Hokies open as -4.5 point favorite

#28
#28
Heh... apparently everyone here is too young to remember Clemson and Maryland...
which were much worse teams, playing much more talented Tennessee teams.


That's surprising.
 
#30
#30
MichVT said:
Line looks about right. Statisically, our teams couldn't be much closer. We all know VT has struggled with the SEC, going 2-4 since '98. Don't understand the knock on our schedule though. I know our final three games was as easy as it gets for a BCS team. But after our first 9 games we had the #1 SOS.
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Being in the ACC is an automatic knock to the schedule. Va Tech should be commended for having a good OOC schedule though, with a really good Bama team and a Nebraska team with a great defense (can't say they're good because they have an abysmal offense... and lost to Iowa State). The ACC is just bad though. And the two teams in the ACC championship lost last week to two teams we blew out in Neyland.
 
#31
#31
oUTKickedCoverage said:
Heh... apparently everyone here is too young to remember Clemson and Maryland...
which were much worse teams, playing much more talented Tennessee teams.


That's surprising.
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I think that the "Peach Bowl" was just a disappointment for Tennessee when they went to those specific games, and a good bowl for the ACC team. I remember the Vols being ranked #6 and somehow not getting a BCS bowl and having to play a pumped up Clemson. The results weren't good, obviously.

I think the Vols will be pumped for this game. Hopefully Virginia Tech is, too.
 
#32
#32
GATechVOL said:
I think that the "Peach Bowl" was just a disappointment for Tennessee when they went to those specific games, and a good bowl for the ACC team. I remember the Vols being ranked #6 and somehow not getting a BCS bowl and having to play a pumped up Clemson. The results weren't good, obviously.

I think the Vols will be pumped for this game. Hopefully Virginia Tech is, too.
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I'm sure VT will be... for some reason they consider us a huge rival despite the fact that we share about the same amount of border as we do Missouri.

I've known a few VT fans, and I was honestly shocked how much they just flat out hate us.
 
#33
#33
UT only lost to Bama by 2 at their place. I don't see the Vols doing worse against VT at a neutral site. Some of our injuries will have healed and our guys will have almost a month to prepare (with a better staff IMO). Add to that the fact that we now have a realistic chance to kick FG's and I like our chances.
 
#34
#34
oUTKickedCoverage said:
I'm sure VT will be... for some reason they consider us a huge rival despite the fact that we share about the same amount of border as we do Missouri.

I've known a few VT fans, and I was honestly shocked how much they just flat out hate us.
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Envy often leads to hatred. I'd be jealous of Tennessee if I was a Va Tech fan too.
 
#35
#35
My only concern is the defense, which was exploited in a few games and still won't be 100%. We definitely have a weakness with spreads and screens... will be interesting to see if CLK keeps his word about not another screen pass being completed for significant yardage.
 
#36
#36
volmanbill said:
Doesn't seem out of line based on our late season showing....but....I think the line will edge closer as the Vols get healthy and prepped for the game.

Some good stats here.
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the line will go up or down depending on the way people are betting,up or down has little to do with anything but money,,bookmakers look to make money bottom line.The game is just a side show.but yes the 4.5 too start does surprise me. GO VOLS!!!!
 
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#37
#37
Our strength of schedule is ranked 11th according to sagarin. The coastal division of the ACC is a very solid division. 3 teams might go for 10 wins. UNC could very well go 9-4. And Duke went 5-7 under Coach Cutcliffe. No SEC West but no slouch either. Add in Bama, Nebraska, CUSA Champ ECU and we're looking OK.
 
#38
#38
TNvol86 said:
1. We do have a talent edge over VT. It isn't as big of an edge as it was a few years ago, but still an edge despite the injuries. That said, Ryan Williams is very good and could probably play at a lot of SEC schools.

2. Our bowls appearances have been bad lately, yes. But theirs have been worse.

3. They should be commended for playing Bama. I've long said that Va Tech needed to play better OOC games due to the fact they play in an easy conference, and they're finally starting to do that it appears. Nebraska was also a good add for their schedule, but if you watched the game (I did, as I was actually near Va Tech that weekend and the bar I was watching Tennessee/Florida at also had the Nebraska game on at the same time), it was a very unimpressive, last second win against a mediocre team. I don't know the stats, but Nebraska dominated in total yardage. That Nebraska team lost to Iowa State the next weekend, at home.

4. I'm not too worried about Tyrod Taylor, but their running back is legit good. He is far and away their biggest threat, but as long as we stop him we should be good.

As long as Tennessee doesn't turn the ball over, and doesn't give up special teams plays, Tennessee wins. Special teams is the only place where Va Tech has a clear advantage over us. We don't yet know how good Lane Kiffin's bowl prep is, but I can't imagine it is worse than Fulmer's. Especially with Monte Kiffin having a month to prepare.
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You may be right. I certainly hope so.
 
#39
#39
Virginia Tech's special teams worry me. I expect we'll have a business like approach to this game. I really think this is one of the better matchups of bowl season this year, should be a entertaining game.
 
#41
#41
HokieHi09 said:
Our strength of schedule is ranked 11th according to sagarin. The coastal division of the ACC is a very solid division. 3 teams might go for 10 wins. UNC could very well go 9-4. And Duke went 5-7 under Coach Cutcliffe. No SEC West but no slouch either. Add in Bama, Nebraska, CUSA Champ ECU and we're looking OK.
Click to expand...

Attempting to quantify the strength of schedule is a joke. There is no accurate way of doing it.

