SB Nation User Blog: furrer4heisman

It's That Time of Year Again: Bud Foster to Memphis?

furrer4heisman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:34:53 -0000

More photos » by Steve Helber - AP

Every year when a decent head coaching job comes open Bud Foster's name gets bandied about on Virginia Tech message boards. Earlier this year I even speculated that Louisville would be a good fit for Foster when they decide to give Kragthorpe the ax. But the Louisville jobs and the ones before it all fit into Foster's criteria: A BCS school with a history of success he could thrive at.

My thought was always that Foster wasn't going to get his shot at a head coaching job until he changed his criteria for a job worth leaving Virginia Tech for. Brace yourselves, because it's happened. According to Mark Viera's blog post over at the Washington Post, Foster is interested in the Memphis head coaching job:

Asked what would be attractive about the program, Foster said: "It's a Conference USA job. You look at teams like Cincinnati, you look at teams like Pittsburgh, you look at teams like Louisville - those three have recently had success that are in urban kind of settings. Memphis is in that same kind of setting and in a pretty decent area from a recruiting standpoint, when you start looking at the athletes they have in that area."

Let the meltdown begin.

Foster's interest in a CUSA job will definitely get the attention of Tech fans who have long feared that Foster would leave and chaos would ensue. Memphis doesn't even come close to what Foster has said he wants in a football program. It's never been better than mediocre and the Tigers have been to seven bowls in their history, five since 2003.

If Foster's interested in Memphis, it means he's going to be interested in a lot more jobs that are destined to come open this offseason. I think Bud has finally realized that he's not going to go directly from being a defensive coordinator to being the head coach at a top tier program. He's going to have to cut his teeth somewhere like Memphis if he wants his opportunity.

Is this the year Bud leaves Virginia Tech? You tell me.

Poll

What's your reaction to Bud Foster's interest in the Memphis head coaching job?

Happy Veterans Day

furrer4heisman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:51:04 -0000

Happy Veterans Day

Virginia Tech at Maryland: Q&A with Testudo Times

furrer4heisman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:59:43 -0000

by Ethan Hyman - AP

View full size photo »

We haven't seen the Hokies play the Terps since 2005. So to get a better feel for the reeling Maryland team we'll see on Saturday, I turned to bbroman from SB Nation's Terp blog Testudo Times. My answers to his questions are hyah.

GC: Which of the losses this season has been the toughest to swallow this season and is this team really as bad as its record indicates?

TT: There hasn't been a single loss that was particularly easy to swallow, so this is a tough choice. At the time of the game, I felt worse about the Duke loss than any since or before, but it's clear that this Duke team isn't terrible. Looking back, I have to say Middle Tennessee State, simply because we lost to them last year in Murfreesboro. I was expecting revenge, and it didn't happen. Worse, we lost a series to a directional.

As for Maryland being as bad as the record indicates: no. They're worse. Both of Maryland's wins - one against James Madison in overtime, the other a squeaker against Clemson - came by 3 points. In both games, the opposing team's kicker had two makeable FG attempts that they missed. That's not to say this team is as bad as some of the winless Duke teams from earlier this decade, as all the games have been close, but they're not good.

How hot is Ralph Friedgen's seat right now as Maryland's head coach?

Short version - from the fans: pretty darn toasty. From the administration:...well...

Most fans are pretty fed up with the big man. Everyone appreciates what he did for this team, but he's lost his mojo, and it's painfully obvious.

Unfortunately, he has a rather hefty buyout, and Debbie Yow, for all she's done for the Olympic sports at Maryland, has been lax to move on some of the revenue sports. Her position is iffy, considering the economic conditions right now. And sadly, if she's not gung-ho on getting rid of the Fridge, Maryland's boosters are too basketball-centric to make it happen on their own.

What do you expect out of quarterback Jamarr Robinson in this game?

You're guess is as good as ours. He's a big question mark for us, too. The little that we do know is that he has a lot of athletic talent, quick feet, and a strong arm, though he's notoriously unfamiliar with the playbook and slower mentally. His mental shortcomings shouldn't matter too much - James Franklin should alter his playcalling a bit, and the pocket will collapse without seconds anyway. Robinson will either have a surprisingly good game and keep Maryland in it with his feet, or he'll be demolished and look lost. Neither would absolutely shock me.

We know Alex Wujciak (and his dreadlocks) is a beast, but give us another reason Hokie fans should be concerned about facing Maryland's defense.

