2012 sugar bowl
virginia tech

Your 2012 Sugar Bowl: Michigan-Virginia Tech Comment Count

Brian

David Wilson East Carolina v Virginia Tech -B_v9fEmFkPl[1]denard-heisman

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.

15 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

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.

Comments

South TX MFan

December 4th, 2011 at 10:38 PM ^

I'm glad we got picked for the Sugar Bowl. It's within driving distance for me and I have a place to stay. Oh and the fact that I already bought tickets lol. My first game was at the Big House against Ohio and now this? What a year. GO BLUE!

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 2611

BigBlue62

December 4th, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^

Played ANYBODY (Did see they played app state in week 1 though...:/ ). Take a quick peek at their results from this year - what a joke we play them instead of Boise... I think we're gonna CRUSH VTech. Cause Clemson is not really as good as advertised either, IMO.

Joined: 05/10/2011

MGoPoints: 145

AMazinBlue

December 4th, 2011 at 11:35 PM ^

Teams are chosen on name only and not on their on the field accomplishments.   We're in the Sugar due to name and the fact that we have improved so much over last year.  VT over Boise and K-State is purely name and rep.  I know there are limits due to how many teams each conference can have in the BCS, but this years bowl games seem pretty weak overall all.

My commet about OSU getting NYD game at 6-6, but destroying the Gators is about how bad the Gators are and that Ohio will always get more than they deserve. 

I really hate that the ESS EEE SEE will be able to say they won another MNC this year.  A plus-one format would be great this year.  If LSU played Stanford and Bama played Okie St and then the winners played I would OK with that.  If it ended up LSU and Bama so be it, but at least they had to play to get there.

It's just annoying when so many argued agaionst a re-match in '06, but now those same people are totally OK with it b/c it's the SEC.  What a crock of shit.   If it's all FGs again, the audience will fall asleep.

Joined: 10/12/2008

MGoPoints: 7197

Blue Hokie

December 5th, 2011 at 12:55 AM ^

 

As a Viginia Tech student and a HUGE Michigan fan, I'm pretty excited about this match-up.  With that said, I believe Michigan will be able to handle Virginia Tech fairly easily.  

OFFENSE - Tech has two senior recievers in Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale that are 1 and 2 in the school record books for receptions and yards.  Boykin is the better of the two with big hands and decent speed.  Coale is a possession-type with great hands and route running skills.  David Wilson is one of the fastest running-backs in the country and is dangerous in space.  Logan Thomas is a 6-6 245 monster with a strong arm and decent running ability (for a guy his size).  He came to Tech as one of the top TEs in the country, but played QB in HS.  Where Michigan will shine is on the line.  Tech has a very experienced offensive line, but they were not highly rated recruits and the lines on both side of the ball are the weakest link at Virginia Tech over the last few years.  Tech was manhandled last year by Stanford's huge offensive line, and Clemson's athletic defensive line dominated the Hokies twice this season.  

DEFENSE - As stated above, Virginia Tech has some good athletes on the field on both sides of the ball, but the line is probably our weakest unit.  The Hokie defense has been decimated by ijuries this season, with four players out for the season, including two linebackers and a defensive tackle.  The secondary is the strongest group, headlined by 2010 All-American CB Jayron Hosley.  Hosley has been plagued by injuries this season, but should be healthy by the bowl game.  Opposite of him is Kyle Fuller, a guy that is used all over the field by Bud Foster, and should have been named 1st Team All-ACC.  At safety, Eddie Whitley is a good run stopper, but has slow hips and struggles to defend the pass, even when he seems to have a guy covered.  At free safety is Antone Exum, a hard-hitter and overall good player.  The linebackers are decent to good, with the best one, Bruce Taylor, out for the season with a foot injury.  Defensive line is small, but the best one is DE James Gayle.  

SPECIAL TEAMS - Virginia Tech is known for Beamerball and great special teams play.  However, this year has been an exception.  The Hokies kicker is new this year and has not been great.  Tech has played three punters this year, with the last and current starter being WR Danny Coale.  The return game is decent with RB David Wilson returning kicks, and CB Jayron Hosley returns punts.  Both have scored on returns in their career, but there has not been a return TD this season.

Overall, Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster is a very good coach and knows how to coach a defense.  The same cannot be said for Offensive Coordinator Brian Stinespring.  Tech fans have been unhappy with his play-calling ability for years, and this year he was removed from game-day playcalling and replaced by the QB coach.  Athough Tech has won 11 games this year, the playcalling has been questionable at best.  

If Michigan can penetrate with Martin and Van Bergen to shut down the run, David Wilson will be taken out of the game and Logan Thomas will be forced to throw.  Although he is still a good passer, without the threat of a play-action, he could have trouble finding open receivers.

Michigan's offense will have success if it can get its running game going with Denard and Fitz, but I expect Denard to throw at least one INT.  Like always, this is a known risk, but I expect Michigan to win by 14.

Joined: 12/04/2011

MGoPoints: 72