Your 2012 Sugar Bowl: Michigan-Virginia Tech
At least it seems that way. [UPDATE: now official.] When infamous Cam Newton "bag man" troll Danny Sheridan was pushing it earlier in the day it just seemed goofy, but via Stewart Mandel:
@DDoughtyOnAir: UVa has advised TV outlets of media coordinates for Chick-fil-A news conference.
That means they've moved up a slot relative to expectations, which means a second ACC team is in the BCS, which means VT is in the Sugar Bowl since all other spots are spoken for. If you need further confirmation, check multiple rumors on this message board that don't come from established insiders but don't really have to at this point.
The Hokies haven't lost to anyone other than Clemson (in dual blowouts) but also haven't played anyone else. They played no BCS teams in the nonconference and their ACC schedule contains no opponent with more than eight wins.
They've got the usual fierce defense (12th in yardage, 8th in scoring) and mediocre run-based offense; former M recruit David Wilson is the nation's seventh-leading rusher and QB Logan Thomas is somewhat mobile. Interestingly, FEI has them essentially equal on both sides of the ball, ranking their units 20th and 21st pending the formula absorbing their Clemosn butt-kicking. Contrary to stereotype, their special teams are eh. They're 108th in net punting; FEI has them 74th in all phases.
Michigan has never played VT.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
Besides the Sugar bowl, something else is happening January 3rd...the Iowa caucuses! If you are into presidential politics and Michigan football (like I am), you are in for a very entertaining evening.
Go blue!
December 4th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
know of any good Virginia Tech football blogs?
December 4th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
Well, Gobbler Country is the SB Nation site. They're looking forward to the Peach Bowl over there.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
Techsideline.com is the flagship Virginia Tech blog. It's been around since Tech upset Texas in the Sugar Bowl — 16 years ago.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:48 PM ^
Yes sir
December 4th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
December 4th, 2011 at 8:50 PM ^
We are going to destory VT!!! GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2011 at 9:44 PM ^
Is a picture in your sig, and especially that picture, really necessary?
December 4th, 2011 at 8:50 PM ^
Wow, Herbstreit really went off on the Sugar Bowl on the selection show. At least it seemed more directed at VT and not Mich.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
It's nice to be in the Sugar bowl, but when the system revolves around ticket sales and not on-field performance, its a problem. And based on VT's selection, that's what it seems to be.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^
I think we're deserving. VT...not so much.
December 4th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^
Who else do you put in? The only teams ranked ahead in the BCS standings who are able to go (i.e. not the third team from a conference) are Kansas State and Boise State. How do you legitimately discern between them?
December 4th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
He said Va Tech has a "name." Do they really?
I think most of the country is more intrigued with Boise and they sure as hell would rather see RG3, especially if he wins the Heisman.
The Sugar blew this in terms of our opponent. Va Tech is not appealing and the ACC doesn't deserve two teams.
December 4th, 2011 at 10:19 PM ^
Michigan and Shoelace against Baylor and RG3 would be insane. My grandmother would tune in to watch that one. They blew it big time.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^
RG3 vs. Denard would have been a very compelling game to see. Sugar Bowl blew it.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:24 PM ^
He would have a point.
Other than the 1v2, they are just glorified exhibition games. And what do you want in an exhibition? Big names. That's Michigan. That's (sort of) Virginia Tech.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:48 PM ^
He really just seemed mad that we drew VT, which is quite realistically winnable and a kind of a least of all evils BCS matchup for Michigan. He definitely wanted us to draw somebody much more ferocious. Alabama was prolly his dream. I also have heard that Spielman has yet to speak following the Courtney Avery interception last week.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
Herby gives a rats ass what game Michigan plays in or who they play against. He was clearly disgusted just like the rest of us at the teams that got jobbed. K-State & Boise got bigtime hosed.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
Was pissed. Love it.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:55 PM ^
So how did Va Tech make a BCS bowl? They got blown out twice by Clemson, the only ranked team they played, and struggled against subpar competition for most of the year. I think this one is very winnable for us, in fact I will be disappointed if we don't pull this one out unless VT plays a perfect game.
December 4th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^
Burbon st here we come.
December 5th, 2011 at 2:12 AM ^
As a wolverine fan who lives one block from bourbon street, I could not be happier. This will make up for last year, when my neighborhood was teeming with awful buckeyes.
December 5th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
...burbon when u get to New Orlins, Hokies
December 4th, 2011 at 9:02 PM ^
100% of the BCS CG is made up of 1% of the conferences
#OCCUPYSEC
December 4th, 2011 at 9:02 PM ^
A win in this winnable game builds momentum for a great 2012. Go Blue!
