ACC Ref Not Confident in VaTech vs. Michigan

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December 31st, 2011 at 12:30 AM
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jonvalk
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ACC Ref Not Confident in VaTech vs. Michigan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

So, apparently, ESPN asked officials from the different conferences to give an analysis on the teams playing in the BCS games.  You can find the article here (disclaimer: Insider needed). It was refreshingly candid (assuming due to anonymity) and the ACC official was very blunt in his assessment of how Michigan stacks up against VaTech.

''Clearly, they struggle with dynamic quarterbacks. Clemson exposed that twice. If Michigan lets Robinson do his thing, it could mean big problems very early. And what else did Clemson teach us? If you stretch a lead, Tech isn't the kind of team that can come back. They need to keep it close and let Wilson do his thing. I don't see that happening."

Heck of an endorsement for the Wolverines coming from a guy who's seen this Hokie team often.  I can't wait for Tuesday!

 

Go Blue!

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December 31st, 2011 at 12:34 AM | The confident little (Score:5 Normal)
Hugh Jass
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Joined: 01/03/2011
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kid in me says Michigan will win big, but as an adult I always think the worst....gonna be a tough hard fought game.....GO BLUE

If someone ever invented a low fat vitamin - filled vegetable that tasted like fudge covered Rice Krispies treats - I'd probably eat better

 

 

December 31st, 2011 at 1:50 AM | it sucks... (Score:5 Normal)
4godkingandwolv...
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Joined: 08/06/2008
MGoPoints: 3499

that age does that.  I'm the same way.

Do Something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.

December 31st, 2011 at 9:35 AM | Don't know if it's age ... (Score:3 Normal)
Ponypie
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 371

I feel that it's simply having spent many years watching Michigan teams that should win handily come ill-prepared, play tight, play without condifence, play down to their opponent (not that VT has "down" to play to), and so on. That kind of history makes pessimists out of many of us. Plus, my wife claims that Michigan fans have some kind of genetic predisposition to take on a slough of despond attitude, so it must be a nature and nurture double whammy. 

Makes it hard to emotionally experience what we say: "We're Michigan," and all that.

December 31st, 2011 at 10:43 AM | The history that makes a pessimist out of me (Score:3 Normal)
Don
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MGoPoints: 19380

is our 15-21 record in bowls since January 1970. Many of those losses have been to teams ranked lower than we were at the time. Virtually all of our losses have been to teams that the large majority of UM fans were confident we'd beat like a drum, so I'm not going to take anything said by an ACC official as anything other than a trap, to get the Wolverines relaxed and off their game.


December 31st, 2011 at 12:00 PM | I would like to add... (Score:2 Normal)
steviebrownforh...
Joined: 02/01/2009
MGoPoints: 2548

Sometimes, teams just come to play. They have something to prove.  This was the case when UM played Iowa earlier this year, and, to a certain extent, MSU as well.

I would not be surprised to see Virginia Tech come out of the gate with a ton of energy and emotion.  They'll be pissed off that everyone has been saying they don't belong in the Sugar Bowl and they'll be out to prove them wrong.  It sounds cliche but in a sport that relies so heavily on momentum, it's been proven that a team with a chip on its shoulder can provide a togher than expected matchup.

Fortunately, a few mistakes can deflate an emotional team very quickly.  I'm optimistic, but we'll see what happens.  Either way, from someone who had doubts of Hoke in the beginning, it's been a great season and I'm excited to see the finale.

 

December 31st, 2011 at 3:31 AM | Same exact feeling over here. (Score:1)
RickH
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Same exact feeling over here.  I just don't see anything that supports Virginia Tech keeping the game close, let alone winning, yet I'm afraid to talk shit to any VT friends.  The OSU game didn't help me feel any better as well...

December 31st, 2011 at 7:20 AM | (No subject) (Score:1)
buttesnake
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December 31st, 2011 at 12:34 AM | I am worried that VaTech has (Score:4 Normal)
wildbackdunesman
Joined: 07/16/2008
MGoPoints: 2599

I am worried that VaTech has had enough bulletin board material to fire them up after a crushing ACC Title Game loss.

December 31st, 2011 at 1:49 AM | This. (Score:1 Normal)
jaysvw
Joined: 09/27/2008
MGoPoints: 174

This.

December 31st, 2011 at 12:35 AM | Interesting persepective. (Score:2 Normal)
RowoneEndzone
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Interesting persepective.  Never seen analysis on the record from an official.

