So, one month out, where are we with Va Tech?

[18IsTheMan]

I'm assuming most are in the usual position of "this is a team we should beat but one that could easily beat us if we aren't ready". This seems to be about where we live with games of this nature.

Talking with a friend of mine who is a Clemson fan, he thinks this game ought to be a relatively easy win for us IF we are any good this year. As an ACC loyalist, he has little faith in their off-season upgrades.

 

[Piscis]

VT is maybe one step above Miss State or even Vandy. If we don't win easily, all the preseason happy talk and chest beating will be shown to be foolish. A loss and 7 wins is probably our ceiling.

 

[18IsTheMan]

VT is maybe one step above Miss State or even Vandy. If we don't win easily, all the preseason happy talk and chest beating will be shown to be foolish. A loss and 7 wins is probably our ceiling.

I assume we'll have to go through the requisite buildup of VaTech, though? "No, seriously, they're legit." Just to preemptively excuse ourselves if they win.

 

[HuntinAces]

1st game with all the experience we replaced, while playing on a neutral field? I expect a closer than we would like game.
However, this is a game that we have the ability to shape the perception our program with.
Can we take care of business like we should? Favored by 8.5.
Id rather this just be our first game at Mercedes-Benz stadium this year

 

[Piscis]

1st game with all the experience we replaced, while playing on a neutral field? I expect a closer than we would like game.
However, this is a game that we have the ability to shape the perception our program with.
Can we take care of business like we should? Favored by 8.5.
Id rather this just be our first game at Mercedes-Benz stadium this year

8.5 points is not a spread between two relatively evenly matched teams.

 

[18IsTheMan]

8.5 points is not a spread between two relatively evenly matched teams.

Beamer has a chance to do something that I'm not sure I can every recall seeing around here...or very rarely at least: field a team that is prepared and focused in Game 1.

 

[JohnnySolo]

I assume we'll have to go through the requisite buildup of VaTech, though? "No, seriously, they're legit." Just to preemptively excuse ourselves if they win.

Va Tech is no joke. They grabbed a few good recruits and portal players from Dr Pepper. We also historically play like dog crap in our first game. That said I will be happy to win by 1.
There hope that helps.

 

[gamecock stock]

I acknowledge that our season openers have many times not been awe inspiring in the past. That's either because we have opened against an obvious inferior program (Old Dominion) or a vastly superior program (Georgia). Virginia Tech is neither. If we don't win this game AND look good doing it, I would tamper down expectations for this season.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I acknowledge that our season openers have many times not been awe inspiring in the past. That's either because we have opened against an obvious inferior program (Old Dominion) or a vastly superior program (Georgia). Virginia Tech is neither. If we don't win this game AND look good doing it, I would tamper down expectations for this season.

"And look good doing it" is the key qualifier for me. Even when we win, we haven't often looked good in openers. I know it's a problem that plagues a lot of teams, but it feels worse with us (though it's probably not). Nevertheless, you have all offseason to prepare for that first game, and you know the first plays are often scripted, but we just look out of sorts off the bat so many times. Not a Beamer problem. Happened under Muschamp. Happened under Spurrier. Wasn't there a season opener under Spurrier when we had to call timeout on the first play of the game/season?

 

[Piscis]

Va Tech is no joke. They grabbed a few good recruits and portal players from Dr Pepper. We also historically play like dog crap in our first game. That said I will be happy to win by 1.
There hope that helps.

Yes, VT is a joke. We are ranked #13 in the coaches poll, they were not even in the "others receiving votes" category. To put that in perspective, Vandy received 3 votes.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

If we have to depend on Sellers being innovative due to poor Oline play it could be a rough day for us.
However, if they can't stop Sellers being innovative it could be a long day for VT.
Hoping to see consistent play from the OL and the offense in general while moving the ball and scoring with a successful offensive scheme in the first game. Defense has the bodies, but I worry about them playing as a unit and controlling VT's ability to put together drives or break big plays due to inexperienced players being out of position.

 

[18IsTheMan]

If we have to depend on Sellers being innovative due to poor Oline play it could be a rough day for us.
However, if they can't stop Sellers being innovative it could be a long day for VT.
Hoping to see consistent play from the OL and the offense in general while moving the ball and scoring with a successful offensive scheme in the first game. Defense has the bodies, but I worry about them playing as a unit and controlling VT's ability to put together drives or break big plays due to inexperienced players being out of position.

I assumed Teasley is coaching for his job this year, but that's what I thought last year.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

I assumed Teasley is coaching for his job this year, but that's what I thought last year.

Hoping Elliot can be a positive influence with the OL

 

[Cobie]

First game of the season on a neutral field against a P5 team.

We can have the better team and still lose this game (e.g. new roles, cobwebs, etc.)

We aren't warming up with SC State.

 

[KingWard]

If we don't beat this ragtag bunch like rented mules, we're in for a dismal season.

 

[Cobie]

Yes, VT is a joke. We are ranked #13 in the coaches poll, they were not even in the "others receiving votes" category. To put that in perspective, Vandy received 3 votes.

And there they go.....

 

[Cobie]

Anyone think we were going to have issues with Illinois in the Cheez-it Bowl?

The guys who were missing in that game are still missing.

 

[muscleknight]

After last years 1st game performance this game scares me.

 

[KingWard]

Anyone think we were going to have issues with Illinois in the Cheez-it Bowl?

The guys who were missing in that game are still missing.

The braintrust lost that game.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

The braintrust lost that game.

temper didn't help

 

[CockofEarle…]

VT is maybe one step above Miss State or even Vandy. If we don't win easily, all the preseason happy talk and chest beating will be shown to be foolish. A loss and 7 wins is probably our ceiling.

