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 The Tennessee Volunteers take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on New Year's Eve in the Chik-fil-A Bowl.
The Hokies opened up as 4.5 point favorites. The line has held steady & the game features a 49-point over/under.
As we normally do, and are quite sure our competition will begin to emulate, we have sought out the opinion from the opposing team's fans. The guys from The North Endzone (Bloguin team mates) came through & drove it out of the park.
Will the UT faithful let the fans of the Hokies get in the last bit of smack? NEZ brought it, that is for sure.
We conducted an e-mail interview with The North Endzone crew earlier today and here is the interview:
SECR: Virginia Tech lost to Alabama in week one ... what did Hokies fans take away from that game? How did it change the rest of your season? Did you see spots in that game where you just sat there and went "we could have won that one"?
NEZ: Two wonderful things came out of this game: 1) Hokie fans stopped talking about a possible national title run (for a few weeks, anyways), and 2) we realized that Ryan Williams was going to be a beast of a runner this year.
Looking back, there doesn’t seem to be much we could have done differently. Our defense didn’t play well, but clearly, Alabama is pretty freaking good.
SECR: Everyone in the country knows Frank Beamer. Do the fans view Beamer in the same light now as they did ten years ago?
NEZ: Most Tech fans view Beamer as a figurehead nowadays. We wouldn’t trade him for any other coach out there, but it’s fairly obvious that he’s plateau-ed. He’s good for 10 wins a year, which is all you can ask from a football team. But he’s not willing to take the risks necessary to reach the next level (i.e. find someone to get your offense ranked in the top 50 for once this decade).
Most of the fans focus their attention on the assistants. Bud Foster, the Defensive Coordinator, will have a statue in Blacksburg one day. Our Offensive Coordinator has been given the nickname “Voldemort”. Take a guess as to which one we’re worried about losing.
SECR: Virginia Tech enters the Chik-Fil-A Bowl vs UT as a 4.5 point favorite ... being the 11th ranked team in the country, did Hokies fans take the slight edge as a slap in the face or did the fans look at the spread and say "yeah, Tennessee is really that tough"?
NEZ: We think it’s a pretty fair spread. I mean, we’ve already lost two games in Atlanta this year (eff you, Ted Turner). A late season loss to UNC doesn’t help, either.
That said, bet the Hokies, bet them big, and send me 5% of your winnings*.
*not responsible for money lost.
SECR: Offensively, Tennessee has ran he ball well this season with Montario Hardesty ... at the same time, quarterback Jonathan Crompton has had highs and lows like a Bill Clinton Stock Market ... what will Virginia Tech's defense need to do to win this game?
NEZ: If we can tackle, we’ll win. The loss to Georgia Tech came almost solely from missed tackles. On top of that, a good mix of blitz packages will keep Crompton running like a coed being chased by Bruce Pearl.
Look for Cody Grimm to have double digit sacks, kill three people, and impregnate Layla Kiffin by the time the game is over.
SECR: Conversely, UT's defense has shown that it can be exploited by the Wildcat Package ... do you think we will see a health dose of the Wildcat from Va Tech in this game?
NEZ: You’re asking if Virginia Tech will employ a creative offensive scheme into the play calling?? As much as we’d like to say it will happen, the answer is simply “no”. Greg Boone used to run the Wild Turkey (Yeah, we have a personalized Wildcat name, too. Very creative.), but apparently he got way too into LOST because he hasn’t been seen in the offense this year.
SECR: Outside of the Wildcat Package, what are the top three things that the Virginia Tech offense does the best?
NEZ:
1. Running Back Ryan Williams (or RMFW, as he is affectionately known) is unreal. He’s pretty much our entire offense, and we don’t think he can be stopped. Luckily, he doesn’t think so either.
2. Our receivers are the tits. Though not utilizing top notch receivers to the best of their ability has been something of a tradition in Blacksburg (see Royal, Eddie).
3. ummm… ummm… they have sweet gloves?
SECR: Many Tennessee fans believe that this game is not only winnable, but is a 'lock' for their team. What would be your reaction to that?
NEZ: I’m not even sure how to respond to that. How is any game a lock for the Vols? They lost to UCLA for Christ's sake. The only reason they’re in this game is because the SEC got two teams into the BCS, and they still had to beat Kentucky in double OT to get here.
They can think what they want about the game being winnable, but a lock? Tennessee hasn’t been a lock for anything but disappointment since 1998. But if anyone wants to put up their signed Tee Martin jersey as a bet, I’m in.
SECR: What is the excitement level for the Virginia Tech fans for this bowl game? Is the Bowl being viewed as an opportunity or is it being viewed as a non-win situation for the Hokies? (Many people think that UT has nothing to 'lose' since they are coming in 7-5 and unranked).
NEZ: Winning the Peach Bowl (eff you Chick-Fil-A and your delicious, delicious menu and plethora of dipping sauces) is viewed as a huge opportunity for the Hokies no matter who the opponent might be. After the devastating loss to Georgia a few years back, we’re viewing this as a redemption game.
But facing off against Tennessee is even sweeter. A few years back, rumors of a Tenn/VT matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway. It eventually fell through, and as fans, we assumed it was because the Vols pussed out and didn’t want to play us. Well now it’s time to avenge this imagined slight!! Bring it on, you creamsicle bastards!!
SECR: What is your score prediction for the game?
NEZ: Virginia Tech wins, 27 – 14. See prior comments about Cody Grimm eating people and makin’ babies.
There you have it, the unadulterated view straight from Virginia Tech fans. One thing is for sure, if you want next level Hokies information and banter, you have got to make The North Endzone your destination. NEZ covers a wide variety of sports even stepping outside of the Virginia Tech realm. Sure, it might be to make fun of your team, but the content is next level.
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As someone with no allegiance to either team, I think Tennessee takes it.
They played well against a tougher schedule, have more excitement to be here, and I really don't think you can discount Lane Kiffin learning bowl preparation from the master.
Interesting take from NEndzone that Beamer is just a "figure head," I don't think most of the rest of America see's that, but that's why it's great to get an insider's opinion.
Thanks for sharing guys
AT