bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are about the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... [/ QUOTE ] I still like Virginia Tech's special team a lot more. Although UVA is doing well as you mentioned, VT's special teams is still strong. First, Virginia Tech's punter Brent Bowden is still averaging 42.11 yards a punt. Yes, that is a 3 yard difference but the field position could still go either way, giving no particular edge to Tech or Virginia. Second, Eddie Royal is now the all-time ACC leader in punt return yards. Since Eddie has been returning kicks, Tech has spent more time playing coverage on punt returns and trying to get a block or two to spring Eddie Royal for a touchdown. They see the talent they have in Eddie and they would like to throw a few key blocks rather than just a sell-out punt block and leaving him out to dry. Third, although Chris Gould from UVA is 4/4 from 40-49 yards out, his overall field goal percentage is almost 79%. Jud Dunleavy from Virginia Tech is 6/8 from 40-49 yards with an overall percentage of 85%. All of these stats are similar in a lot of aspects but I would still give the edge to Frank Beamer and his special teams. I take Beamer because of his tradition and overall knowledge of special teams. I say this not because I am a Tech fan but because of history. If Groh had the reputation that Beamer did then I would take UVA's special teams. These stats were not meant to belittle yours in anyway, but I just did it for comparison purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... [/ QUOTE ] Some Special Team stats for you... Punting Weigand (UVA) 45.86 yds/punt Bowden (VT) 42.11 yds/punt Punt Return Yardage Defense VT 7.18 yds/return UVA 8.85 yds/return Punt Returns Royal (VT) 15.82/return Hall (UVA) 10.38/return Using simple math... UVA punting: 45.86 - (15.82+8.85)/2 = 33.52 yds/punt net VT punting: 42.11 - (10.38+7.18)/2 = 33.33 yds/punt net That's a 7 inch difference so punting is a virtual wash except one thing... Weigand (UVA) 2 of 44 punts inside the 20 Bowden (VT) 26 of 72 punts inside the 20 And I'll even give this one to you...we'll throw Gould into the mix for UVA... Gould (UVA) 19 punts, 36.3 yds/punt, 14 of 19 inside the 20. Field Goals/XP Gould (UVA) FG 15-19 .789 Long: 51 yards; XP 29-31 .935 Dunlevy (VT) FG 17-20 .850 Long: 52 yards; XP 35-37 .946 Kick-offs Gould (UVA) 57 KOs, 6 TBs .105 Develli, Dunlevy, Bowden (VT) 66 KOs, 15 TBs .227 Also of note, VT hasn't gone for the blocks as they have in the past due to having Eddie Royal returning punts. They've set up for the return on almost EVERY punt this year. But don't think that they can't block kicks anymore... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... [/ QUOTE ] I still like Virginia Tech's special team a lot more. Although UVA is doing well as you mentioned, VT's special teams is still strong. First, Virginia Tech's punter Brent Bowden is still averaging 42.11 yards a punt. Yes, that is a 3 yard difference but the field position could still go either way, giving no particular edge to Tech or Virginia. Second, Eddie Royal is now the all-time ACC leader in punt return yards. Since Eddie has been returning kicks, Tech has spent more time playing coverage on punt returns and trying to get a block or two to spring Eddie Royal for a touchdown. They see the talent they have in Eddie and they would like to throw a few key blocks rather than just a sell-out punt block and leaving him out to dry. Third, although Chris Gould from UVA is 4/4 from 40-49 yards out, his overall field goal percentage is almost 79%. Jud Dunleavy from Virginia Tech is 6/8 from 40-49 yards with an overall percentage of 85%. All of these stats are similar in a lot of aspects but I would still give the edge to Frank Beamer and his special teams. I take Beamer because of his tradition and overall knowledge of special teams. I say this not because I am a Tech fan but because of history. If Groh had the reputation that Beamer did then I would take UVA's special teams. These stats were not meant to belittle yours in anyway, but I just did it for comparison purposes. [/ QUOTE ] GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Hokie punter, Brett Bowden, has not had the best year punting and Beamer has kinda called off the dogs on the punt block a bit to set up the return. They have broken through on some, but Eddie Royal (15.8 yards per punt return & 21.3 yards per kick return) has another gear out there and his backups, Macho Harris & Josh Morgan, are pretty good too. Between them, they have four returns for touchdowns (including one that was called back.) 45.86 is an excellent average, but has he outkicked his coverage at all this year? I have not seen UVA play much this year. With the way the defenses are playing, both offenses may have trouble moving the ball and that is where I think turnovers and return yardage will be most important. Once again, I have not seen UVA play much this year, but I also not heard of them making plays on returns either. Jud Dunlevy for Virginia Tech is pretty solid in his own right for making kicks. 