Let me state that I emphatically hate idiot callers on radio talk shows. Let me add that I am one of those idiots and I will gladly participate if anyone even so much as pretends that they think I have something valuable to say. And the fine folks at CFB Weekly allowed me to have a return appearance to the show, so go ahead and give it a listen.

From what I recall, I was asked if we could win against BC if Matt Ryan was able to shred our defense. I like our offense, but I don’t think the team can win without a fine effort from the defense (and special teams).

Asked about the status of Bowden, I can say that his position is still up in the air and dependent on how the season ends. It’s great to be 8-2 and on a 4-game winning streak, but the happiness can easily be shattered by 3 straight losses. Additionally, I have the fear that once Tommy really achieves success, he may just up and leave. He certainly has a lot invested in the program, but at some point it just might not be worth dealing with Clemson fans anymore.

Lastly, there was a question about the ACCCG and who I would rather see Clemson play (based on the huge IF about beating BC). I choose Virginia Tech. Sure they’ve got a better defense. And special teams that destroy us. And the momentum in the series recently. However, I think UVA can play with more focus and is more able to will a victory. The destruction of Miami at their hands reminds me too much of Wake’s thrashing of FSU around this time last year. That said, I fucking hate UVA and while I would love to bury the bastards, I have a gut feeling that reason will go out the window and some stupid shit will happen and lead to their victory and I absolutely cannot deal with that.

Somewhere back in the preseason, I predicted that BC fans would be upset that their previous coach left. While that may still prove to be the case, the odds aren’t working in favor of that prediction. Especially after tonight. BC broke the #2 ranking curse and pulled out an amazing victory at Virginia Tech.

For 56 minutes, there were shades of the Clemson-VT game of last year; a highly touted team visits Blacksburg, goes nowhere on offense, and leaves with only the the faintest memory of pride. But those last 4 minutes mattered a lot. From the 10-0 deficit, VT accumulated, per the ESPN stats, 168 yards and 14 pts on the back of Matt Ryan on two drives, the latter drive coming after recovering an onside kick. Prior to those drives, the Eagles had only amassed 149 yards of total offense (Clemson managed just 172 total yards last year)

In other words, life sucks for Hokies right now.

There are two other things I saw during the game that are worth noting:
1 - After leading the two successful drives, Matt Ryan threw up all over the BC sidelines.
2 - The demeanor of head coaches means jack. Two weeks ago USF got beat on Thursday night and I literally feared their head coach’s head was going to pop like “a zit. Get it?” Tonight Jags seemed very calm even when things weren’t going well. Actually, when things were going well he was all smiles. And after BC scored the winning touchdown he was practically prancing around on the sideline.
ADDENDUM
3 - I forgot to add this last night, but one of the things that BC did really well last night was falling on loose footballs. There were a number of times when the ball was squirming around and up for grabs and BC did a really excellent job of gaining or regaining possession.

Let’s just say that I am displeased, but not entirely surprised, by the first half of the game.

But instead of unleashing a real-time rant about the performance, I’m going to wait until later, possibly until the game is over, possibly until I have counted to 10, or possibly until I have consumed more alcohol than is reasonable or safe.

Last week we went on the road to play Tech. Tech’s offense is horrible and we were favored. And of course we lost.

So this week, Tech (no, the other one) goes on the road to visit Clemson. Their offense is horrible and we are favored.

Seems to be a pattern.

But let me admit that I lied. GT’s offense is only pretty bad. Virginia Tech’s is horrible, it’s not quite Notre Dame horrible, but horrible nonetheless. The passing game is 104th in the country and the rushing game is 91st. They combine for a crowd pleasing 286 ypg and 112th ranking (90 yards better than Notre Dame, though).

They’ve managed to play both East Carolina and North Carolina close at home. Actually, they’ve had 4 of 5 games at home so far this season. In Blacksburg they played only well enough to win. (Ok, so they did whip up on William & Mary.) Their lone road trip was to Deaf Valley where the other, other, other Tigers made Tech look like William & Mary.

On defense, the numbers show Tech (Virginia) to be top-20ish, but not as good as Tech (Georgia). They’re both close in terms of special teams as well.

What stands out to me is VT’s negative turnover margin. That’s just not Beamer ball.

I don’t even know what that last sentence means, but I wanted to sound like the guys on TV.

Anyway, let me make my predictions: VT will rush for 130, pass for 200, recover 2 fumbles, make 1 interception, score 14 easy points related to turnovers and get another 7 on special teams. The offense will manage another 10 points. In total, that’s 31 for Tech.

Clemson will not be so lucky. The offense will move the ball with surprising ease but will be unable to overcome a few big mistakes.

Final score: Tech 31, Clemson 27. Another week of frustration ensues. I suggest hiring Lou Holtz just so he can come here, win, and let us spite the hell out of USCe.

VT vs. Clemson, 6 PM on ESPN. Be afraid be very afraid. Of course GT must come first, but you can’t say that this gnome didn’t see it coming. The revenge game from Clemson’s dismantling at Blacksburg on the fateful Thursday night will be reciprocated in a Death Valley showdown that you can guarantee will match the GT blowout crowd performance from last year. ESPN probably had this one penciled in the books after the Tigers took out FSU at the beginning of the season. Never the less, the Hokies had better get their A-game on for a night in the Valley, cause these fans have a Miami like ear shattering pain to lay on the hokie O when they come in after embarassing our team from last year. Karma, aint it a bitch.

DAMNIT!! This is making it really hard to think about GT now…….CRAP!

Forget you ever read this post and return to your Tommy Bowden shrines.

This is the motto that the team has adopted for the season. How long until this becomes completely useless? Does it become completely useless or a season long motivator? How many athletic gray T’s with the motto screen printed on it will the stores sell this season? I personally think that we should screen print “Remember VT 24-7″ for a motivator. What else was such a turning point for the Tigers? Give em something to be bitter about. What do you think?

Like last year, I have done my best to roundup all the competing post-spring/pre-season rankings.

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Both go out to our conference partners, Virginia Tech, in this time of crisis. Please remember them as you go through the next few days. It was only a few days until finals, summer break and graduation and now 31 young lives (as of this posting) have been taken, all due to one student who couldn’t handle the pressure anymore. I would say more about losing lives in their prime and what it does to families, but I feel that everyone should recognize and deal with this their own way, as a nation dealing with school shootings and as a conference partner who will need support in many ways. Continue to show the conference why Clemson has always been recognized for its passionate fans.