The Cavaliers have the proverbial good-news, bad-news scenario in November. The good news? Three of their final four games will be at home. The bad news? One will likely be against a highly-ranked Hokie squad and the lone road contest is at Miami. If the ‘Hoos take care of business in the first nine weeks, they will control their own destiny for a shot at the ACC Championship game in Jacksonville.
Here are 10 things you should know about each opponent, including what’s to like, what’s not to like, some stellar stats and dubious distinctions, and the take of their play-by-play announcers.
Temple
November 5
At Scott Stadium
The Basics
2004 Record: 2-9
Bowl Game: None
Returning Starters – Offense (5)
Returning Starters – Defense (7)
Returning Starters – Special Teams (2)
What’s to like? Not much. Temple is just plain bad. The Owls haven’t had a winning season in 14 years. In fact, they haven’t won more than four games since Virginia was last ranked #1 in the nation. Everyone has some of these “Little Debbie” games on the slate but Temple masquerades as a Division 1-A program. The Owls have a solid running game and a quarterback with game experience. They also have defensive end Mike Mendenhall, who would be an all-conference shoe-in if the Owls had a conference to play in.
What’s not to like? The special teams struggled last season from place-kicking to coverage. There are no game-breakers on offense and very little depth on either side of the ball. The Owls allowed 36.3 points per game last season and must replace their top two playmakers in linebackers Troy Bennett and Rian Wallace. It appears from Temple’s season-opening losses to Arizona State (63-16) and Wisconsin (65-0) that the defense is still a problem.
Stellar Stat: The Owls have won just 11 games over the last four seasons, but five of those wins have come on the road.
Dubious Distinction: Temple is just 4-12 in its last 16 November games.
Interesting fact: Since 1991, Temple has given up an average of 37 points in games following bye weeks.
Making their case?: Temple will play the 2005 season as an independent. The Owls are trying to make the case that they would be a perfect fit for the MAC and have loaded their schedule over the last two seasons with MAC opponents. The only problem is last year the Owls lost 45-17 to Toledo and 70-16 to Bowling Green. Not a very favorable impression.
Fearless Prediction: Temple will not surpass its two-win total from last season.
Make or break game: Maryland – it’s the only game they have a chance at an upset.
Early take against the ‘Hoos: The Cavs have a bye week prior to playing the Owls. It appears they will have two bye weeks prior to playing Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech
November 12
At Scott Stadium
The Basics
2004 Record: 7-5
Bowl Game: 51-14 win over Syracuse in the Citrus Bowl
Returning Starters – Offense (5)
Returning Starters – Defense (8)
Returning Starters – Special Teams (2)
What’s to like? Georgia Tech has one of the top secondaries in the nation as well as one of the top defenses. Phil Steele ranks the Jacket defensive backs 6th in the nation, Lindy’s has them at 7th and the Sporting News places them 9th. When P.J. Daniels is healthy, he is one of the best backs in the conference. He posted 1,447 yards and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2003, then ran for 714 yards in an injury-riddled 2004 season.
What’s not? Can quarterback Reggie Ball be consistent for an entire season? Last year Ball was spectacular against Clemson, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Two games later against Miami, he had a miserable game with just 68 yards passing and three interceptions. To make matters worse, Ball will operate behind a patchwork offensive line that returns just two starters.
Stellar Stat: Georgia Tech has outscored its last two bowl game opponents (Tulsa & Syracuse) by a combined score of 103-24.
Dubious Distinction: The Jackets play Virginia in their 10th game of the season. Tech is 1-7 the last four years in the last two games of the year. With the exception of last year’s game against Georgia, the Jackets have lost those seven games by at least 11 points.
Interesting facts: Under Chan Gailey, the Georgia Tech defense has never allowed more than 3.6 yards per carry in a season. In 2003 the Jackets allowed 2.9 YPC and last season they allowed 3.1 YPC. Ball has never had a season where he has thrown more touchdowns than interceptions. In the first eight games of 2004, Tech was 4-0 in games where Daniels started and finished the game; it was 0-4 in games that he did not start or finish.
