and
Bell scored touchdowns in both the Marshall game and the Duke
game.
ACC Too Strong For It's Own Good
The ACC continues to take itself apart as its middle core is
always a threat to knock out the national contenders. Last
weekend’s Virginia win over Florida State is not comforting for
Hokie fans as it was that same Cavalier team that lost to the
Terrapins. And yet, the Terrapins have also fallen to West
Virginia.
BCS
The first Bowl Championship Series (BCS) rankings came out on
Monday placing the Hokies third behind USC and Texas. It's almost
certain that this will be on the back of the players' minds as they
prepare for this game. If all three teams were to win out, it
appears that the Hokies would be the odd team out. It is up to the
coaching staff, under the leadership of a now well paid head coach
Frank Beamer, to make sure that the players focus on this game only.
The Ocho
The game is an ESPN Thursday game giving the Hokies a tremendous
advantage. The Hokies are 10-1 on ESPN on Thursday night. Their
last game on Thursday night was against the Terrapins in Blacksburg
last year. The Hokies won 55-6.
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Rants & Raves - How the Bye-Week affected the Hokies
by "Mad" Jay
The 3rd ranked Hokies didn't play this past weekend, but there
were repercussions that shaped the landscape of the rest of
Virginia Tech's season. Let's get right into it -
USC beats Notre Lame
This was the best football game I have seen in the past two
years. My view on how football should be played and how both
teams should leave everything they have on the field was
personified in this contest. By being pushed to the brink and
surviving, USC showed that they have the grit and toughness
to overcome any circumstance. It is going to take a flawless
game from anyone intending to beat USC. And while the Heisman
award has become a joke to me already, if Reggie Bush doesn't
win it this year, they may as well stop
giving the award.
Unfortunately a USC loss would have allowed VT to control its
own destiny, but as of right now, Texas or USC is very likely
going to have to lose for the Hokies to be in the title game
and I don't care what the first BCS standings reflect. It only
matters what the second-to-last BCS standings show to
determine who plays in the title game. Of more importance to
me watching this game was how Notre Lame and coach Charlie
Weis handled a blitzing aggressive defense. I plead for Tech
offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring to carefully review
this film - not as game preparation if the Hokies are
fortunate enough to play USC in the Rose Bowl, but as game
preparation against ALL of our upcoming opponents. The Irish
used a dizzying array of quick-hit runs, screen plays, QB draws
up the middle and three-step-drop slants and fades as a
definitive answer to the blitz. Notre Lame executed these plays
to the tune of 31 points against the Trojans. It would be my
wildest dream that Stinespring incorporate a few of these plays
in Tech's upcoming games against defenses that are sure to blitz.
Louisville loses to WVU
By making an improbable and phenomenal three-overtime comeback
against the Cardinals, West Virginia put itself in the driver's
seat to win the Big East, join the Top 25 rankings and boost
Virginia Tech's schedule strength in a major way. You will never
hear me say Let's Go 'Neers, but it helped Tech that they came
back and beat Louisville.
Wake Forest loses to Boston College
This was important for two reasons: first, Tech needed Boston
College to make a huge comeback (at home by the way) and win
this game to help schedule strength, and second, Wake Forest
exposed a huge weakness in Boston College's ball security
(five turnovers). Virginia Tech is top five in the nation in
turnover margin. Unfortunately BC has a bye this week to
prepare for Tech and don't be surprises if the Hokies have to
deal with both Quinton Porter and Matt Ryan in its Thursday
night contest.
Florida State loses to Virginia
Wow. This is why you have to love college football. Anyone
and everyone knew Florida State would win. Virginia had lost
half it's offensive line, Florida State's defense is a top
five defense and their passing game was starting to get hot.
Two of my all-time least favorite top vie (Notre Lame, Miami
and whoever's playing the Hokies make up the other three
spots) in the entire world were playing each other, but
unfortunately Tech needed Florida State to pull out a win.
Instead two bad things have happened - Virginia gets an
enormous confidence boost, a season changing boost that can
turn a team around, AND, if Florida State makes the ACC
title game and the Hokies are fortunate enough to get there,
it will only be Tech playing with incredible pressure since
the Seminoles were eliminated from the national title picture
with this loss.
Penn State loses to Michigan
I simply list this here because another traditional power has
fallen from the unbeaten ranks. Penn State had a chance to make
a claim for the title game, but lost it when they couldn't stop
Michigan from scoring a touchdown on 4th down with one second
left.