December 4th, 2011 at 9:03 PM ^
This makes sense, I guess, considering VT was a top-5 program until they lost to Clemson yesterday. Still, I would have guessed KSU or Baylor would have been a better choice. The talking heads complained because this game feels like a money-grab for visiting dollars which, yeah, that's probably partially true. So is Alabama-LSU part deux.
I've caught a couple VT games this year, and this isn't your usual Hokie squad - that defense is not going to scare you, and they struggle against mobile QBs and solid passing games. I'm sure they'll play well because it is a big game, but I actually feel like this is a better match-up for UM than KSU or Baylor just because the offense is going to be predictable and not nearly as capable of exploiting the flaws in the UM secondary and LB core that a quick-passing attack would.
December 4th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^
Kansas State might have a legitimate beef, but Baylor is 9-3. Of course, Va Tech has one more win (and the same number of losses) as K-State. 11-2 (with one loss in a championship game) seems a bit better than 10-2 (with no championship game).
December 4th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
this whole process is BULLSHIT. How in the hell does the Sugar Bowl assume that Kansas St,, or Boise wouldn't draw as well and certainly be a better game than VT. VT has beaten nobody all season and lost their conference championship badly.
The BCS has now proven beyond any shadow of a doubt they are a shill for one reason and it's money.
Like I said, I'm glad we were chosen, but this system is so F'd up it's ridiculous. I am all for the top four plus one idea. Play the the games becaus ethey are the best teams not because they are the best money makers.
And what is this shit that Ohio at 6-6 gets a "new Years Day" game. They'll destroy Florida. The whole bowl season is becoming a sham. The Rose Bowl will probably be a blow out and the NC game will be a snooze if it's anything like the last time, so the best game is Okie St vs Stanford. Whateva
I know I will wathing Jan. 3. Go Blue!
December 4th, 2011 at 10:12 PM ^
If you think Ohio will destroy their opponent, how do you argue that they're in "too good" of a bowl?
Except for the MNC game, bowls are invitationals, not playoffs.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^
This is why Moo U. will always be littler brother. B1G runner up and the BCS didn't want em. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
December 4th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
Believe me I've been making plenty of MSU jokes, and no the BCS probably doesn't want them, but they're also ineligible with 3 losses
December 4th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
CornellStone22 Darryl Stonum
Ayyyyy sugar bowl babyyyyyy!!!! U mad kirk? Lol #cheerUp
December 4th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
True.
And they are also ineligible for being out of the top 14.
But attributes like ranking and losses are merely details to the dregs of East Landfill who think the BCS is now their birthright.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:31 PM ^
but the system is (almost) completely corrupt.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
I am totally stunned that VT made a BCS bowl, and I am pleased that it will be Michigan. Coming from a half-Michigan family, this is going to be hilarious fun.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
MICHIGAN better be the home freaking team in this game with the BLUE JERSEYS Goddammit!
December 4th, 2011 at 10:15 PM ^
Big game, so I bet DB breaks out the all maize bumble-bee throwbacks.
December 4th, 2011 at 9:53 PM ^
but I absolutely despise football played under a fucking dome. I'd rather have gone out to the Fiesta Bowl or some other outdoor venue, even if it was for a non-BCS Outback or Cap One game. Fuck domed football.
December 4th, 2011 at 10:01 PM ^
but I agree with your general fucking of indoor FB
December 4th, 2011 at 10:16 PM ^
Domes have produced some decent games from time to time:
December 4th, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
The Fiesta Bowl is played in a (retractable roofed) dome.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
Yeah, the fact that it's indoors is the one thing I don't like about the Sugar Bowl. Otherwise it's awesome - and a chance for us to complete our all-time BCS bowl win list (we've already won in the Rose, Fiesta and Orange).
December 4th, 2011 at 10:14 PM ^
Comment on gobblercountry.com (vatech blog):
Which VT team will show up?
Great Opportunity but whit VT will show up. Dinard Robinson and Michigan a very similar to Clemson. Is it possible that VT can play in a big game without chocking? Hopefully this is where we turn the corner?
by LJCool on Dec 4, 2011 9:18 PM EST reply
Dinard? chocking?
gobblercountry? Eat 'em up!
December 4th, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^
Is a spelling contest.
December 4th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^
Of all those words he spelled incorrectly, the one he got right was opportunity. /Shocked
December 5th, 2011 at 10:09 AM ^
"Opportunity" fell victim to some inexplicable capitalization, though. This thing reads like a mid-18th century leaflet - all it's missing is some f's replacing the s's.
December 5th, 2011 at 12:00 AM ^
Yeah. A lot of our commenters are ... yeah.
Looking forward to the trip to New Orleans and the game.
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