Play-by-play take: “The key to a successful season for Georgia Tech is health,” says the voice of the Yellow Jackets, Wes Durham. “The Jackets can ill afford an injury of any kind of major proportion, particularly in the offensive line or on the defensive front. Then there’s Calvin Johnson. You’re talking about one of the superior players in the country at his position and he’s improved from a year ago. The real unknown, game-in and game-out, is which Reggie Ball will be there. If it’s the one that started the first quarter against Auburn, that could be very good for Georgia Tech.”
Fearless Prediction: Georgia Tech will again hover around the .500 mark in 2005. Not too fearless, considering the Jackets have gone 7-6, 7-6 and 7-5 over the last three seasons.
Make or break game: This is a toss-up between N.C. State and Clemson, but we’ll take the Clemson game. Both are at home and Tech has owned the Wolfpack, going 4-0 under Gailey. But the Jackets have struggled against the Tigers with a 1-3 mark over the last four years. We’ll give them the State game and call the battle with Clemson the difference maker between a 6-5 or 7-4 campaign.
Early take against the ‘Hoos: Georgia Tech has lost thee of the last four to the Cavaliers and has not won in Charlottesville since that dreadful November day in 1990. Superstar Calvin Johnson will challenge Virginia’s young secondary and the front seven will need to pressure Ball. The Cavaliers jumped out to a 17-3 lead last season and if they can again force Tech to play from behind, it will allow the defense to play even more aggressively and put Ball in a position to make mistakes. The Jackets lost the turnover battle in all four ACC losses last season.
Virginia Tech
November 19
At Scott Stadium
The Basics
2004 Record: 10-3
Bowl Game: 16-13 loss to Auburn in the Sugar Bowl
Returning Starters – Offense (8)
Returning Starters – Defense (6)
Returning Starters – Special Teams (1)
What’s to like? The defensive front seven could be better than the 2004 edition, which allowed just 12.8 points per game and 3.2 yards per carry. Virginia Tech’s young receivers (Josh Hyman , Eddie Royal & Josh Morgan ) were impressive with Bryan Randall under center, averaging 18.2, 16.8 and 23.1 yards per catch, respectively. The receivers are complemented by an excellent running game.
What’s not to like? While the receivers and backs look good, the biggest question for Tech is whether the offensive line can protect Marcus Vick and open holes for Cedric Humes and Mike Imoh . Vick is an unknown as well. The Tech secondary is young and has one returning starter for 2005, but when that lone starter is All-American candidate Jimmy Williams , that’s a rock-solid foundation to build around.
Stellar Stat: Virginia Tech has posted a 113-36 record over the past 12-plus seasons and has appeared in 12 consecutive bowl games.
Dubious Distinction: With wins over West Virginia and Miami in 2004, the Hokies improved to 5-36 against top-10 teams. However, neither the ‘Canes nor Mountaineers finished the regular season in the top 10.
Interesting fact: The Hokies are just 5-5 over the last four seasons in end-of-year road games.
Play-by-play take: “The team has as much talent as any of Coach Beamer’s teams from players 1 through 85,” says award-winning Hokie broadcaster Bill Roth. “It’s the best collection of receivers I’ve seen in Blacksburg. I like the fact that this team has four senior offensive linemen, plus a remarkable tight end in Jeff King , who is also a senior. Veterans up front are really important for making a championship run, especially for teams like Tech which like to use a power-running game. Having four-year and five-year guys up front can make a big difference, especially in close games. The backs are good and the quarterback has a chance to be sensational. On defense, they’re fast. Tapp, Burchette and Ellis can really play, and Adibi and Hall have a chance to be all-stars. Lewis is a stud at tackle. Williams is a top-10 NFL pick, a true ‘shutdown corner’ that has developed into a real leader as well. Rouse is a missile at rover. The kicker was first-team all-ACC last year, too. The pieces are there to win a lot of football games if the team stays healthy and keeps its ‘Team United’ mantra throughout the tough times which always occur.”