Clemson killed NC State
Last but not least, The Fighting Amatos are killing Virgina
Tech's strength of schedule. Chuck Amato studied for too long
under the Bobby Bowden School of Zero-Discipline and now
penalties, turnovers and mental mistakes have ruined a program
with ridiculous talent. All NC State can do for the Hokies now
is knock off Florida State in Tallahassee to potentially keep
the Seminoles out of the ACC title game.
The Hokies used this week to get Imoh and Adibi healthy and
the rest of the team ready to go for a night time road game at
Maryland where the Terrapins will be out for revenge from last
year's 55-6 shellacking. I hope that this weekend's games
showed Tech that each game is going to be a battle from here
on out and it will take every ounce of ability, focus, mental
toughness and heart to reach the team's goals. Any game where
those factors aren't present put this season at great risk.
There isn't much sense in speculating on "what-ifs" at this
point. From now until the end of the season it's time to
concentrate on "what is".
GO HOKIES!
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ACC Standings
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston College 3-1 6-1
Florida State 3-1 5-1
Maryland 2-1 4-2
Clemson 2-3 3-3
NC State 1-3 2-3
Wake Forest 1-3 2-5
COASTAL DIVISION
Virginia Tech 3-0 6-0
Miami 2-1 5-1
Georgia Tech 2-2 4-2
Virginia 2-2 4-2
North Carolina 1-1 2-3
Duke 0-4 1-6
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Rankings
--+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------
|AP |USA Today |BCS |TSF
--+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------
1|USC |USC |USC |USC
2|Texas |Texas |Texas |Virginia Tech
3|Virgnia Tech |Virginia Tech |Virginia Tech |Texas
4|Georgia |Georgia |Georgia |Georgia
5|Alabama |Alabama |Alabama |UCLA
6|Miami |Miami |LSU |Notre Dame
7|LSU |LSU |Texas Tech |Alabama
8|UCLA |Texas Tech |Miami |Texas Tech
9|Notre Dame |UCLA |UCLA |Miami
10|Texas Tech |Florida State |Penn State |Penn State
11|Florida State |Boston College|Florida State |Boston College
12|Penn State |Notre Dame |Boston College|LSU
13|Boston College|Ohio State |Oregon |Auburn
14|Ohio State |Penn State |Wisconsin |Tennessee
15|Oregon |Auburn |Ohio State |Ohio State
16|Auburn |Oregon |Notre Dame |Wisconsin
17|Tennessee |Wisconsin |West Virginia |Oregon
18|Florida |Tennessee |Auburn |Virginia
19|Wisconsin |Florida |Tennessee |Northwestern
20|West Virginia |West Virginia |Florida |Michigan State
21|TCU |TCU |TCU |Florida
22|Michigan State|Michigan State|Minnesota |Michigan
23|Virginia |California |Nebraska |Nebraska
24|Fresno State |Virginia |Michigan State|TCU
25|California |Minnesota |California |NC State
--+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------
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TSF Trivia - How about the number six?
(1) The Hokies have opened their season with SIX consecutive
wins for the tenth time in school history.
(2)The Hokie defense has only allowed SIX touchdowns in this
season.
(3) The Hokies have won SIX of their seven ESPN Thursday
night contests at Lane Stadium
(4) Thursday night's game will make the appearance number
TWELVE (not six, but divisible by six) for the Hokies on
ESPN's Thursday night football match up.
(5) The Hokies defense ranks third in the nation in passing
defense. They've only allowed 133 yards per game this season.
(6) TSF creates its poll much the same way as the AP and USA
Today, only with much fewer entries. All members contribute
their weekly rankings. Each rank holds a value in points.
Those points add together to create a total for each team
present in any of the rankings. TSF orders the teams from
highest points to lowest, and that produces TSF's rankings.
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---Writers:
"Mad" Jason Oakley
Anand "EhhTee" Trivedi
Brian "Where's The Ice?" Wrenn
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Disclaimer:
This news magazine is in no way affiliated with, or supported by,
Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Athletic Department, the NCAA, the
BCS, the Big East Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference or any
other organization other than EhhTee Productions. EhhTee Productions
is an institution created by the author of TechSuperFans for the
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TechSuperFans and TechSuperFans.com are trademarks of EhhTee
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