Virigina Tech Falls Short Against Boise

Virginia Tech was not able to hold onto a late lead and fell to the Boise State Broncos Monday night 33-30. After falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter, Virginia Tech took complete control of the game roaring back to take a 30-26 lead late in the fourth quarter. The Hokies, however, just could not hold on, and quarterback Kellen Moore connected with Austin Pettis with only 1:09 left to go in the game.

The game has been analyzed repeatedly so I won't sit here and analyze the entire thing, but there are a few things I want to focus on. This is not the end of the season for Virginia Tech. Everyone seems to think it's all over now. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but Boise State is a great team and Virginia Tech easily could have won this game. The Hokies out scored the Broncos 30-16 for 3 quarters. If the Hokies had played as well in the first quarter as they did for the rest of the game, they win. Period. They clearly have coverage issues on defense, especially with linebackers covering wide receivers, but otherwise they looked good defensively. Ryan Williams picked up right where he left off last season with 3 touchdowns. Many have been critical of Tyrod Taylor's passing ability and he went 15/22 for 186 yards and 2 TDs. Darren Evans was used sparingly, but otherwise this offense looked very good. Boise State is the best team the Hokies will play all season, I think their chances for an 11-1 or 10-2 season and an ACC championship are very good. They obviously have challenges ahead, but don't count out the Hokies.

I am absolutely sick and tired of great games tarnished by referees. I was sad the Hokies lost, of course, but I was thrilled with how great a game it was...except I felt the referees had helped decide the game. At the beginning of Boise State's game winning drive, Virginia Tech punted and an obvious clipping penalty was called by a linesman 5 yards away. After the play, the referees huddled and then picked up the flag. It was an obvious call, but what really was infuriating about it was that the linesman who was right next to it and saw it clearly was somehow overruled. What was said during that conversation? "I know you were closer and had a better view, but I don't think that was clipping." It made no sense. Later on in the drive, Moore passed to Pettis who ran down the sideline. Tech's Bruce Taylor lunged after him and hit him just after he stepped out of bounds. He was flagged for a late hit and 15 more yards were tacked on. Was the play intentional? No. Was it malicious in any way? No. It is completely unreasonable for a referee to expect a player who is in midair to somehow stop himself from touching a receiver who stepped out of bounds. When Taylor jumped, Pettis was in bounds. When he hit him, Pettis was out. This was completely unfair.

I also have to bring up the glorious BCS. Virginia Tech was the best team on Boise State's schedule. The only other ranked opponent is Oregon State so there is a very good chance that the Broncos will yet again go undefeated. This will begin the debate again about whether they deserve a shot at the BCS. Can a team that is not in a BCS conference play for the National title? Obviously the BCS believes it is possible if they actually deserve it or the system would not make sense...well it would make less sense. There is of course the very legitimate argument that a team from the BCS conference has a much tougher schedule than Boise State. It is harder to play in a BCS conference than it is in the WAC. If two BCS teams go undefeated can you put Boise in the National Championship?

All that aside, you CANNOT deny Boise State their shot if they win out this season. Essentially they have done absolutely everything you've asked them to do. They have a weak conference so they fill their non conference schedule with power house teams. They do it every season. They even played Virginia Tech at an even bigger and louder venue than Lane Stadium. You cannot tell them they have not done enough after going undefeated for two straight seasons with wins over Oregon, TCU, Virginia Tech, and Oregon State. If that's the case, then they will never get their shot. They cannot do more than they have already. Unless Virginia Tech needs them to lose later on in the season, I hope they win out just to mess with the BCS. The idiots in charge of the BCS won't notice of course, but anything that might help bring a playoff would be great.

Even with the devastating loss, it was still a great game and it was only the first week of the season! There will be more great games to come.

Not Time For the Hokies to Panic

On September 26, a Miami team went into Blacksburg on top of the world. They were what many called the best story in college football this season. After years of mediocre football, the once dominant team seemed to be getting its swagger back. They were 2-0 after beating rival Florida State and ACC opponent Georgia Tech and were being led by dark horse Heisman candidate Jacory Harris. Everyone was proclaiming that the U was back and then...they played Virginia Tech. The Hokies dominated Miami from start to finish winning 31-7 establishing themselves as the team to beat in the ACC. And then...they played Duke. After dominating one of the best teams in the nation the Hokies found themselves in a dog fight with the most unlikely of teams. The Hokies did manage to hold off the Blue Devils for a 34-26 victory, but this was certainly not the dominant performance many expected. Is it time for panic in Blacksburg? In the words of Lee Corso "not so fast my friend!"

If there is one constant in college football, it is its unpredictability. Two teams that look miles apart on paper can find themselves in a nail-bitter come game day. What is important is how a team responds to a surging underdog. The Hokies may not have played their most impressive game against Duke, but they did win. There are also numerous reasons why this close game really should not have been a huge surprise. The Hokies seem to really struggle on the road. Last season they lost their last three ACC road games. While many just snicker when they see Duke on the schedule, this is a football program on the rise. Second year coach David Cutcliffe has really created excitement in Durham over this football team and for teams with a losing history this can be half the battle. Duke is also in the Coastal division of the ACC with Virginia Tech meaning that these two teams meet every single year. These teams know each other well. Think that doesn't matter? Ask USC. It seems that every year they lose to a weak Pac 10 team and this year was no exception. After beating Ohio State at the Horseshoe, the very next week they went to Washington and lost. Can you really blame Virginia Tech for not looking excited and motivated to play at Duke the week after a huge win at Blacksburg over Miami? Remember that these are college kids playing. They may say all the right things when it comes to playing Duke, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were looking past this game for a real opponent.

Don't just focus on how bad you think the Hokies played, look at what they did well. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor who has struggled all season really led this team to victory throwing for 327 yards and 2 touchdowns. If he had managed anywhere close to those numbers against Alabama this team would be undefeated and ranked in the top 3. Looking ahead, the Hokies may really benefit from a top-heavy schedule. Three of their first four opponents were ranked, but none of their remaining opponents are. By beating Miami in their ACC opener, the Hokies have already beaten the best team in their division. While they do still face tough challenges from Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Maryland, it should still be all downhill from here.