17-20 with a long of 52. Gould is 15-19 with a long of 51. Both kickers have proven themselves thus far. BTW, anyone know which team in NCAA DIV 1-A has the most interceptions since the year 2000? Give up? Virginia Tech. 18 already this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 You two beat me to it!!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... [/ QUOTE ] Some Special Team stats for you... Punting Weigand (UVA) 45.86 yds/punt Bowden (VT) 42.11 yds/punt Punt Return Yardage Defense VT 7.18 yds/return UVA 8.85 yds/return Punt Returns Royal (VT) 15.82/return Hall (UVA) 10.38/return Using simple math... UVA punting: 45.86 - (15.82+8.85)/2 = 33.52 yds/punt net VT punting: 42.11 - (10.38+7.18)/2 = 33.33 yds/punt net That's a 7 inch difference so punting is a virtual wash except one thing... Weigand (UVA) 2 of 44 punts inside the 20 Bowden (VT) 26 of 72 punts inside the 20 And I'll even give this one to you...we'll throw Gould into the mix for UVA... Gould (UVA) 19 punts, 36.3 yds/punt, 14 of 19 inside the 20. Field Goals/XP Gould (UVA) FG 15-19 .789 Long: 51 yards; XP 29-31 .935 Dunlevy (VT) FG 17-20 .850 Long: 52 yards; XP 35-37 .946 Kick-offs Gould (UVA) 57 KOs, 6 TBs .105 Develli, Dunlevy, Bowden (VT) 66 KOs, 15 TBs .227 Also of note, VT hasn't gone for the blocks as they have in the past due to having Eddie Royal returning punts. They've set up for the return on almost EVERY punt this year. But don't think that they can't block kicks anymore... [/ QUOTE ] GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 And tailgate together too!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] And tailgate together too!! LOL [/ QUOTE ] You know it!! See you at Mitchell on Friday night?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] And tailgate together too!! LOL [/ QUOTE ] You know it!! See you at Mitchell on Friday night?? [/ QUOTE ] Unless I'm dead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Let's hope not! Unless I am dead you will see me there too! BTW, loving the footer quote! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] This is a tough one to pick. Both defenses are playing well, and both offenses have sputtered a bit. Turnovers and special teams will decide this one. UVA 23 VT 20 [/ QUOTE ] No way UVA wins this game with special teams against Beamer! Turnovers maybe, but not special teams. Florida schools are the only ones that can beat Beamer with special teams. [/ QUOTE ] I disagree on just a few small points. Ryan Weigand for Virginia has the 4th-best punting average in the nation at 45.86 yards per punt. This could be huge in a low-scoring game, given field position. Second, I've watched a good deal of Virginia Tech football this year, and I don't think I have seen as many blocked kicks/punts as I have in years past. Third, Chris Gould for Virginia has made every field goal over 40 yards this season, which becomes a big factor when facing a defense as talented as Virginia Tech's. Virginia has a better special teams unit than most realize... [/ QUOTE ] Some Special Team stats for you... Punting Weigand (UVA) 45.86 yds/punt Bowden (VT) 42.11 yds/punt Punt Return Yardage Defense VT 7.18 yds/return UVA 8.85 yds/return Punt Returns Royal (VT) 15.82/return Hall (UVA) 10.38/return Using simple math... UVA punting: 45.86 - (15.82+8.85)/2 = 33.52 yds/punt net VT punting: 42.11 - (10.38+7.18)/2 = 33.33 yds/punt net That's a 7 inch difference so punting is a virtual wash except one thing... Weigand (UVA) 2 of 44 punts inside the 20 Bowden (VT) 26 of 72 punts inside the 20 And I'll even give this one to you...we'll throw Gould into the mix for UVA... Gould (UVA) 19 punts, 36.3 yds/punt, 14 of 19 inside the 20. Field Goals/XP Gould (UVA) FG 15-19 .789 Long: 51 yards; XP 29-31 .935 Dunlevy (VT) FG 17-20 .850 Long: 52 yards; XP 35-37 .946 Kick-offs Gould (UVA) 57 KOs, 6 TBs .105 Develli, Dunlevy, Bowden (VT) 66 KOs, 15 TBs .227 Also of note, VT hasn't gone for the blocks as they have in the past due to having Eddie Royal returning punts. They've set up for the return on almost EVERY punt this year. But don't think that they can't block kicks anymore... [/ QUOTE ] Valid statistics, indeed. To my knowledge, I did not state that Virginia's special teams unit was superior to Virginia Tech's. Nor would I imply this. I'm just refuting the age-old adage that Virginia Tech has a vastly superior special teams to Virginia because of Beamer-ball. Your statistics even confirm this! I would give Virginia Tech a very slight edge in this department, given Dunlevy's strong leg on kickoffs and Gould's propensity to seldom shank gimme field goals. As a side note, Virginia uses Chris Gould for short-field punting situations, for two reasons. First, he has fairly good touch on short punts. Second, he has an ability to get great hang time on punts, allowing the gunners to get downfield to down the punt deep in the opponent's red zone. The other 5 kicks that Gould did not down inside the 20 were touchbacks. Also, a valid point about Virginia Tech's lack of blocked kicks. When a team has a returner as explosive as Eddie Royal, a team would be a foolish not to utilize him. Beamer has done a nice job of that. In the end, your statistics show yet another reason why this meeting between Virginia Tech and Virginia could be the greatest in the history of the rivalry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGPIN 10 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 VIRGINIA 21 VT 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] BTW, anyone know which team in NCAA DIV 1-A has the most interceptions since the year 2000? Give up? Virginia Tech. 18 already this year [/ QUOTE ] Incorrect, my friend. Cincinnati leads the nation in interceptions, with 23. Virginia Tech is in a tie for 11th, with a respectable 18. Proof: http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_teampassint&site=org Your other points were good, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhs7695 185 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 LOL Thanks! It is my official way of starting off the SWVA sports family Christmas season! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokie07 11 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] BTW, anyone know which team in NCAA DIV 1-A has the most interceptions since the year 2000? Give up? Virginia Tech. 18 already this year [/ QUOTE ] Incorrect, my friend. Cincinnati leads the nation in interceptions, with 23. Virginia Tech is in a tie for 11th, with a respectable 18. Proof: http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2007&div=4&rpt=IA_teampassint&site=org Your other points were good, though. [/ QUOTE ] No, he is right... he is saying that Virginia Tech had the most from the years 2000 to present. They have 153 interceptions through this past week's Miami game. They have a total of 18 this year and Cincinnati does lead with 23. So both of you are correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Ah, I see my error. I put the number and year together when I shouldn't have. My apologies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano5 14 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 the punt returner for UVA..isnt that..Vic Hall from Gretna that Graham played against like 4 years ago??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Yes sir, that is Vic Hall from Gretna. Groh picked up a verbal commitment from Hall early in his junior year, if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano5 14 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 what other position is he other than PR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Groh converted Hall, the Virginia all-time touchdown passer to cornerback. I disagree strongly with that change, but I'm not paid $1.7 million to coach the team. In my opinion, Hall much better on offense, perhaps as a HB/WR hybrid; he's downright explosive when he gets the ball in his hand. Hall's learning curve at cornerback has been slower than anticipated, but he's making strides a bit at a time. He caught his first career interception in the Miami game, and very nearly another in the third quarter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano5 14 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 is he a starter on D?? i would have to agree with the HB/WR hybrid thing...then they could have the WR reverse pass easily and the HB option pass easily too...hes a smart enough player to know when to throw and when to run...most WR's or HB's throw it everytime they do that play cause they dont know how to read coverages and such... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted Account 5,203 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 He actually does start at cornerback: the number two corner behind junior Chris Cook. That spot might be in question next year, since Ras-I Dowling, a true freshman, has done very nicely when asked to step in for either Cook or Hall. There will be a battle next year in the summer for the position, and I honestly see it going to Dowling. You'll hear more from Dowling, trust me. Virginia's tried the halfback option pass once this year, against Connecticut, and it went for 35 yards. Worked like a charm, and helped open the door for Virginia to win that game. Even if he doesn't pass it, he's very fleet of foot; he took a punt for 65 yards and a near-score against Georgia Tech. He's also ran in a fake field goal opportunity against Pittsburgh. He's got great skills, I just wish that they would be used to their full potential. Expect a Hall halfback pass this weekend against Virginia Tech. Call it a gut feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poker 10 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Groh converted Hall, the Virginia all-time touchdown passer to cornerback. I disagree strongly with that change, but I'm not paid $1.7 million to coach the team. In my opinion, Hall much better on offense, perhaps as a HB/WR hybrid; he's downright explosive when he gets the ball in his hand. Hall's learning curve at cornerback has been slower than anticipated, but he's making strides a bit at a time. He caught his first career interception in the Miami game, and very nearly another in the third quarter. [/ QUOTE ] i def agree but with his height at 5'9 there are few given a chance to play QB at that level even tho i believe he would be a great QB in a spread . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.01bb665814ffc257795fe158cb2045c7.png.8a531ac878a82772b21014d7a6167582.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.