First off, Wujciak gets a lot of credit around ACC circles for his tackles, as he deserves, but he's not nearly as good as his numbers indicate. Good, but not great or All-ACC worthy - he's not athletic enough or savvy enough against the pass for that.

Now, moving on to the question: Maryland can get to the QB when they want to. Don Brown tends to confuse even Maryland fans with his playcalling, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad (like not blitzing NCST at all). But if he decides to try to get to Tyrod Taylor, he will, probably with Demetrius Hartsfield, Adrian Moten, and Kenny Tate. If Taylor wants to keep VT going, he'll have to make quick decisions against what could be a soft secondary.

This game has been sold out for a while, but what percentage of Byrd Stadium do you think will be Hokie fans on Saturday? Are a lot of Terp fans dumping their tickets because of the way the season's gone?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was above 50%. Most Maryland fans got in it for basketball, not football. When the gridiron side of things starts going wrong, they have a terrible tendency to simply become apathetic about football. Calling this a road game might be a stretch.

Freshman QB Could Play for Maryland

furrer4heisman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:14:32 -0000

Freshman QB Could Play for Maryland

Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen is considering burning the redshirt of freshman quarterback Danny O'Brien for Saturday's game against Virginia Tech. It's a move Testudo Times calls "simply absurd."

Where You Can Watch the Virginia Tech-Maryland Football Game on "TV"

furrer4heisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:22:56 -0000

This week's game at Maryland is being streamed on ESPN360.com, but will not be broadcast either over the air or on cable. However, there are a few places that will have the Internet feed hooked up to a television of some sort, including several Hokie Club and VTAA sponsored watch parties. A list of places to watch the game comes after the jump. If your watch party or bar isn't listed, please e-mail me at gobblercountry-at-gmail-dot-com.

In Blacksburg:

Champs Sports Bar
111 N. Main St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540-951-2222

In NOVA and DC:

Kilroy's in Springfield
5250-A Port Royal Rd.
Springfield Virginia 22151
703-321-7733

Tidewater Hokie Club Suggests:

Shorebreak
2941 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757-481-9393

Richmond VTAA Suggests the Following BW3 Locations:

Buffalo Wild Wings Downtown
1501 E Cary St
Richmond, VA 23219
804-648-8900

Buffalo Wild Wings West End
7801 W Broad St #10
Richmond, VA 23294
804-672-8732

Buffalo Wild Wings Glen Allen
1090 Virginia Center Pkwy
Glen Allen, VA 23059
804-553-9998

Buffalo Wild Wings Midlothian
12056 Southshore Pointe Drive
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-739-9266

Los Angeles VTAA Watch Party:

Cruz Room
1334 Hermosa Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-3818

New York City VTAA Watch Party:

Village Pourhouse
64 Third Ave at 11th St.
New York, NY 10003
212-979-BEER

Seattle VTAA Watch Parties:

The Peoples Pub
5429 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-6521

Buckley's in Belltown
2331 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
206-588-8879

Your TV:

Reader Bob Stevens e-mailed to say anyone can hook up their computer to their television with the right equipment. "For any viewers that have plasma or LCD TVs, you can easily hook your computer to your TV with an HDMI, DVI to HDMI or S-Video cable (depending on your video card) and watch ESPN360 full screen. It is not HD quality but it works great and beats dropping money at the bar."

Bourbon Shots: Pro Combat Reaction Edition

furrer4heisman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:48:09 -0000

Reaction to the actual jerseys is varied but polarized. Most fans I've seen here on the blog and on The Twitter either love them or hate them. But almost universally, fans and media think Nike missed the mark by marketing this as good guys (Hokies) vs. bad guys (Terps) when Maryland will be wearing jerseys to honor the wounded warrior project.

Nike Pro Combat Uniforms and Helmets to be auctioned off (HokieSports)
"The Virginia Tech football team will wear the newly designed Nike Pro Combat uniform when they take on the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland, Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. Nike is donating the uniforms and helmets to be auctioned off online at hokiesports.com, with all proceeds going to Herma’s Readers. Herma’s Readers is a non-profit organization that promotes the power of reading and literacy to youngsters during their formative years, grades K-3."

Hokies unveil their new look (Aaron McFarling)
"But don't worry, folks. All is well. The Nike people have changed that now with their state-of-the-art "Pro Combat" line of clothing, a name that shouldn't offend real soldiers, because we all know real soldiers love football and don't mind having their daily brushes with death juxtaposed with the image of some me-first linebacker stopping a third-and-2 and then doing the Pee Wee Herman dance."

