A Quicky Random Nebraska-VT Musings

From BCO pix

First from everything I have heard Cornhusker nation is the most friendly and gracious group of fans ever encountered by Hokie fans. They even topped Aggie fans. Apparently they only treat Sooners like shit. Be proud Darren.

Yes VT for the 3rd week benefitted from some 15 yard unsportsmanlike calls, but like both at Carolina and 1 of the 2 vs GiT they were deserved. See Pic.

From BCO pix

Bo Pelini a fine coach and good sport afterwards made his first and HUGE mistake by railroading the ref. That 15 yarder shut him up.

From BCO pix

My takes ...

Offense

Tyrod looked good, almost real good. He still misses and occasional wide open receiver {cough} Boone again{cough} and a few open targets but it's clear he plays 100% better vs teams that run strictly man2man defenses, see Cornhuskers this year and f$u last year. Complicated zones still eat his lunch but he's learning and the wideouts are getting better.

Darren Evans is a damn good running back, maybe not an all timer here in Bburg but he needs to run it more. Sure KLJr looked good on Saturday nite but he isn't the guy. Why does everyone but Billy Hite, the rb coach see that?

From BCO pix

Wr and Te's are a work in progress but you can see it developing. Jarret Boykins is now starting as Dyrell Roberts has fallen back to the no. 3 receiver. Xavier Boyce the no. 5 receiver and true freshman is out for the year. Now VT has 5 wideouts and they don't seem to play 2 of them. Boone, Smith and Drager will see a lot more time and all 3 are capable receiving tight ends.

The OL is getting better at both run and pass blocking. If they stay injury free, they can be almost dominant by late in the year.

Stiney called his best game of the season, not great but much better. A lil fyi on who calls the plays. Stiney calls everything but the 2 min drill called by O'Cain and inside the 10 yard line those are called by rb coach Billy Hite. All plays from the booth are signaled in from Hite. It's been said he has changed an occasional play, but that isn't truly known.

Defense

The DL like the OL is jelling and getting after it. Orion Martin has turned in an above average DE and Jason Worilds now that he is getting healthy is going to have a monster game soon. John Graves is the bell cow at DT but Taco has been average best. Depth is a problem, only 1 DE and 1 DT off the bench ever make the rotation. This could be costly in a grind it out game.

Linebackers are solid, but not spectacular. Sturd looks good from time to time but he isn't Adibi. Hell, Cody Grimm makes as many plays as anyone in the group. Hard to believe the lil fellow is the son of a Hog!

The corners are studs as is usually the case in Blacksburgh. Virgil and Macho are the best duo in the ACC. Macho's pick on Saturday nite was beyond sweet. The Hokies are hurting at safety. Kam Chancellor plays better at Rover but is the Free safeties because Dorian Porch (too slow) and Davon Morgan (not comfortable) couldn't take the job in the spring. Now Morgan is out for the year with a blown ACL and Porch who backed up both spots is the starting Rover. The backups are true freshman and walkons. OUCH. A very thin spot.

Foster has done very well with this defense all things considering, but too many more injuries and the wheels might come off.

Dustin Keys is the man!!! A weakspot going in, looks strong as ever at the Kicker spot. Bowden has had a disappointing year, Tech will need him to step it up. Special Teams blocking is back, 5 blocked on the year ... Hells Yeah! A serious facemask grab and riding a Hokie out of bounds helped Swift get the punt return for a TD. Hell, the first TD pass by Ganz a serious hold was going on there too. Seems ACC refs suck no matter which part of the country they are in.

From BCO pix

Next week my 2nd half of the season predictions.