“Something smells fishy. He was a Pisces working for scale.”

Let’s not forget the tough opening win over el cid in ‘84. No one would have guessed.

 

[Uscg1984]

As much as I would love to see us come out of the gate looking like the #13 team in the country, my Gamecock viewing history tells me to expect otherwise. I don't necessarily think a closer-than-expected win in the first game would be a bad omen for the rest of the season. But a loss must absolutely be avoided.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

From the Hokies board

A definite tall order. Very tough challenge. I think overall we are​

thanking the football gods that Moore brought some of his best from WVU with him. Hoping and praying Rimac and the lot hold up over the course of the season and some youngsters sack up and improve, push for PT. We're gonna be challenged and tested in Game 1 from USCe DEs Dylan Stewart, Bryan Thomas (combining for 11 sacks in 2024) and portal xfer Demon Clowney. These 3 are DOOODS who I'm sure Monty is and has circled as impact players on the D side. Meaning, if we don't find ways to contain or protect or take them away, they will wreck our offense. Tall order for Moore, Rimac and OL Company.

 

[ScWildthing61]

Don't know about the football team, but as far as my wife, my kid, and me. Tickets have been purchased, flights from Richmond VA to Atlanta and back that weekend are set, the parking pass for the game has been reserved, as has the hotel room for the weekend. Maybe on our free day that Saturday my 6 year old will enjoy the Georgia Aquarium.

Living near Richmond VA knowing and working with several VA Tech fans and alums who know where my alliegances lie, if we lose this game, I WILL NOT hear the end of it! Although they're far more tolerable than those Ivy league wannabes from Charlottesville!

 

[KingWard]

temper didn't help

Sellers wasn't allowed to be Sellers, either.

 

[Snake002]

Va Tech is no joke. They grabbed a few good recruits and portal players from Dr Pepper. We also historically play like dog crap in our first game. That said I will be happy to win by 1.
There hope that helps.

Bingo

 

[Snake002]

ODU was winning last years opener with 6 minutes to go. 1st games are tricky.

 

[Snake002]

Clemson barely beat VT last year

 

[GreenestCock]

Anyone think we were going to have issues with Illinois in the Cheez-it Bowl?

The guys who were missing in that game are still missing.

Illinois was from a seasoned Big 10...Bowl games, with players sitting out.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Va Tech is no joke. They grabbed a few good recruits and portal players from Dr Pepper. We also historically play like dog crap in our first game. That said I will be happy to win by 1.
There hope that helps.

 

[LonesomeRooster]

The braintrust lost that game.

Honestly, I am more than a little worried about Shula as OC.

 

[Piscis]

Honestly, I am more than a little worried about Shula as OC.

Beamer showed that he can be psyched out of a game in the bowl. Other coaches will use his immaturity and emotional sensitivity against him.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Beamer showed that he can be psyched out of a game in the bowl. Other coaches will use his immaturity and emotional sensitivity against him.

I can see Beamer taking the bait early on, but after a while it was painfully obvious that Bielema was going to keep it up with the subs AND that the refs were gong to allow it. Beamer had to swallow his pride and just quit subbing like he was, but he insisted on trying to prove a point and may have ended costing us the game.

 

[kidrobinski]

Typical snark from lowbrow gamecock fans disappointed we didn’t crystal ball a blue chip head coach in here instead of Beamer like we’re Texas, which to me is disgusting and why I quit attending many games; tired of em and they can kiss my ace. I neither gave a crap that we lost that game nor was I embarrassed by Beamer’s reaction to trash. Mr. Obese can kiss my ace too.

 

[KingWard]

Honestly, I am more than a little worried about Shula as OC.

With good cause. This quarterback has to be allowed to be who and what he is. Suppress him with too much structure and watch the season evaporate.

 

[1vagamecock]

If my MANY years of following Gamecock football has taught me anything its don't believe any hype before the season starts.
I'll try to enjoy the season, good or bad, but I won't be surprised if we go 4-8 or 10-2.

 

[kidrobinski]

With good cause. This quarterback has to be allowed to be who and what he is. Suppress him with too much structure and watch the season evaporate.

My one dislike about spurrier. You couldn’t play qb, you had to play ‘spurrier’, with usually unsuccessful outcomes.

 

[18IsTheMan]

My one dislike about spurrier. You couldn’t play qb, you had to play ‘spurrier’, with usually unsuccessful outcomes.

For the expectations coming in, offense was never really a hallmark of Spurrier teams here.

 

[KingWard]

If my MANY years of following Gamecock football has taught me anything its don't believe any hype before the season starts.
I'll try to enjoy the season, good or bad, but I won't be surprised if we go 4-8 or 10-2.

10-2 would shock the pants off of me, I don't mind tellin' ya.

 

[Piscis]

For the expectations coming in, offense was never really a hallmark of Spurrier teams here.

By the time Spurrier got to Columbia, the rest of the SEC and college football had caught up to his offense. When he arrived at UF, he brought an offense no one in the SEC or in much of college football had ever seen. The SEC was a "three yards and a cloud of dust" conference dominated by big, fast running backs and road grader OL play. 10-15 passes in a game was considered borderline "wide open play calling". If a team could score 17 points, they stood a good chance of winning the game. Stout defense really ruled the day.

Spurrier brought in multiple wide receiver sets and forced mismatches where linebackers were having to cover wide receivers or running backs coming out of the backfield. Other teams had no answer for the offense he brought for quite a while. 6' 185lb slow white linebackers stood no chance trying to cover a WR or RB who had a running start. Once the other SEC teams adapted and/or new coaches came in who weren't married to the old school style of football, Spurrier's success started to wane. By the time he got to Carolina, every team in the SEC was running and defending similar offenses as what he had brought in 1990.