This rating says Va Tech's strength of schedule is ranked 32nd, which seems more accurate, but in reality there isn't a real numeric ranking for strength of schedule, so it is best to just say stuff like "easy schedule," or "hard schedule." Va Tech had an "easy schedule," but not a "really easy" schedule thanks to Alabama, and to a lesser extent Nebraska and Miami.

College Football Power Ratings - College FB Strength of Schedule Power Rating on TeamRankings.com

It's all about the formula they use. Just like in computer rankings.
 
#42
#42
HokieHi09 said:
Our strength of schedule is ranked 11th according to sagarin. The coastal division of the ACC is a very solid division. 3 teams might go for 10 wins. UNC could very well go 9-4. And Duke went 5-7 under Coach Cutcliffe. No SEC West but no slouch either. Add in Bama, Nebraska, CUSA Champ ECU and we're looking OK.
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Problem with that...

ACC Coastal Nonconference Games

Georgia Tech
#117 Jacksonville State = 37-17 win
#45 @ Miss State = 42-31 win
#103 @ Vanderbilt = 56-31 win
#28 Georgia = 30-24 loss

Miami
#23 Oklahoma = 21-20 win
#167 Florida A&M = 48-16 win
#61 @ UCF = 27-7 win
#51 @ USF = 31-10 win

North Carolina
#164 Citadel = 40-6 win
#41 @ UConn = 12-10 win
#50 ECU = 31-17 win
#149 Georgia Southern = 42-12 win

Duke
#62 Richmond = 24-16 loss
#133 @ Army = 35-19 win
#65 @ Kansas = 44-16 loss
#234 NC Central = 49-14 win

Virginia
#49 William & Mary = 26-14 loss
#4 TCU = 30-14 loss
#67 @ USM = 37-34 loss
#101 Indiana = 47-7 win(wtf Indiana?)
 
#43
#43
Virginia
#49 William & Mary = 26-14 loss
#4 TCU = 30-14 loss
#67 @ USM = 37-34 loss
#101 Indiana = 47-7 win(wtf Indiana?)

what about thier loss to william & mary. Now thats pathetic
 
#44
#44
oUTKickedCoverage said:
Problem with that...

ACC Coastal Nonconference Games

Georgia Tech
#117 Jacksonville State = 37-17 win
#45 @ Miss State = 42-31 win
#103 @ Vanderbilt = 56-31 win
#28 Georgia = 30-24 loss

Miami
#23 Oklahoma = 21-20 win
#167 Florida A&M = 48-16 win
#61 @ UCF = 27-7 win
#51 @ USF = 31-10 win

North Carolina
#164 Citadel = 40-6 win
#41 @ UConn = 12-10 win
#50 ECU = 31-17 win
#149 Georgia Southern = 42-12 win

Duke
#62 Richmond = 24-16 loss
#133 @ Army = 35-19 win
#65 @ Kansas = 44-16 loss
#234 NC Central = 49-14 win

Virginia
#49 William & Mary = 26-14 loss
#4 TCU = 30-14 loss
#67 @ USM = 37-34 loss
#101 Indiana = 47-7 win(wtf Indiana?)
Click to expand...

Best out of conference win was over a mediocre Oklahoma. And what kind of ranking has W&M over East Carolina?? As I already stated, it is silly to try to quantify strength of schedule.
 
#47
#47
oUTKickedCoverage said:
Problem with that...

ACC Coastal Nonconference Games

Georgia Tech
#117 Jacksonville State = 37-17 win
#45 @ Miss State = 42-31 win
#103 @ Vanderbilt = 56-31 win
#28 Georgia = 30-24 loss

Miami
#23 Oklahoma = 21-20 win
#167 Florida A&M = 48-16 win
#61 @ UCF = 27-7 win
#51 @ USF = 31-10 win

North Carolina
#164 Citadel = 40-6 win
#41 @ UConn = 12-10 win
#50 ECU = 31-17 win
#149 Georgia Southern = 42-12 win

Duke
#62 Richmond = 24-16 loss
#133 @ Army = 35-19 win
#65 @ Kansas = 44-16 loss
#234 NC Central = 49-14 win

Virginia
#49 William & Mary = 26-14 loss
#4 TCU = 30-14 loss
#67 @ USM = 37-34 loss
#101 Indiana = 47-7 win(wtf Indiana?)
Click to expand...

No. No problems, we are 11th in SOS per sagarin.

7 Virginia Tech A = 87.21 9 3 76.23( 11) 0 2 | 2 3 | 84.08 10 | 90.98 4

Go look and check back with me
 
#48
#48
Just don't wear the orange pants and we will get the W. The rest of this pre-game analysis is irrelevant.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#50
#50
HokieHi09 said:
No. No problems, we are 11th in SOS per sagarin.

7 Virginia Tech A = 87.21 9 3 76.23( 11) 0 2 | 2 3 | 84.08 10 | 90.98 4

Go look and check back with me
Click to expand...

Certainly you do not honestly believe that Va Tech had the 11th toughest SOS?? SOS is not a truly quantifiable number, and it all depends on the formula they used. I showed you earlier another computer has your SOS at 32, which seems more accurate...

Here is your schedule, again...

S5 Alabama 34, VT 24
S12 VT 52, Marshall 10
S19 VT 16, Nebraska 15
S26 VT 31, Miami 7
O3 VT 34, Duke 26
O10 VT 48, BC 14
O17 GT 28, VT 23
O29(Th) UNC 20, VT 17
N5(Th) VT 16, ECU 3
N14 VT 36, MD 9
N21 VT 38, NC State 10
N28 VT 42, UVa 13
D31 Chick-fil-A Bowl
 
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