Gotta get some guys healthy (and/or signed to active squads) soon:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/hokies-in-the-nfl-week-four-1

Could you please let us know(as best you can) the break down of how many plays on defense we used zone coverage vs man to man? Success of Clemson versus each maybe. After it was clear that we couldn't maintain discipline or coverage in man to man, I was wondering if Bud switched to zone any. I don' recall offhand. It would be an interesting question to ask if not.

The anounser said during the game that Tech did not recruit Clanin Ferrell. I thought they did. And if not, Why?

Giving the wave to the Iowa kids during Game Day. Nicely done!

You guys are great a fun to tailgate with. Thanks Seadog for inviting us. I hate Jake lost a tooth in the beer challenge. Food and beer good too.

Hokie vs Clemson beer challenge tooth lost

1. No one was severely injured. Cam has what looked like a twisted ankle. Hopefully it's not a bad sprain.

2. Some of our young guys got some much needed experience and it happened against one of the unquestioned top two teams in the nation.

3. Defense held up its end for the most part. They gave up 24 points but not many yards.

4. O-line wasn't dreadful.

5. Jackson still looked good. Sure he had 2 INTs but only 1 was on him.

A little less dismaying with the long view, even though this one wasn't competitive.

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/clemson-shows-the-hokies-where-they-want-to-be-in-31-17-win

I really do think that this one showed VT how far they need to go to get to Clemson's level, and even within the course of this season, it can help with intensity, preparation, etc.

Trying to run through the rest of these ODU visit stories I have i the can before moving on to typing up some of the Clemson ones... should get through these all today:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/in-state-safety-sees-blacksburg

Tons of huge 2020 names added, I slid in the kids without Rivals profiles (even though those are inherently not the most exciting visitors), and confirmed several other big-timers.

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/virginia-tech-updated-visitors-list-clemson-2017

Does he survive the by week?

Four college BB assistant coaches have been arrested by FBI in a fraud investigation. Auburn, Southern Cal, Arizona, and Okalhoma State are schools involved. But the case is wide-spread to include other schools and down to AAU level. Recruits were being paid to go to certain schools and sign with certain agents. A shoe company was also involved.

Believe it or not, Louisville appears to be involved, though no Louisville coach has been arrested. Report says some recruit was paid to go to Louisville.

The FBI did this investigation, not NCAA. ( thankfully)

The ACC needs to step up, and kick Louisville out of conference.

and then again, NCAA hasn't punished UNC yet.

Former Hokie safety commit found his home at QB on the Plains:
Login to view embedded media

Even though the result wasn't what you guys wanted, I think Grich Fuente has the Hokies program back up there. Games and atmospheres like the one you guys had last night will definitely be the norm.

Georgia three-star Donte Burton:
Login to view embedded media Soon after he decommitted from North Carolina, the Hokies were considered the favorite, but they had other corners they liked more and didn't pursue him.

Jalen Alexander from Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch:
Login to view embedded media Don't see it being the Hokies, who have tried to recruit him as an offensive lineman with little traction.

what you say about Clemson D ?
--
They check in at #14, BECAUSE they've played 3 defenses ranking in the lower 1/3 of D1 football and an FCS team. Now, to go up against a #3 overall defense? Temper your expectations.
Wow, you're dense. The reason Clemson's defense checks in at #3 is BECAUSE they've played 3 really bad offenses, 2 of which rank in the bottom 10 in the country. And now you're going up against the best offense you've seen yet this year?

So how's this for tempered expectations...I promise you that on Sunday, Clemson will not still be ranked #3 in the country in total defense. Please feelfree to revisit the board next week and congratulate me on being right.

And for the record, VT's starters played sparingly in the 2nd halves in those games you mentioned above. If Fuente was just about big numbers against bad opponents, the carnage could've been much, much worse, and VT's offensive rankings could've been much, much higher. But he sat the starters in those games because they executed the game plan as well as any offense he's ever had. Fuente is hard to please, and he's been thrilled with this offense so far, which is more than good enough for me.

You guys have a terrific football team in all 3 phases of the game, and are very deserving of your ranking.

As for the game, our D did a little better than I was expecting, save for a few tackling issues in the 3rd qtr. If you would've told me Clemson would have 24 points on offense before the kickoff, I'd have taken it in a heartbeat.

Offensively, however, I was pretty horrified by the play calling in general. I thought before the game that VT could move the ball some, but I think this might've been the worst coached game on offense since this new staff has been in Blacksburg. In addition to numerous head scratching plays that killed drives (a QB draw into a blitz on 3rd and long, end arounds, screens when Clemson was laying back, etc.), the untimely fumble at midfield to start the 3rd qtr completely changed the complexion of the game, and the pick 6 that went right thru the receivers' hands was the nail in the coffin. When Jackson was allowed to sit in the pocket and run traditional pass plays, he had some really nice throws. But ALL of the other garbage that was called in this game did not work, period. I think our offensive coaches might have out-thought themselves in this one and tried to get cute, instead of just running the stuff that we're pretty good at running. I credit Clemson's D for intimidating the play calling, and hopefully this is a lesson learned for the future.

SO...my one 1 promise before the game was that Clemson would not still be ranked #3 in total D on Sunday...turns out I still might be right...maybe you'll be ranked #2, LOL.

Looking ahead, if VT doesn't figure out these really slow starts on offense and if the defense doesn't fix the poor tackling, Clemson might not see VT again this year. We have some work to do if we're going to earn a rematch. I felt pretty confident about VT sitting on top of the division before today. However, Miami looked very, very good in dismantling Duke, and we didn't look nearly as good as I thought we would tonight. Right now, I'm not sure how VT stacks up compared to Miami. I guess we'll find out here shortly.

We'll start diving deeper over the course of the day, as well:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/bryant-s-big-night-too-much-for-the-hokies

I think this one's close, but have Clemson winning:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/virginia-tech-hokies-football-preview-clemson-2017

What's your prediction?

I have never understood the animosity towards him by some on this board... I don't get it.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12095454


He seems like a great motivator, recruiter, and let's face it, all around coach. He's gotten results. They are the clear #2 program in the ACC.

Fuente has the Hokies primed for a good run. I truly wish my buddy VTSmitty was still here to see it.

Good luck tonight, Hokies. I know Blacksburg is rocking and I'll be rooting for you guys. GO HOKIES!!!!