Game 9 Microscope: Virginia Cavaliers

[GTJT622]

Halloween Day at Scott Sisson Stadium this year. Looking forward to it. Let's hope Tech doesn't look past a venue that has been a collection of horrors for the Good Guys all too often.

Tech now leads the all-time series with the French, 19-17-1, thanks to a 3-game winning streak we are currently riding to take the lead. Tech has won 5 of the last 6. But, just to remind us all, the one loss in that run (of putrid years in Charlottesville) was when an undefeated 6-0 12th-ranked Jackets team was beaten at SSS, 24-21.

Virginia is 10-4-1 over Tech at SSS. There have of course been some great games in this series. The 1990 41-38 still ranks as the best game ever for me personally in over 40 years of following Tech FB. 41-38 Part Two on Grant Field in 1998 when Tech came back from a huge hole to defeat 6th ranked UVA on homecoming was special as well.

Lots of question marks around this UVA team heading into the season. They were picked to finish dead last in the ACC Coastal. They were the only team in the 7-team division to receive no first place votes. Mike London was surprisingly given another year to right the ship. The schedule offers no help. UVA has one of the toughest OOC schedules in the nation - if not the toughest. They have to open at UCLA, then host Notre Dame, host Bill & His Old Lady (who the French have had trouble beating), before hosting Boise State on a Friday night. This is just September. They draw Syracuse at home and have to travel to Louisville as their 2 Atlantic cross-over ACC games. Louisville is of course now UVA's permanent Atlantic rival as UofL took Maryland's place essentially.

Tech had better not look past this UVA team - especially at SSS. They beat the Cardinals last year at home as well as Miami there late last season. The win over the Canes was in convincing fashion, 30-13, in fact. They lost at Duke by 7, at home to UNC by 1 (gave the game away), and at Va Tech by 4. They were in games late vs UCLA (undone by 3 interceptions thrown) and at BYU.

Former QB's David Watford (Hampton) and Greyson Lambert (Cesspool) are both gone via transfer. Watford made his decision at the end of last season. Lambert made his decision at the end of this spring's practices. Matt Johns won the starting QB during spring drills and HC London was quoted as saying "it wasn't even close"... http://www.dailypress.com/sports/uv...otball-wrapup-0424-20150423-story.html#page=1

While it is entirely possible (maybe even likely) UVA is 2-5 and either playing for their lives or throwing in the towel on the Mike London era when Tech arrives at SSS on Halloween, regardless I am hopeful that Tech's coaches and players know they had better strap it up. SSS has been a house of horrors for us fans all too often.

But, for now, let's remember some great times in this series...

We have to start with the final moments of the great 1990 game...


You can watch the entire game if you'd like...


Highlights from last year's win at BDS...


And that 1998 41-38 Part Two I referred to earlier... (boy, Tiki Barber ran his mouth a lot leading up to that game...what a moron!)


Like always, I'll be at SSS with my family. I've been at all 15 of 'em. 3 as a student. 12 as an alum. I've left that place all too often shaking my head in disbelief. This run we are on right now under CPJ has been a relief. Hopefully the Jackets - coming off a tough stretch of ND, Duke, UNC, Clemson, Pitt, and FSU, bring their best on Halloween.

 

[BornAJacket]

in 1990, one of the best post game interviews ever. Coach Ross had his priorities in the right order that day.

 

[GTJT622]

in 1990, one of the best post game interviews ever. Coach Ross had his priorities in the right order that day.

Amen to that.

Additional note...considering he was on the sidelines as head coach leading Maryland to what many consider the greatest comeback ever in CFB when the Terps came from down 31-0 at the half on the road in the Orange Bowl against 6th ranked and defending national champion Miami Hurricanes to win 42-40, that is saying A LOT when Boss Ross states "it is the greatest win I have ever had" during the postgame interview on the field with the CBS sideline reporter.

 

[BornAJacket]

You are right, that was a huge statement.

I wish I had time to watch the entire game right now.

 

[Texwood]

I hope tonight's beatdown has the hoos throwing in the towel on London well before we meet them in a classic trap scenario. I've worried about our game at Scott Sisson Stadium since first putting eyes on the schedule. I want these guys to be in a complete state of disarray when we head up there. Tonight looks like a good start.

 

[GTJT622]

Agree and disagree. The status quo looks pretty good.

What we don't want is a team fighting for some interim coach like the Dukies did for Ted Roof the last time Duke beat us at WWS 12 years ago. I don’t think these guys are fighting for London much at all. The QB at the Cesspool has to be LHAO right now.

Of course come Halloween I expect they'll play 622 miles over their heads.

 

[GTJT622]

FWIW, Good Guys open as 3.5 pt favorites at Scott Sisson Stadium.

 

[BornAJacket]

From this point on, every game is Admiral Ackbar's game.

 

[GTJT622]

Our November 7th game against Bye Week is set for a 13pm kickoff and will be televised by an obscure channel in Kyrgyzstan. Those wacky Kyrgyzstanis. They'll watch anything.