Virginia Tech unveils new uniforms (Darryl Slater)
"You can’t fault Tech in this situation. Tech’s Corps of Cadets makes it one of the most military-friendly public schools in the nation. Moreover, Tech is one of America’s six senior military colleges; the other public school is Texas A&M. Despite Beamer and his staff picking the jerseys and pants for Saturday, Tech’s uniform campaign is Nike territory – part of the contract between the school and shoe peddler."

Let's Not Call it Combat (Kyle Tucker)
"And let me be the first to say this: I don’t fault the Hokies one bit for playing along with whatever gimmick Nike wants them to. If that company wants to turn Tech into Oregon-East (which might be the case, considering the Hokies have already worn five different jersey combinations this year) ... Frank Beamer and company will let them."

Virginia Tech's uniforms vs. Maryland (Mark Viera)
"The theme for the unveiling -- trumpeted in bold capital letters on a banner on the stage -- was "Good guys wear white." The uniforms displayed Monday afternoon were white. The Hokies will wear those white uniforms against the Terrapins, who will be wearing black-and-tan uniforms, designed by Under Armour, to honor military veterans and to promote the Wounded Warrior Project."

Virginia Tech news and notes (Nathan "Tommie Frazier" Warters)
"Say this about the Hokies – they’re one of the most fashionable teams in college football. They have their relationship with Nike to thank for that."

Nike Pro Combat Uniform Review… (College Game Balls)
"Acceptable names are: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Tech or VT. Nike you’re embarassing yourself with putting ‘VA TECH’ on the back. And yes I know it’s just a mock up."

Another reason why the Maryland Game is a Home Game (The North End Zone)
"I'm just going to come out and say it. These uniforms are ass ugly. Between the slow fade of orange to maroon in the numbers and the fact that they suck, I'm not liking them. And what's the deal with new uniforms? Do we get new designs each year now? I mean we had the single orange sleeve unis, the orange piping on the maroon unis, the old school throwback bi-colored stripes on the shoulder unis (which were the best of the bunch) and now these. Can't we just pick a friggin' uniform and stick with it?"

Nike Owns VT: Evaluating the "Pro Combat" Line (Fight for Old DC)
"I think these uniforms are pretty cool overall. I don't like that we seem to be changing our brand every week, considering that this is now at least the sixth combination that the Hokies have worn this season. However, it's a pretty good look, and it sticks to the standard "all-white" look that we've adopted over the last several seasons. It's just a shame that no one will get to see them, because this stupid game is on ESPN360. I hate you Maryland...good thing I'll be there!"

Maryland-Virginia Tech: Shield Your Eyes (Testudo Times)
"Yes, that's a gradient on the number. And gradients on the shoulders. Gradients. It also looks like there's some weird stuff going on at the back of the knee, and the shoulder looks like it has Oregon's wing design...ugh."

Virginia Tech Hokies Unveil Nike Pro Combat Uniforms for the Maryland Game

furrer4heisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:22:19 -0000

via www.hokiesports.com

What a joke. Not pictured above are the white helmets we'll be sporting against the Terps. I can only imagine what these abortions would look like if we were playing a home game and Nike was given more liberal use of orange and maroon.

And the thing is, these are almost pretty good uniforms. If it wasn't for the crap on the shoulders and the gradient on the numbers and stripes, I would be pretty thrilled with these. But Nike had to make little additions here and there so you KNEW the jerseys were made by the boys in Beaverton. The swoosh is enough.

Just like with FSU and Ohio State's one-time only Pro Combat jerseys, these are almost really good uniforms. But the gradient kills it completely, in my opinion. I'm not a big fan of white helmets, either.

I get the feeling VT and Florida State are getting the jerseys Oregon said "no" to.

Update: More images and video from Nike's Pro Combat Web site. The helmet appears to have one thin orange stripe and one wider maroon stripe down the middle. Supposedly the helmets have a gradient as well, but I haven't seen a good photo of them yet. This could have been a lot worse. Look at what's being forced upon TCU this weekend.

It appears that 12 teams will be wearing the Pro Combat unis at some point this year. So far the three that have been announced are VT, FSU and TCU. Texas and Ohio State throwback jerseys utilizing the Pro Combat technology have also been leaked elsewhere on the series of tubes.

Poll

Do you like the uniforms Virginia Tech will wear against Maryland this Saturday?

