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

BradP

December 4th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^

This has been the year of "I don't have a clue" games.

Nobody really knew what Mich had in terms of team 132 until the last couple games of the year.  Now that we have a good idea what Michigan brings to the table, it draws a team that got blown out twice by its only quality opponent, but has more or less handled all of the lesser opponents.

Va Tech obviously isn't a match for Clemson (how that allows them in the Sugar Bowl is beyond me), but controlled their games against GT and UVA.

What that means for Michigan is beyond me, but I'm not really that concerned.

Joined: 10/17/2010

MGoPoints: 770

JLC21

December 4th, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^

I"m just glad it's the Sugar in NOLA. Now just need to convince myself to make the short trip from Houston. Would've been much easier to convince my Houston-alum wife if the Coogs hadn't choked on Saturday.

Joined: 02/26/2009

MGoPoints: 53

734mgoblue

December 4th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^

living in ACC country right now all you hear is how VT has really been the only valid football program in the ACC during the last 10 years. No question that ACC has been garbage the past 10 years, but I haven't seen an overall mess of a conference than what I saw this year. VT had problems against ecu, miami, and barely pulled off a victory over DUKE!!! B1G had success against the ACC in basketball and I'm looking forward to see another bashing courtesy of the maize and blue!

Joined: 07/09/2011

MGoPoints: 47

MGoNOLA

December 4th, 2011 at 8:21 PM ^

YES.... dreams do come true. It is going to be nice having Michigan fans in the city this year compared to all the Ohio fans that polluted the city last year. 

Joined: 11/01/2010

MGoPoints: 478

elm

December 4th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^

Not only do we get to play a team we've never played before (I wonder how many BCS teams we've never played?) but they're a nationally recognized team.  Casual fans will see this as a top matchup and will be more likely to watch than, say, a game against Kansas State or TCU, and a victory will look better.  Plus, I think VT is very beatable: they only managed to beat Duke by 4 points and their only win over a team ranked when they played them was GT, who had a very up and down schedule.

On the other hand, VT's performance in their season-opener gives me some pause.

Joined: 05/11/2011

MGoPoints: 1877

FreddieMercuryHayes

December 4th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^

Mandel said in his twitter that he'll be in New Orleans Jan 3rd and might not even stop by to watch the Sugar Bowl.  I really don't understand that.  It might not be a game between conference champs, but I think it is a very intruiging game.

Joined: 12/29/2010

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