On the (not really) Rivalry: Virginia Tech

by Remember Bo on Jan 1, 2012 12:42 PM CST in College Football

Happy New Year's from Maize n Brew!

While everyone is watching the Lions and taking a break from college football, I thought we'd sit down with the fine folks at Gobbler Country, SBN's VT blog, and serve up a few questions.

So here you go. Take it from the guys that know Va Tech football - and enjoy the next few days! Two days till the Sugar Bowl.

Who should we be scared of on Virginia Tech's offense? Is Logan Thomas the real deal or is it too early to tell? Does he run that much or is he more of a keep-the-defense-honest runner?

I think Logan's the real deal. He isn't the kind of runner Tyrod was or Denard is. He's mobile enough to be a threat when he drops back, but he's more dangerous in the option game and especially in short yardage. He's carried the ball 24 times on 3rd down and three yards or fewer to go and has picked up the first down 23 times. It's a great weapon to have and is one of the reasons Tech is 2nd best in the ACC on third down. The trick for Tech is getting into third and short.

Michigan's weakness has historically been the passing game. Are you confident airing it out or will we see a lot of David Wilson (more on him later)?

Tech's M.O. is to establish the run to set up the play-action pass. I doubt you'll see Tech air it out, but my hope is that they'll use some short passes early to get Thomas into a rhythm and see what out players can do in space. As good a player as Wilson is, we could utilize him better against teams like Michigan with a strong defensive front by getting him the ball in the passing game on swing passes to the outside and on screens to keep the pass rush honest. We just don't do either of those a lot.

David Wilson can flat-out run. How did Clemson contain him, and what does he do well?

Well, Clemson contained him by getting an early lead and forcing Tech to go away from the ground game. Wilson had a solid game in the first meeting, but the Hokies turned the ball over and failed on some critical third downs. In the last meeting, he just wasn't given the ball enough early to have an effect on the game and the next thing we knew we were down two touchdowns and had to throw the ball again.

Any defensive standouts that will give Michigan fans nightmares?

Nightmares? Not really. Jayron Hosley was expected to be our best player defensively, but he's struggled with a tweaked hamstring all season and just hasn't been as good in coverage has he was the previous two years. He's still a strong open-field tackler, though. James Gayle is a solid pass rusher. Antone Exum can make some big plays from the secondary helping against the run. I think we're a team that's solid across the board, but doesn't have one guy that's going to stand out on film this year.

Who will be tasked with containing Denard Robinson? How will the Hokies contain him? Spies? Blitzes?

I'm really not sure if there's one guy who's going to be given the assignment of containing Denard. Exum's the best pure athlete on the defense and is the only one who could conceivably do it. I said this in the preview, but he's a special athlete and if you go out and make it your goal to stop him, you're toast to begin with. You need to take away his friends. Stop Toussaint (who I think could be the MVP of this game) from getting yards between the tackles, cover Hemingway and Koger and just hope Denard has an off night. That's the best you can do. This offense we're getting ready to face is just hot right now and hopefully the long break between games is enough to throw that off.

What happened against Clemson? Were those two games flukes or was Frank Beamer outcoached offensively?

There's nothing fluky about getting your ass handed to you by the same team twice in the same season. I don't even think it was out-coaching. We were just out-classed on both sides of the ball by a better team with better players. Clemson's defensive line absolutely dominated at the point of attack and their offensive line pushed us around.

Surprisingly, VT's special teams isn't the juggernaut they usually are. Is this just a result of a few boneheaded plays?

Our punter is a wide receiver.

How does the fan base feel about Frank Beamer? What's it like to have the same coach for 25+ years? It's been a long time since Michigan has had coaching consistency.

He's beloved. This program was built from the ground up by him, he played here, it's his show. There are some fans who are ready for this program to turn the corner and be a serious contender for a national title and Beamer has responded to that by adding some younger members to the coaching staff and putting a new emphasis on recruiting. What we've seen here is something we might never see again in college football and I think our fans need that perspective. What's happened here is special and even if we don't win a national title under Beamer, we have it pretty good.

What are Tech's gameday traditions? Anything as awesome as Michigan's third-down key jingle?

Well, we also do the third-down key jingle. We also have the "Enter Sandman" entrance, the turkey call to fire up the crowd when the defense is on third down (we used to be the Fighting Gobblers), the Corps of Cadets and corps marching band, the Hokie Pokie between the third and fourth quarters. You'll see that when the regular marching band performs at the game.

As a Sugar Bowl veteran, any recommendations for first-time fans headed to the Sugar Bowl? Eats/drinks/etc?

It depends on what your situation is. I don't have kids, but if you're going with your family I think you need to hit up the aquarium and go down by Jackson Square. If you're there to poison your liver, there are a ton of places on Bourbon Street you can go and Napoleon House just off it. For food, if you're a seafood person you'll be in paradise and if you're not a seafood person like me, you're still in paradise. I always try to hit a couple of places -- Court of Two Sisters (I'll be there for the jazz brunch the morning after the game) and Brennan's (just for the Banana's Foster because I can't afford the rest of the menu). Then I try to go to at least one place I haven't been before. This time around it's Jacques-Imo's, which comes at the recommendation of our most respected columnist.

