Exhale...

Ahhhh... that's me finally letting out my breath I've been holding since mid September. It was truly a team effort and the Hokies will again play for the ACC Championship! With Tyrod not at his best yesterday, the great Ryan Williams came out of the gate after missing a few games looking like the RB of 2009 which made me fall in love (football love, there's a difference) with our RB crew all over again. And let's not forget Jayron Hosley!! Holler!!! Leading the nation in INT's/game, our corner was able to show that it's not the size of the man, it's the size of the heart in the man that counts.
So with that in the bag, I'm looking forward to tonight's matchup in the NFL - Eagles vs. Giants. With Vick coming off the most talked-about performance since his college days, there's a lot to live up to. He was the hot topic on every sports-talk radio show last week, finally eclipsing the Brett Favre saga (over it!) Now I know many folks still HATE Vick and always will, and you have every reason to. But it's a great come-back story, a great football story and if you love any sport, I think you can appreciate it. Besides, it'll be a great game!

Hokies, Huskers & Giants round out the weekend!

Plenty to Celebrate! 4-0 in Conference Play
The Hokies seem to be in sync finally! The October schedule is a warm up for a very tough November, mostly on the road. If Hosely can continue to make those game-changing picks and Tyrod continues to be the best dual-threat QB in the nation, the ACC trophy could belong to us again! I've been trying hard not to pay attention to the BCS rankings but am very happy to see the Hokies break into the top 25 again. Is there a chance for a re-match against Boise? Ugh
Adding to an exciting Saturday, the Giants clinched the NLCS pennant last night in true nail-biting form! Usually, the baseball post-season would be completely overshadowed by football in our house but who can ignore the "misfits" Ross, Wilson, Posey, etc?? Would love to be in SF next week & feel the magic in the air!! 

Now THAT'S dedication!

Hokies right guard lost part of pinkie finger!
It's kinda gross but kinda cool too! Let's keep our fingers today Hokies and make it W for Homecoming weekend!
And to whomever does the college football scheduling, what were you thinking putting the VT game on at the same time as the NE game this weekend?? Both remotes will be using the 'prev' button A LOT!! My father-in-law is in Nebraska this weekend and has already sent photos of all the 'Horns in Lincoln... It'll be a sad lot after the Huskers take 'em down!!
Go Hokies & Huskers!!

Redemption & Renewal

As I sit in the salon chair, letting my color 'set', I'm feeling refreshed. Any gal knows that getting your hair did is like stripping off the gunk & grime and getting a 'redo'. And I'm hoping our Hokies have been able to feel the same after two decent wins. I also find myself rooting for another Hokie whose new day is dawning - #7, Michael Vick.
The Hokies face a tough NC State team, a team that trampled GT last weekend. A similar GT team that has seemed to frustrate the Hokies over the last few years. I think the Hokies will need some great play calling and some of those big INT's again this week to come out 2-0 in the ACC.
And Vick will need another unprecidented performance against the 'Skins to continue to win over the nation. I'm rooting for a lot of good stories this weekend and a lot of great football. Because I love this game. I really really love it.

Picking up the pieces

of my broken football heart...
Ugh, I couldn't have imagined a worse start to the football season. A season I had looked forward to since January 20th. Now I'm already looking forward to next year... well, maybe not. Tyrod graduates and then what? The only thing that could make that bearable is if Stinespring were fired.
I was obviously rendered speechless last weekend against JMU. What Hokie fan wasn't?? Over the last 3 games 2 things stick out to me:
1.The play-calling is STALE, predictable, and lacking innovation
2.The utter lack of use of the running backs we have stacked 3 high - the QB is the team's leading rusher!!
Any ideas guys? Should we start a petition? I'm afraid of losing Bud Foster, really afraid! We would have lost to ECU too if it weren't for the D! And now you've got 1 of your 3 "threats" on crutches?
So after last week, who would have thought that the REDSKINS would be my saving grace for the weekend?? What has the world come to?
Visit again later this week when I hypothesize about the future of the NFL and how it will effect the big college programs!

Getchru Groove On

Ok Hokies, I hope you've watch as much or MORE tape than I have and have gotten your groove back! JMU should be just the game for you to regain your confidence and understand that people are still talking about your COULDA BEEN come-back against Boise State. Let's let bye gone's be bye gone's.
Go out there and perform like a university that is backed by a tradition of cadets, veterans and active military men & women on the 9th anniversary of 9/11. Fight and give a HOKIE HOKIE HOKIE HI, Rae Ri Old V P I!

U-G-L-Y

 ... you ain't got no alibi (you know the chant)

Well, I guess part of the job of owning a blog is to write about the good, the bad, and the U-G-L-Y. So I'll keep it short & sweet. That game wouldn't have been a "good game" even if we'd actually pulled it out. My beloved hokies, you played like shit. Except you, Tyrod. The first half reminded me of the 1999 BCS Championship game when the only player on the field who appeared to be playing was your (spurned) Michael Vick. 

There wasn't one thing that can be blamed (like most games, when we place 99% of the blame on Stinespring). All around there were miscues, weak special teams, a virtually non-existent O line, and a certain #18 that caused us 30 yards in one play. All these things caused the play calling to be both risky and reserved. And were was the 2 headed monster running attack? There has to be some tricks up someone's sleeves to better utilize those two. And no one can hate on the "murdered out" uni's... they looked pretty awesome.

But alas, for the third year in a row, the Hokies fall in game number one. To the Hokie Nation, the money made from a game like that means nothing when there's no W next to it. All we can hope for now is that from here on out, there are no more L's and that gets recognized in December. But the sports world has a short memory.

Next year, is anyone rethinking App State as the opener?

Week 1... it's ain't over yet folks!

At certain times of the year, it’s tough to be away from home & what you love the most. For most people that time of year is the holiday’s. For me, it’s the onset of fall and college football. I miss walking down the street seeing the rows of VT and UVA flags flying proudly, eliciting good-natured neighborhood competition, the camaraderie of the tailgates, and most of all, the friends & family adorned with facepaint and logos who are always ready for a good banter about Stinespring.

So what did we learn about the ACC this first weekend of the 2010 season?

• UNC’s veteran QB showed poise and composure in the face of major adversity. With 7 starters (13 players in total) out due to speculations of academic fraud & taking benefits from agents (i.e. selfishness) Yates performed well under pressure and in the face of a legit LSU defense. Perhaps a pre-season ranking of 18 was a bit generous but we may never know…

• Jacory Harris looked great (that tasted like vinegar) and Miami showed speed & accuracy against a mismatched opponent. The pace of the no-huddle offense will be key when Tech faces Miami in November. Next week Miami faces Ohio State in a game that’s sure to get as much hype as the one we’re playing tomorrow.

• NC State won, but I’m not worried.

So while being surrounded by the PAC-10 is sometimes nauseating, there are big perks to being a west coast Hokie: spending the day in the sun at Roxbury Park with the hubby and dog, having a front row seat to the USC downfall, and watching the games from a bar with an ocean view! Looking forward to seeing my fellow Tech alum tomorrow in Hermosa!

The Countdown to Kickoff

I'm giddy like a little girl on Christmas Eve... we have a running attack like none other, a QB with legs and a passion for a championship and the Great Bud Foster. My only qualm is these 'special' black Nike uniforms that the Hokies will be wearing on Monday evening. See for yourselves & let me know what you think!

http://www.hokiesports.com/SIPhotos/images/procombat2010.jpg