Single Game Football Tickets On Sale (Virginia Tech vs. Virginia)

Quick blog post here:

Hokies, single game tickets for the football game at UVA go on sale at 9 AM on September 12, 2011. The link for the ticket sales is right here. Hoos charging $70 a ticket for this game (almost twice as much for this game as their non-conference games... clearly the most expensive single game ticket at UVA this year for any sport)... and we'll buy them anyway.

BUY THEM ALL UP.

My Take on What it will take for the Virginia Tech Hokies Men's Hoops Team to Dance in the NCAA Tournament!!

Good afternoon. Tech Hoops has a great recap of the Virginia Tech - Boston College Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) men's hoops game, so I will not talk more about that... Tech Hoops unlocks the mystery to Virginia Tech men's hoops victories. In short, it's who shoots the three ball better.

On to the next men's hoops game vs. Clemson on Saturday, March 5, 2011. This may well be an NCAA tournament play-in game.

As Tech Hoops' Niemo says, Virginia Tech is still in control of its own destiny... beat Clemson on Saturday and the Hokies will have the fourth seed in the ACC men's hoops tournament. That's big for a team that has only eight scholarship players because the lack of depth could cause some problems in the ACC tournament. Lose and the Hokies fall to the sixth seed... there's a big difference in playing a potential of four nights and three nights.

Let's move onto where I stand on Virginia Tech's NCAA men's hoops tournament prospects... I'll give you several scenarios:

1.) Scenario One - Virginia Tech defeats Clemson on Saturday and finishes 10-6 in the ACC. I still firmly believe that Virginia Tech needs to win one more game in the ACC tournament (which would be the quarterfinals) in order to feel good about its chances for an invite to the NCAA tournament. The Hokies also cannot get blown out of the water in the ACC tournament semifinals.

2.) Scenario Two - Virginia Tech loses to Clemson on Saturday and finishes 9-7 in the ACC. In this case, I believe the Hokies must win two games (the opening round game and the quarterfinal). As in scenario one, the Hokies also cannot get blown out of the water in the ACC tournament semifinals.

3.) Scenario Three - Virginia Tech loses to Clemson on Saturday and finishes 9-7 in the ACC. Then, the Hokies win only the opening round game in the ACC tourney, but lose the quarter final (or lose the opening round game and do not make the quarterfinals at all). There will be no invite to the NCAA tournament.

4.) Scenario Four - Virginia Tech loses to Clemson on Saturday and finishes 9-7 in the ACC. Then, the Hokies win three ACC tournament games enroute to the finals. Virginia Tech gets an invite to the NCAA tournament.

5.) Scenario Five - If Virginia Tech wins the ACC tournament, the Hokies will be in the NCAA tournament.

Virginia Tech was a 10-6 ACC team last year, yet did not make the NCAA tournament. However, the Hokies did not have a win over #1 Duke. This year, we do. The short of it is that I think we need two more wins and it would be preferable to get achieve this goal beginning Saturday, March 5, 2011 vs. Clemson. We want that ACC tournament bye.

GO HOKIES!!!!

Thoughts on the Boise State and James Madison University Games

I've had a chance to think about the Virginia Tech football games over the last week. One week ago, today, we were ranked #6 in the Coaches Poll and #10 in the Associated Press Poll. Since that time, we've had two devastating losses, but I have no doubt that this team can come back. That said, here are my thoughts:

1.) Tyrod Taylor is a one man show... he is the man that has come to play this year. He is awesome. There is a reason that he is playing... which alludes to #2...

2.) We need major improvement in the offensive line play (I do think that the coaches will look at the tape and make adjustments in the schemes). Stinespring is right that we need more depth on the offensive line (missing out on a few recruits has hurt the offensive line play). My understanding is that Ryan Williams said in today's press conference that the holes just aren't their for him to run through.

3.) Our offensive play calling needs to improve, but I won't talk more about that. People are already doing that enough and they don't need to hear from me (those guys run a great blog).

4.) Our tackling also needs to improve. We need our players to go back to defensive fundamentals (get back to the basics). We clearly miss Cody Grimm and others. I trust in Bud here. This will get fixed.

5.) I actually miss Brandon Pace... I have major concerns about the kicking game... but, again, I think this can get fixed.

6.) We cemented ourselves in history with Michigan... the only ranked teams to lose to NCAA Division 1-AA opponents. We will be on ESPN, ESPNU, and ESPN Classic for the rest of our lives. We just have to look at this as an experience that we can learn from and move on. There are many Hokies fans that, quite frankly, don't have an understanding of what it is like to lose a tough game (or games). The Hokies have not lost to an NCAA Division 1-AA football team since 1985. My of my followers on Twitter (I'm @HokieGuru there) either were not born when this last happened or were very young. Let me tell you, folks, I'm old enough to remember the loss to William and Mary (that should tell you something about my age, although I was really young then). So, in some sense, there may be a generational issue when it comes to Virginia Tech football... but this leads me to #7 (something every generation can agree on)...

7.) I'm with my team in good and bad times. I'm a Virgina Tech Alumni and fan. Even after these losses, I wear my Virginia Tech gear the next day (and every day... 90% of my wardrobe is Virginia Tech related). I love my school. And I still have hope for the rest of the season. I'm all in with these guys.

I am hearing that there are some angry fans out there who are looking to boycott the team. I beg you not to do this. I also beg you not to stop your donations to the Hokie Club (which I've heard that some are doing). The Hokie Club is Virginia Tech's athletic fund raising operation. Less a few administrative expenses, the operation funds athletic scholarships, pays for facilities, the coaches salaries, and travel costs. No state funding goes towards athletics at Virginia Tech. So your funds go to all sports at Virginia Tech and we don't want to hurt other athletes (or any athletes). For many, the scholarship is their only opportunity to go to school.

Now is when this team needs us. So, UT Prosim!! GO HOKIES!!!