 

[GTJT622]

I'm thinking of going to Sisson Stadium this weekend dressed as Admiral Johnson. I could use you girls' help. Should I go as...

Golfing Paul Johnson? or...

Lead singer in the band Sha Na Na? or...

Happy Paul Johnson? or...

Smiling Paul Johnson? or...

I've Had It Up To Here Paul Johnson?

 

[GTJT622]

Some stats to ponder...

*The French are 125th (out of 127) nationally in TO margin per game at -1.57. Ouch! They've fetched 6 TO's while giving up 17 for -11 total on the season. (Tech is tied for 57th at +0.25 per game...giving up 12 and getting 14 for +2 total)

*The French are 92nd nationally in offensive (pun intended) yards per play at 5.30. Note, right ahead of them is our next opponent (Hokies) at 91st with 5.32. (Tech is 36th at 6.15)

*The French are 112th nationally in defensive yards per play allowed at 6.20. (Tech is 72nd at 5.66)

*The French are 123rd nationally in INT's thrown at 13.

*The French are 92nd nationally in penalties per game at 7.3. (Tech is 1st at 3.3)

*The French are 1st nationally in punt return average at 26.0. They've only returned 6 punts all season though. (Tech is 41st at 11.0 on 15 returns)

 

[stech81]

Our November 7th game against Bye Week is set for a 13pm kickoff and will be televised by an obscure channel in Kyrgyzstan. Those wacky Kyrgystanis. They'll watch anything.

I hate 13 pm knockoffs , I may not watch bye and us may just drink beer all that day.

 

[BornAJacket]

Halloween will be a scary time in Charlottesville.

 

[GTJT622]

Halloween will be a scary time in Charlottesville.

I was thinking of going as an empty stadium, but didn't want to clash with other's costumes...

 

[BornAJacket]

so you are saying it might be an easy ticket?

 

[GTJT622]

Significant money rolling in on the Jackets early this week as the line has moved a full 2 pts from -3.5 to -5.5 in 24 hours.

 

[stech81]

Significant money rolling in on the Jackets early this week as the line has moved a full 2 pts from -3.5 to -5.5 in 24 hours.

You need to slow down on your betting. Please tell me you are not using your beer money.

I'm still looking for your hat. I don't know if this one has it but for you my friend I will keep following her to see if she has it.

 

[GTJT622]

The French game depth chart... http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools...pdf/2015-16/depth_chart_event/depth_chart.pdf

Assuming Marshall starts at B-Back and Bryan starts at RT, that means with this current depth chart we will return 9 starters on offense next year if they all maintain their starting roles and/or no seniors break through to begin starting, no attrition, etc.

On defense, this depth chart has 6 senior starters. All 4 DB's of course (welcome back, DJ White!), Marcordes and Gotsis. Gamble is listed as the starter at DT beside Gotsis. I know AJ Gray and Step Durham have been getting more snaps of late which I'm pleased to see.

Come on up to God's Country and kick some Frenchy behind!! Let's go Jackets!!

 

[Buzzforlife]

Hope that I am wrong again:
Who, Hoos from Whahooville, 30.
Good Guys wearing white helmets with a GT, 24.
{CPJ liked the way the team has practiced}.

Side note: Hearing that Jr.-R Francis Kallon might not play next year, his choice after he graduates. Recruiting Office trying to get a read on how many more we have to give.

 

[GTJT622]

I think anybody who may believe we are going to walk into SSS and wax these guys is delusional. I think this game goes down to the wire. UVA is a significantly better team at home than they are on the road. Yes, yes, I'm aware of the Boise State embarrassment earlier this season at SSS. But, they'll be ready. Their stadium will be less than half full and will potentially lull our guys to sleep. While the win over FSU was much needed and thrilling, there are plenty of pimples on this team that are ugly enough to hopefully remind these guys not to be overconfident.

I'll be there loud and proud for the 17th time in a row (haven't missed one since '82), but I've left that place so many times thinking "what just happened" that I'll never go in most likely with a ton of confidence that we will either win or certainly not win convincingly. Having said that, I like the Jackets to win this one something like 31-27.

 

[Texwood]

The French game depth chart... http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools...pdf/2015-16/depth_chart_event/depth_chart.pdf

Assuming Marshall starts at B-Back and Bryan starts at RT, that means with this current depth chart we will return 9 starters on offense next year if they all maintain their starting roles and/or no seniors break through to begin starting, no attrition, etc.

On defense, this depth chart has 6 senior starters. All 4 DB's of course (welcome back, DJ White!), Marcordes and Gotsis. Gamble is listed as the starter at DT beside Gotsis. I know AJ Gray and Step Durham have been getting more snaps of late which I'm pleased to see.

Come on up to God's Country and kick some Frenchy behind!! Let's go Jackets!!

And...if Chris Griffin hadn't blown his knee out during the off season I'd wager that he would be the starting tackle opposite Will (as he certainly will be next year). After a bit of a down year on offense, we should be firing on all cylinders again in 2016.

