Dear Old U.Va.

2009 Game Previews: Virginia Tech

Wednesday, November 25 2009 by Tiki

I am, once again, out of town for Thanksgiving, and therefore did not have time to write my customary preview.  So, this will be short and sweet.  OK, not sweet.  But short. 

Besides, at this point, I'm pretty sure nobody wants to read about our football team anyway, unless it is about new coaches.  That's certainly all anybody is talking about.

This week is the big game, the matchup against Virginia Tech.  Scott Stadium is expected to be about 50% full of Hokies, which sucks.  The team could certainly use the fan support, and it would be nice to send Groh out with some cheers.  Of course, if the game goes as the rest of this season has, the Hokies may well be cheering Groh.

Virginia on Offense

Our offense still sucks.  In case you didn't know.  We actually looked pretty good in the first half against Clemson.  But then halftime happenned, and our offense decided not to show up for the second half.  The wildcat with Mikell Simpson was working.  He got hurt, and we never went back to it.  A couple of chances with Vic, but no success.  It is clear that Vic isn't the same type of runner that Mikell is.  Vic is more of threat to pass, but Mikell is the better pure runner. 

Perhaps we could try the wildcat with Perry Jones.  Or (gasp!) Max Millien.  Somebody who is quick enough, and strong enough to hit the hole hard.  Vic is a very good open field runner, but he's not the type to bust through a hole between the tackles. 

The trick plays were nice too.  A bit late, but fun.  For a team with an athletic QB (Sewell), and two WRs who could be QBs (Vic and Quentin Hunter), there should've more of this.  The play with the pitch to Vic, where he threw the TD to Torchia...I can't understand why we waited until we were 3-7 to try this.  You're telling me this play couldn't have worked against BC when we were struggling to score points?  It seems like the kind of play that is relatively low-risk for a trick play, because of Vic's QB experience.  And with Hunter out there, you'd think we could try something really special.  (Note: I have not forgotten about Riko Smalls, the other QB/WR have.  Al Groh, apparently, HAS forgotten about him.)

Virginia Tech's defense is good.  They are ranked 13th nationally in both scoring defense and total defense.  They are 6th against the pass.  But they are only 51st against the run.  So, again, we will probably throw 40+ times.  Because Groh and Brandon are geniuses.  Tech is in the top 25% in both sacks and TFLs.  My point is that we aren't going to score much on them. 

Virginia on Defense

Tech's offense does not provide a great matchup for us.  We struggle to stop the run (82nd nationally), but we are very good against the pass (22nd).  Tech can't throw (98th nationally in passing offense), but they are very good at running the ball (18th). 

Running back Ryan Williams is 7th in the nation in rushing, and he runs behind a good OL.  QB Tyrod Taylor is also strong on the ground, and frankly is a bigger threat with his legs than with his arm.  Taylor is 13th in the nation in passing efficiency, but he completes just 55% of his passes, and he has thrown it just 20 times per game.  Still, he has 13 TDs and just 3 INTs, which is the biggest reason his efficiency is high.  Despite his strong resume, if we can stop the run, and force Taylor to beat us through the air, our secondary will have chances to make plays.  Of course, the big if there is stopping Williams and the ground game.  It will likely require using a safety as an extra man in the box.

Clemson also had a strong ground game, with a great RB, and we stopped CJ Spiller.  Another defensive performance like that will be needed.  Of course, as usual, if the offense can't stay on the field, the defense will tire out.

Conclusion

One thing I didn't mention is special teams.  VT has long been known for "Beamer-Ball", which is a term I absolutely can't stand.  Seriously, all Beamer-Ball means is that VT is good at defense and special teams, but sucks on offense.  It's been that way for basically a decade, and he actually gets credit for it.  Teams like Florida and Texas are great on defense and special teams also, but they can also play offense, so nobody credits them for their own brand of football.  They are just good.  And that the biggest difference between VT and the real upper-echelon of college football that VT thinks they are a part of.

But I digress.  Our specials teams have, for the most part, been atrocious this year.  Ron Prince was supposed to be the special teams savior.  I don't have a clue what the opposite of savior is, but whatever it is, Ron Prince is that.  If we have special teams miscues, like muffed punts and dropped kickoffs, it will kill us.  VT's offense is not good enough that we need to help them by giving up chunks of field position.  Winning the field position game will go a long way towards winning this game.

Regardless of the outcome of this game, Al Groh is gone.  I encourage everybody who is attending the game (alas, I am not) to give Al a standing ovation at the end of the game, win or lose.  For all his shortcomings as a coach (and there are many), he is a very good person, and he loves The University of Virginia.  He represents the school well, and he will continue to do so after he is no longer our coach.  I truly hope we can send him off honorably.  Somehow, I doubt it though.  Especially if, as I expect, we lose. 

Prediction: Hokies 30, Hoos 13.  And the nightmare (finally) ends.