Also, make sure you hear some live jazz of some form whether it's at Preservation Hall or anywhere along Frenchmen St.

What's your gameday drink/beer of choice? Any local breweries we should check out?

As far as local stuff, you guys may or may not have had some of the Abita stable of beers. I'm a big fan of the amber and also like Turbodog. And it's really fruity, but Purple Haze is surprisingly good. It's just too sweet to have more than one, though. The Crescent City Brewhouse is also down there and has live music occasionally. NOLA Brewing Company is also down there, though I've never had one of their beers.

Lastly, how do you see the game panning out?

Tech has its usual slow start, gives up an early score, gets kept at arms length for most of the game, gives up a big play to Denard late to seal it and loses 31-21.

Poll

Who wins?

UM

766 votes

VT

146 votes

912 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Where have you guys been?

Maize n Brew Dave, Beauford, Remember Bo, all the football contributors have been absent even BEFORE the Ohio State game! There was no coverage of Ohio State, no reaction to Brady Hoke getting 10 wins or beating Ohio State, no admitting that maybe you were wrong for doubting Hoke, nothing.

This blog has become a serious disappointment.

by Meager Reader on Jan 2, 2012 4:53 PM CST reply actions

I've also been wondering

about the lack of posts. I mean, FFS—we beat OSU!! We are 10-2!! We made it to a BCS bowl!!

I know people are busy this time of year, but I’m sure you can find some time to put up a few posts. What’s going on??

by futureUofMfbmom on Jan 2, 2012 9:11 PM CST reply actions

Exactly

I don’t care if it’s harsh, they’ve let down everyone who follows this blog.

by Meager Reader on Jan 4, 2012 12:08 AM CST up reply actions

I was wondering the same thing.

by PhilsForever on Jan 2, 2012 9:42 PM CST reply actions

I'm gonna 4th those statements.

Its been empty :\

by NewSchoolLionFan on Jan 3, 2012 11:18 AM CST reply actions

5th it

You’re missed but we understand. We hope all is well though. A heads up\update would be appreciated.

by goblue14 on Jan 3, 2012 3:32 PM CST reply actions

I think the tOSU people

~~scared~~ annoyed everybody away to MGoBlog.

But seriously, nice season and I think you guys will paste Va. Tech. something like 38-14. Looking forward to the game next season in AA.

by MSUDersh on Jan 3, 2012 3:36 PM CST reply actions

Yeah ... this blog has lost all meaning lately. Please update or turn it over to people who will.

by IowaLion on Jan 3, 2012 4:47 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd. Rec'd. A thousand times Rec'd.

They have people who are emailing them asking to be contributors.

by Meager Reader on Jan 3, 2012 11:52 PM CST up reply actions

Hello!

I asked them if I could contribute and they said no. How are y’guys doin’ now?

by Big House Jack on Jan 3, 2012 11:56 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

It’s not good when you beat you’re rival but your rival’s blog has thousands of more posts than you. I mean I understand that life happens but if life isn’t going to change anytime soon, it’s time to pass the reigns.

Can I write?

by amaizian on Jan 4, 2012 11:02 PM CST up reply actions

Harsh words

fellow Wolvie fans.

11-11-11 !!!

Go Wings !!!

Marcelo Garcia rules.

by KGW on Jan 3, 2012 4:51 PM CST reply actions

I'm here...

…rejoicing about that last touchdown!!!

by 3r1n on Jan 3, 2012 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

Need a big stop!!

by NewSchoolLionFan on Jan 3, 2012 10:31 PM CST reply actions

And we didnt get it.

The O has looked pretty rough. Hopefully they can shine in overtime.

by NewSchoolLionFan on Jan 3, 2012 10:48 PM CST reply actions

Wooohoooo!!!

Go Blue!!

by PhilsForever on Jan 3, 2012 11:20 PM CST reply actions

2011 Sugar Bowl Champions!

Great way to end the season!

"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."

by detroit_fan on Jan 3, 2012 11:28 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I can't believe it.

What a win. Defense and the kicking game, who would have thunk this a year ago?

Covering Michigan Basketball for Maize n Brew.
Twitter

by Alex Cook on Jan 3, 2012 11:32 PM CST reply actions

Agreed

Where’s all the Rich Rod supporters on this blog now?

by amaizian on Jan 3, 2012 11:40 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

They stuck their heads in the ground

as soon as Hoke started winning. No one ever wants to admit they were that wrong about somebody.

by Meager Reader on Jan 3, 2012 11:59 PM CST up reply actions

I'm the basketball writer, but I was going to write something tomorrow for this game

and I’ll freely admit that I was 100% wrong about Hoke. What he’s done has been, well, Schembechleresque.

And I was a Rich Rodriguez supporter. Still am. We just have a better coach now.

