Our SCACCHoops Virginia Tech – Virginia Football Rivalry Week Q&A is with Matthew, the Hokie Guru on Twitter, a fellow Midwesterner. Matthew is originally from North Dakota (and is a big Fighting Sioux hockey fan). He went to undergraduate school in Mayville, ND at Mayville State University and graduated with a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech. His parents have a lake cabin in the Detroit Lakes, Minnesota area, about 220 miles from Will’s home in Eagan, Minnesota.
Virginia’s passing game is ranked 25th nationally, averaging about 270 yards per game. How will Virginia Tech’s defense be able to stop it?
Will, I’m not a defensive guru by any means (we have coaches like Bud Foster that are in those roles. I’m a fan and not someone who knows schemes), but I feel confident that our CBs, Rock Carmichael and Jayron Hosley (who leads the nation in interceptions) will provide excellent defensive coverage on Virginia’s wide receivers. Virginia might have some success over the middle when our linebackers have to get out in coverage. Additionally, I think the Hoos will be able to run the football (in the first half, anyway. The Hokies usually make adjustments in the 2nd half). Call this the bend, don’t break defense. Teams have been able to get a few yards on us on the ground and threw the air, but it’s hard for them to score on us.
Given Virginia’s defense has trouble stopping the run (ranked 106th nationally), will Tyrod Taylor throw more than 15 passes in this game?
Yes, I expect Virginia to absolutely sell out to stop the run and send tons of players, maybe cheat a safety on occasion which will provide the Hokies with a lot of man-to-man opportunities. Marcus Davis, Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale, and Andre Smith will all have their chances. The Hokies will still have a great day on the ground, but I don’t expect us to stop passing. I also don’t expect that number of passes to exceed 20.
With Virginia Tech already clinching the ACC Coastal division, do you worry that the Hokies may not bring their “A” game Saturday?
I don’t expect a let down from this team on Saturday against Virginia because there’s plenty of motivation (you can bet Beamer and Foster are already talking about this). This is Senior Day. Sixteen players will run out of the tunnel at Lane Stadium for the last time on Saturday. The group has a chance to finish as the class with the most wins in school history and enters Saturday’s contest with a four-year mark of 40-12 with two ACC titles. The Hokies have the opportunity to be the first ACC team since 1999 to go undefeated in the conference. It’s no small feat to go undefeated in conference play. The Hokies need to go into Charlotte on a high note. Playing good this week does that.
What matchup are you looking forward to most on Saturday?
I’m looking forward to seeing Chase Minnifield fly around Worsham Field. He’s a good cornerback and he will challenge our wide receivers on Saturday.
Aside from Virginia Tech forgetting to show up, how can Virginia win this game?
Well, I don’t think there is any chance that Virginia wins this game lol. But how is it possible? Pay the officials? No, I guess that only happens in the NBA lol. Seriously, the Hokies would need to beat themselves. The Hokies would need to turn the ball over early (and often) and give the Hoos a short field. And Virginia would have to capitalize on those mistakes. Hokies don’t want a replay of the first half that we had last year in Charlottesville. As a Hokie, I have no doubt that we can come back from any deficit, but making mistakes against an overmatched team at home gives them hope (and we can’t give Virginia any hope). Virginia has NOTHING to lose in this game. This is Virginia’s bowl game. Mike London has said that much himself (http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/college-sports/2010/nov/22/uvaf22-ar-668819/). But this late into the season, I don’t think Virginia Tech beats itself. Highly unlikely.
What is the biggest reason for Virginia Tech’s nine game winning streak?
Coaching, pure and simple. No one circles the wagons like Frank Beamer and his coaching staff. Beamer had his worst loss in 40 years (James Madison) and his best comeback win (North Carolina State) both during the 2010 season. With all the new starters on defense this year, it’s all about psychology, finding the right combinations of players and schemes on offense (and defense), and getting better each week.
As a Virginia Tech fan, what are your impressions of Mike London and the direction Virginia is going?
Mike London has had a good year in the recruiting trail and is no longer ignoring the 757 With nationally ranked talent in the 757, London “gets” that he has to recruit there (Hokies were blessed for years that Al Groh ignored the Seven Cities). Will this transpire into better results on the football field? Will that result in more season tickets sold and seats filled? I think it’s too early to tell. But more immediately, from the casual fan’s perspective, it looks like London has put his own stamp on the program. London has a 4-3 defense (was 3-4 under Groh). His offense looks better than years past (substantially better than last year, anyway). And we know that Beamer liked him (almost hired him - http://www.roanoke.com/sports/uvafootball/wb/268447). Ask me that question again next year.
With the Hokies in the ACC title game, which team would you rather see them face, Florida State or NC State?
Good teams will find a way to beat whoever there opponent is, so I don’t care who our opponent is. It is out of our control. From the ACC’s perspective, I see two scenarios. First, I think the ACC desperately wants Florida State “to be back”, so I think they would love the storylines associated with a Virginia Tech – Florida State match up (they would have loved a Miami – Florida State match up). Then you’d see a few stories in the newspapers and blogs about our match up for the national title in 1999 (and the 2005 ACC title) and how the two teams only meet for “big games.” Second, I think the ACC would like North Carolina State to be that team simply because EVERY seat at Bank of American Stadium would be filled (although, it looks like the Hokies get a head start buying tickets, gonna be a lot of Maroon and Orange down there in Charlotte - http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/11/21/1856304/hokie-fans-boost-acc-ticket-sales.html#ixzz15x82xt2D). Both schools are very close to Charlotte (which means lots of money spent at restaurants, bars, and hotels by visiting fans). There would be plenty of stories about how the Wolfpack want to avenge an earlier loss to the Hokies. Plus, two of the best dual threat quarterbacks in Tyrod Taylor and Russell Wilson, both from Virginia, would be playing on a national stage. Television loves that. Personally, I think North Carolina State will clinch the Atlantic Division ACC title berth on Saturday by defeating Maryland.
What do you see the final score being for Virginia-Virginia Tech?
Virginia Tech 52, Virginia 10