Six-day Option Taken on NC State Game

furrer4heisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:20:13 -0000

Six-day Option Taken on NC State Game

We won't know the time or network for the NC State game until Sunday.

2009 Virginia Tech Football: Maryland Game Guide

furrer4heisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:30:50 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Browse more photos »

Virginia Tech Hokies (6-3, 3-2) at Maryland Terrapins (2-7, 1-4)

Time: 1 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009
Place: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000), College Park, Md.
TV: None (Broadcast available on ESPN360.com)

Maryland: The Terps are coming off a 38-31 loss at NC State last week ... Maryland QB Chris Turner scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter to put the Terps ahead, 21-17 ... however, Turner was injured on the play and did not return ... after Turner went out, Maryland was outscored 21-10 ... its touchdown came on a kickoff return by Torrey Smith ... backup Jamarr Robinson completed 5 of 11 passes for 27 yards ... he also ran eight times for 46 yards, not including a sack ... running back Da'Rel Sc'ott broke his wrist against Clemson Oct. 3 ... Scott averaged over five yards per carry before the injury ... without Scott, the Terps are 0-4 and have averaged 3.0 ypc and are currently No. 10 in the ACC, averaging 2.9 ypc.

Trends: The Hokies won last week at ECU after losing its previous two games ... Virginia Tech has lost four of its last five ACC road games ... Maryland has lost four consecutive games ... the Terps are 2-3 at home this season, including wins over James Madison and Clemson ... Maryland is 2-6 against the Coastal division in the last three seasons ... Virginia Tech is 4-3 against the Atlantic division in the last three seasons.

History Lesson: The Hokies are 14-15 all-time against the Terps and have won the last four meetings ... the last time Maryland beat Virginia Tech was 20-13 in 1990 in College Park ... Tech is 3-3 all-time in College Park ... the Hokies have won all three meetings since the they joined the ACC in 2004, including on the road in 2005 ... this is the first time Tech's game against Maryland hasn't been on Thursday night since 1993, the last time the teams met before Tech joined the ACC ... last year, Darren Evans ran for a Virginia Tech record 253 yards en route to a 23-13 win.

What to Expect

Don't expect Da'Rel Scott. He's not supposed to play until Nov. 21 at Florida State, but could the team's recent struggles lead to an early return?
Expect Jamarr Robinson at quarterback. Turner is questionable for this weekend's game with an injured MCL, but Terp fans want to see Robinson regardless of whether or not Turner can go.
Expect Robinson to be in scramble mode. The Hokies should be able to stop the Terps' run game, force passing downs and then go after Robinson. However, the elusive Robinson may be able to get yards on the ground.
Expect the Hokies to put some points on the board. Maryland is allowing and ACC-worst 32.3 points per game, including 27.6 in five conference games.
Expect another decent rush defense against Tech. The Terps are allowing 2.6 yards per carry in league games, which is the best in the ACC. This is in large part to linebacker Alex Wujciak, who is one of the best in the conference.
Expect Tyrod to get it done. On the other end of the spectrum, Maryland allows 7.8 yards per pass attempt in league games, No. 10 in the ACC.
Expect a trimmer Fridge. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen weighed over 400 pounds in October 2008. Since then he's lost over 100 pounds, without surgery.

Hokies win if: Tyrod Taylor has a good game passing and the Hokies don't turn the ball over.

Terrapins win if: Jamarr Robinson can make plays with his feet, Torrey Smith can make plays on special teams and the Hokies have another bad road game in conference.

Dot-dot-dots: The Terps will be wearing special camouflage uniforms to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior project ... the Hokies will be wearing "special" Pro Combat uniforms from our Nike overlords ... Frank Beamer and Ralph Friedgen were assistant coaches together at The Citadel from 1973-78 and Friedgen served on Beamer's staff at Murray State in 1981 ... Virginia Tech has eight players from the state of Maryland, including starters Nekos Brown, Rashad Carmichael and Kenny Jefferson.

Maryland Links

Testudo Times
Turtle Waxing
Around the Harbor

So You're Saying There's a Chance

furrer4heisman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:27:35 -0000

So You're Saying There's a Chance

Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times has the various scenarios for the two ACC divisions. Here's how VT goes to Tampa:
- Hokies win out.
- GT loses lone remaining ACC game against Duke.
- Duke also beats Miami and Wake to close out the year.
- Miami also beats UNC.
See, it's that simple.