Covering Michigan Basketball for Maize n Brew.
Twitter

by Alex Cook on Jan 4, 2012 12:21 AM CST up reply actions

Schembechleresque

is my new favorite word.

by 3r1n on Jan 4, 2012 12:51 AM CST up reply actions

I'm talking about the football writers.

No offense, but Michigan football is a lot more intense than Michigan basketball. It’s everything. For the guys on this blog to not say anything or not have any coverage of Ohio State and now the Sugar Bowl win, should be considered a capital crime.

by Meager Reader on Jan 4, 2012 1:06 AM CST up reply actions

Also

Their attitude towards Hoke when he was hired was absolutely criminal. “Brady Hoke is not a good football coach”? Nice one, Dave. Nice one.

by Meager Reader on Jan 4, 2012 1:08 AM CST up reply actions

I get why you're frustrated

I’m disappointed in the lack of football coverage myself. I do get that basketball has always played second fiddle to football and Michigan, and I know that it always will. Still, I’m working hard and trying to produce good content to the best of my ability, and there’s been little to no interest in what I’ve put out on the site.

Covering Michigan Basketball for Maize n Brew.
Twitter

by Alex Cook on Jan 4, 2012 1:16 AM CST up reply actions

No Apology Needed Tiger....

…your coverage on Michigan’s basketball has been great and I really appreciate it. I’m sure others do as well but finally beating OSU after 7 long years and then getting a BCS bowl bid should have generated a massive amount of stories as I and I’m sure many of the faithful readers of this site feel. It’s just been disappointing, that’s all. Now that football season is over and we’re into the Big Ten schedule, I’m sure there will be more interest in the B-ball items you’re posting. Keep up the good work!

by David Koenig on Jan 4, 2012 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

Your work does not go unnoticed

I think it’s just that a lot of people don’t really spend too much time following the regular season, it’s basically pointless as long as you make the tournament.

"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."

by detroit_fan on Jan 4, 2012 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Are you kidding?

NO APOLOGY NEEDED FROM YOU.

I like your stuff a lot. I’m not the biggest fan of college basketball but you bring a strong, Sabermetric-like view to the table. It’s probably the most professional stuff ever put on this blog. And you’ve only been single-handedly carrying for the (what seems like) past three months .

You’re awesome kid.

by amaizian on Jan 4, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the support!

Covering Michigan Basketball for Maize n Brew.
Twitter

by Alex Cook on Jan 4, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

Both?

Can I be a supporter of both, or is that not allowed?

by arcanetribe on Jan 4, 2012 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Long story guys. Thanks for sticking with us so far.

Tiger, I’ll shoot you a note tonight. As far as the rest of coverage goes, I should have a bowl contest page up later today and a sugar bowl recap in the next day or two. Maybe a season retrospective.

Thank you all for hanging around the blog. Appreciate your comments. Life has intervened for most of the writers of late, myself included, and we are grateful to have Tiger posting on basketball.

As far as MGo goes, Brian’s site has been extremely successful covering news and breaking down Michigan sports. This site is about the fan perspective. I’d acknowledge that this site has been lacking football content for a while, and we’re working to remedy that.

Lastly, because I feel compelled to say so as a RR supporter, I am totally in agreement that Brady Hoke is a better coach for M now. I don’t think anyone can disagree. My support for the previous coach lasted until M hired a new one, at which point I got behind Hoke. However, I will stand by my point that Rodriguez was a good man who genuinely wanted to succeed. He unfortunately didn’t do that, and hell, this is Michigan, fergodsakes. Let’s hope the ship had been righted for good. But don’t assume that the emergence of Hoke is the reason people haven’t been posting.

Go Maize, Blue, and Gray!

by Remember Bo on Jan 4, 2012 10:15 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Thanks for addressing this

I hope the “life” that has intervened with you isnt anything too tragic. Just know that you do have a group here of readers that are genuinely interested in the work you guys do here. We could easily go to other places to get our information (and often do) but we keep checking back here because it has been a reliable place in the past.

by IowaLion on Jan 4, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

Recap and BYCAPE are up

It’s y’all that make this site go around. We don’t have a huge readership, and our writers haven’t been the best in providing content, so we appreciate the loyalty. More to come in 2012.

Go Maize, Blue, and Gray!

by Remember Bo on Jan 4, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for responding. I was a little worried something major had happened to Dave. I sure hope that is not the case! Glad to see the blog is gonna keep going though. Thanks.

by PhilsForever on Jan 4, 2012 12:45 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Dave got a new job

Really happy, but really busy

Go Maize, Blue, and Gray!

by Remember Bo on Jan 4, 2012 1:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I also want to thank Tiger

for all his fab bball posts. I find it hard to get into Michigan bball until the football season is over. But now that it is, I will definitely have more interest in your posts.

I really have missed the football posts because you guys never failed to crack me up. I love reading about football and laughing at the same time. Nice job on the bowl game coverage Bo.

I can’t believe it’s the end of the season for Michigan fb. Seems like it just started. And now we have months and months until the ’Bama game. sigh

by futureUofMfbmom on Jan 4, 2012 7:35 PM CST reply actions