 

[GTJT622]

And...if Chris Griffin hadn't blown his knee out during the off season I'd wager that he would be the starting tackle opposite Will (as he certainly will be next year). After a bit of a down year on offense, we should be firing on all cylinders again in 2016.

Good call, mate. Let's hope Chris comes back 100% and playing at the high level that he did in '14. We will have our work cut out for us starting in Game 1 in Ireland against the ACC's best defense and the nation's top rush defense.

 

[GTJT622]

Campus Insiders preview of the game in God's Country... http://campusinsiders.com/news/georgia-tech-vs-virginia-prediction-game-preview-10-26-2015

 

[Melanie1]

Still sick, so I could drive up to Charlottesville this week and do the whole germ warfare if needed.

 

[GTJT622]

The UVA Snobs are so snooty, they don't contract a case of the crabs from risky sex...

...oh no, they contract a case of the lobsters.

 

[stech81]

GTJT it's your job to get this win this week. Melaine1 Texwwod,Buzzforlife , and me will get us the win at home against VPI.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Still sick, so I could drive up to Charlottesville this week and do the whole germ warfare if needed.

We were in a local hospital during the entire game last Saturday(not sure if I knocked over the equipment or my son did, because I was waiving my hands to block the FG and then fell over the bed when Austin cut back from the sideline to proceed those last red zone yards towards the end zone), so yesterday I asked the "Heart Specialist" if we could stay until 7p.m. on Halloween?

He turned me down, but hey-we are 1-0 this season while in the E.R.
I had to try!

 

[Melanie1]

The UVA Snobs are so snooty, they don't contract a case of the crabs from risky sex...

...oh no, they contract a case of the lobsters.

Wait a minute.... I just have a bad cold/bronchitis. We can't all live the Louisville lifestyle GTJT....

 

[BornAJacket]

I feel very good about GT being focused and executing the offense well Saturday

 

[stech81]

Guess I was wrong AJ Gray and Devine out this week.

 

[GTJT622]

That's ok. This isn't the first time you've been wrong, mate. There was that time back in '78 when you said you'd had enough beer for the night. Bummer for AJ and Shamire. Team is beat up per CPJ. Getting to the bye week with a 2 game win streak would be nice. I say we just forfeit to Bye. Beating them doesn't help our playoff chances.

 

[GTJT622]

Wait a minute.... I just have a bad cold/bronchitis. We can't all live the Louisville lifestyle GTJT....

UVA people are too important to get a bad cold or bronchitis. I know these things. They tell me so. Instead, they have their house maids and butlers get it for them.

 

[Buzzforlife]

These injuries coupled with a hooty opponent in a more potentially serene environment, calls for precautionary measures:
1)Stech81, please wear your animal house, beer-stained briefs from the last game. Hopefully you did not wash them yet, just wear heavy pants over them.
2)GTJT, please wear those pre-Halloween, orange Tenn. Vol. boxers you modeled for the wife last weekend. You are probably going to moon some French people at S.S.Stadium this Saturday, so those might not cause a riot since it is trick or treat day in the mountains. Standard fare in WVa.
3)Mrs. Melanie, please ignore your husband and wear those white panties with the yellow bumble bees all over them. These are drastic times with streaks on the line! Cough on the early candy seekers, you have a game to watch. They will spread the word for no more disturbances.
4)Texwood, please wear the same boots. You are Techwood now, just like the Miracle on 10/24.
5)BAJ, please wear your solid white boxer/briefs from the whiteout. Whomever pulled you pants down after the game on the field made ESPN 2 go off the air.
6)Yes we have a six on here. I will wear the white hospital gown a nurse gave me from a week ago. It has not been laundered, and allows extra space down under. Adam Gotsis would bee proud.

 

[BornAJacket]

well, that didn't work.

Amazing...

 

[stech81]

well, that didn't work.

Amazing...

It was my fault I got messed up and read it wrong. I didn't wear my animal house beer stained briefs. I was reading Melanie's about wearing her panties with yellow bees and I got my wife's panties and put them on. I'll try and read it better next time.

 

[Buzzforlife]

At least you were wearing panties. It is my fault too. I wasted an entire bottle of whiteout corrector on my eyebrows, lashes and chest hairs.

See if I do that again, had to waste two good beers getting all the white out!

 

[BornAJacket]

I thought we had all the bases covered.

I guess that just goes to show us how much influence we have off the field.

Next time we need to be more active on the sidelines.

 

[BornAJacket]

From this point on, every game is Admiral Ackbar's game.

 

[Melanie1]

It's official. God hates us. Someone is sacrificing chickens, goats, ferrets... something. I lit a candle at church at 2:59 on Saturday (did the same before the F$U games and it worked) and either God doesn't like for people to pray about football, or we aren't the chosen ones. Lucky everything failed us Saturday. Against the french. I got nothing.

 

[Buzzforlife]

Mel.;
I even went to confession. Told the Priest I rooted against Notre Dome, found a five dollar bill on the sidewalk. He told me to say 7 Hail Mary's, 6 Our Father's, and put the five bill in the collection basket during Mass.