Fearless Prediction: Since 1998, Virginia Tech is 9-0 on Thursday nights. That streak will end on Thursday, October 22, in College Park. I know the Terps stink, but I made the prediction before Maryland’s first two games and I will be honorable and stick with it.
Make or break game: Miami – With the ‘Canes’ opening day loss to Florida State, their game in Blacksburg takes on a new significance. Miami cannot afford another stumble in the competitive Coastal Division or any chance for an ACC title is lost. If the Hokies get past Miami, they may be too much for the ‘Hoos to handle on their way to another ACC Championship.
Early take against the ‘Hoos: This could be for the Coastal Division title if the Cavaliers get the job done in the preceding weeks. To win, Virginia must slow the Tech running game. In losses to N.C. State and Auburn last season, Virginia Tech did not rush for over 100 yards. Marcus Vick is certainly a talent but has yet to prove he can win a game for the Hokies with his arm. The Tech receivers proved to be too much for Virginia’s secondary last season and this year the Cavalier defensive backfield is younger. A key will be the Miami game. If the Hokies lose, they will come into Charlottesville desperate, and Tech has risen to the occasion when it plays desperately. If the Hokies beat Miami, hopefully a good dose of overconfidence will set in, making them ripe for plucking.
Miami
November 26
At the Orange Bowl
The Basics
2004 Record: 9-3
Bowl Game: 27-10 Peach Bowl win over Florida
Returning Starters – Offense (5)
Returning Starters – Defense (9)
Returning Starters – Special Teams (2)
What’s to like? Plenty. Virtually every preseason publication rates the Miami defense highly, especially the secondary. Athlon ranks the Miami defensive backs first in the nation, Lindy’s has them at #2 and Phil Steele and Sporting News place them third. All four defensive linemen return with starting experience and the offensive line is rock solid. The receivers are more dangerous than their 2004 statistics would indicate and if kicker Jon Peattie returns to 2003 form, the Miami special teams could be the best in the conference. (Though they looked awful in their opener against FSU.)
What’s not to like? Miami is not in position to ask redshirt freshman quarterback Kyle Wright to win games with his arm. To make matters worse for Wright, he doesn’t appear to have the benefit of a strong rushing attack even with an impressive offensive line. Tyrone Moss lacks game-breaking speed and most teams will try and make Miami one-dimensional and force Wright to beat them with the pass.
Stellar Stat: Miami led the conference last year with 10 touchdowns produced by its special teams or defense. Since 1999, the Hurricanes have scored more touchdowns on returns (54) than any other team in the nation. Two other ACC schools are in the top five: Virginia Tech is second (45) and N.C. State is fifth (34).
Dubious Distinction: In 2004, the Hurricanes lost as many regular-season games in their first season in the ACC (3) as they did the previous four seasons combined in the Big East.
Rumor Mill: If having problems getting along with Florida and Florida State weren’t enough, the ‘Canes appear to have problems getting along with each other. Offensive guard Derrick Morse will miss 6-8 weeks
Morse said he had just pancaked a linebacker during practice when he was knocked down from behind by defensive end Thomas Carroll. Morse fractured his shoulder in the fall. He also says a fight ensued after he “went after” Carroll that pitted the Miami offense vs. the defense. Can you feel the love?
Interesting facts: Since 1999, Miami ranks third in Division I-A with 229 sacks. In the last 22 seasons, the Hurricanes are 175-16 when scoring first.
Fearless Prediction: Miami will loss three games for the second year in a row. That last happened in 1998-1999.
Make or break game: Virginia Tech – With its loss to FSU to open the season, Miami probably must defeat the Hokies to have any hope of securing the Coastal Division title. If not, the Virginia game may be meaningless in the divisional battle.
Early take against the ‘Hoos: Virginia must play Miami in Coral Gables, where the Hurricanes are 11-2 in their last 13 regular-season finales. Depending on what happens the previous week against Virginia Tech, this could be for a shot at the ACC title game. The ‘Hoos were two special teams plays away from taking Miami down in 2004 and have a good shot in 2005. The biggest challenge will be Miami’s fleet of fast, athletic receivers against Virginia’s young but by this time battle-tested secondary.