"Wasn't that Michigan drive just great.  That's like Patton riding into Berlin." ~Bob Ufer

December 31st, 2011 at 12:39 AM | I know. Wasn't it weird? ESPN (Score:2 Normal)
jonvalk
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Joined: 07/19/2009
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I know. Wasn't it weird? ESPN thinking outside the box.  First they put together those awesome 30 for 30 documentaries and now this.  Oh, and the Sports Science on Denard was pretty awesome, even if the moron doing the video did say "Denard Shoelace Robinson" WAY too many times.

December 31st, 2011 at 1:42 AM | Yeah no doubt.  I have never (Score:1)
RowoneEndzone
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Yeah no doubt.  I have never seen anything like that before.  You could do a lot with that concept.  I am sure it is a little taboo for refs to talk about teams though.  Good find man.

"Wasn't that Michigan drive just great.  That's like Patton riding into Berlin." ~Bob Ufer

December 31st, 2011 at 12:41 AM | That's reassuring (Score:0 Redundant)
December 31st, 2011 at 12:58 AM | Hoke & Company Can Add to the Michigan Legacy (Score:2 Normal)
SF Wolverine
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by making bowl games contests that we expect to win.  Be very nice to see a focused team show up, play loose and confident, and get a convincing win.  Like Carr ended against Urban Liar's former squad. 

De Oppresso Liber
December 31st, 2011 at 1:17 AM | Call me crazy (Score:3 Normal)
razor93
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Joined: 03/30/2011
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But I think we win by 3 TDS. Call me a homer or say I am wearing Maize and Blue colored glasses but I really believe the seniors want to make a statement in their last game especially after the last 3 years they had to go through.

December 31st, 2011 at 1:29 AM | You're a homer. (Score:2 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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You're wearing maize and blue colored sunglasses.



(Hey, you asked)

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

December 31st, 2011 at 12:49 PM | Homer is the man! (Score:2 Normal)
NHGoBlue
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Where did you get these Maize & Blue glasses? 

 

Fergodsakes! 

December 31st, 2011 at 1:49 AM | Man, after the past 10 years, (Score:-1 Flamebait)
December 31st, 2011 at 8:35 AM | M-Wolverine already brought (Score:2)
UMgradMSUdad
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M-Wolverine already brought levity to the conversation.

December 31st, 2011 at 11:00 AM | More than 10 years (Score:3 Normal)
Reader71
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MGoPoints: 317

All time record is 19-21.

Bo: 5-12(!!).

Mo: 4-1(!). 

Lloyd: 6-7.

Still, we are the winningest program in the history of programs, so forgive us our optimism.

"In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity." 

December 31st, 2011 at 11:27 AM | '70s (Score:2 Normal)
Jasper
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This seems like an appropriate time to haul out the Big Ten's '70s Rose Bowl record: 1-9

Poor Bo (especially in the early '70s, when he had arguably the most talented teams in the modern UMich era) -- when equally talented teams put what seemed like thirteen guys "in the box" he didn't have an answer. Just kept trying to "establish the run" ...

And, yeah, look at Moeller's bowl record! History has not treated him well enough.

"500 channels and nothing but cats."

December 31st, 2011 at 4:43 PM | Bo, it should be noted, went (Score:2)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 29067

Bo, it should be noted, went 0-7 in bowls during the 1970s and 5-5 in bowls during the 1980s.    So since 1980 we're 15-14 in bowls, which is respectable given that we've often been the de facto road team.  The 1970s losing streak drags our statistics down.  

December 31st, 2011 at 1:24 AM | at least the hokies can't (Score:1)
ThadMattasagoblin
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at least the hokies can't kick field goals and it would be huge to win in a blowout on national television.

903 wins most in college football

December 31st, 2011 at 4:57 AM | That's weird..... (Score:2)
JR's Flow
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Me neither!

"This might sound arrogant and if it is, it is. We're Michigan."- Brady Fucking Hoke

December 31st, 2011 at 7:12 AM | He Forgets One Thing... (Score:3 Normal)
LSAClassOf2000
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It's easier  to stretch a lead when your QB can bend normal space around him as he  runs.

Actually, I am in the same boat as others here - the adult in me says that this one could be fought down to the last possession or so, but it should be pretty entertaining regardless to watch our "resurgent" (ESPN's word in the promo) Wolverines take on what seems like a potentially dangerous Hokies team. I rather enjoyed reading analysis from someone who actually doesn't write for ESPN. 

I won't be in NOLA, but I will be wearing my beads on the sofa all the same. 

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

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December 31st, 2011 at 9:15 AM | I'll be wearing my beads on the sofa too . . . (Score:4 Funny)
jabberwock
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and nothing else.

Love & Hate are horns on the same goat.

December 31st, 2011 at 11:52 AM | Faith (Score:2)
Brimley
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I am choosing to believe that you are the woman in GoBlueLoveYou's avatar.

You are NOT allowed to ruin my day by telling me you're a dude with a big hairy belly.

Because I'm old and grouchy

December 31st, 2011 at 8:43 AM | I don't think any humility or (Score:1)
stetgor
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I don't think any humility or concern comes generically from age and macro experience as much as the micro experience of our past bowl performances and our recent woes that have only really come together in the last few game weeks.  We went through games where Denard was missing 25-30 yd passes by 10 yds, didn't have Toussant at the present level yet and really had no idea what kind of defense we had.  Having said that, I agree with Razor93 that not only the seniors, but all non-freshman that have experienced any part of the prior 3 years want to make a statement - especially the defense.  So, with all due humility and the past considered, I look at where this team is at RIGHT NOW and I think we have a strong chance to win and could win convincingly.   

Chicago Blue!

December 31st, 2011 at 10:51 AM | sounds like the ACC refs are (Score:1)
jambon923
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sounds like the ACC refs are more interested in watching the game than mediating it

December 31st, 2011 at 11:04 AM | It's nice to get some respect (Score:2)
WolverineHistorian
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It's nice to get some respect even if it's from a ref.  But I agree with the rest of you. The college football GODS rarely show mercy on us in bowl games.  And we haven't won a bowl game comfortably since 1994. 

Part of me likes our chances but a bigger part is worried about VaTech's motivation after a whole month of hearing that they don't deserve to be in this bowl. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

December 31st, 2011 at 11:14 AM | I seem to remember feeling (Score:1)
jonvalk
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MGoPoints: 2060

I seem to remember feeling pretty comfortable during the Outback Bowl win in 2003 vs. Florida, but that's just me.  Maybe my mind was fuzzy from no sleep the night before and all.

December 31st, 2011 at 11:39 AM | My non-fuzzy mind felt just a (Score:3 Normal)
WolverineHistorian
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My non-fuzzy mind felt just a tad bit of relief when Adam Finley kicked the field goal to put us up by 8 with a couple minutes remaining but that's still a one possession game.  And Florida started driving only to be helped out more when Victor Hobson was called for a late hit out of bounds.  That put the Gators at the 27 with a little over a minute to go.

Thankfully, Ron Zook called for that end around throw which was picked off but this was by no means a comfortable win. 

Go Blue!  Always!

http://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian

December 31st, 2011 at 2:11 PM | Yeah, I went back and (Score:1)
jonvalk
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MGoPoints: 2060

Yeah, I went back and re-watched it this morning.  It honestly felt a little like the Capital One Bowl in 2008 after the 2nd quarter.  Back and forth, back and forth.  We KILLED them with screens in the fashion I'd forgotten we could do until this past year when Borges called it to perfection with Vincent Smith.  I think that game propelled Chris Perry into his beast-mode of a season in 2003.

December 31st, 2011 at 11:17 AM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
MGoblu8
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I'll tell you this, and I'll probably say this more than once, if we lose on a last second FG, I'm going to take an overnight dip in Lake Okeechobee.

December 31st, 2011 at 4:42 PM | I don't know who in the hell (Score:1)
ckersh74
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I don't know who in the hell is going to kick that game winning FG, since Va Tech just sent another kicker home last night.

December 31st, 2011 at 12:08 PM | As someone who watches the (Score:2)
MaizeAndBlueWahoo
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As someone who watches the ACC on the regular it gives me negative confidence that one of the refs thinks Michigan is a prohibitive favorite.  They're good for at least two facepalms and/or objects hurled at the TV per game.

"We've beaten Michigan the last four years.  So where's the threat?"

- Mark Dantonio

Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<

December 31st, 2011 at 12:55 PM | All this VT negative hype, are we being set up for an ambush (Score:1)
AMazinBlue
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Joined: 10/12/2008
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It seems like no one believes in the Hokies for this game and thathat makes me nervous.  I am getting the feeling that we are being set up.

What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve and...Those Who Stay WILL Be Champions.

December 31st, 2011 at 1:09 PM | An ambush? (Score:1)
Ezeh-E
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MGoPoints: 193

Hoke may profess to not know much about Xs and Os, but he knows a little something about how to ambush the ambushers.

 

(Hint: it's in the double point)

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