Just back from Virginia. First time in Blacksburg....and was completely impressed by the location and facilities. Our team, not so much.
- Indoor practice facility, outdoor field and athletic offices are all completely new and state of the art and impressive. Has to be one of the top 5 complexes in the country especially given the stadium is right next door. I hope what Miami does is nearly as nice.
- People in Blacksburg were the most welcoming I've experienced. One older gentleman literally stopped me on the street and asked me, sincerely, if everyone in Blacksburg was treating me well. Two others welcomed me to Blacksburg.
- Enter Sandman entrance is electric. If you have never gone to a game at Va Tech I highly recommend it. I for sure will be back in 2018, God willing.
- Njoku is an absolute freak and clearly pops as far as athleticism. It's a shame the VA Tech snipers got him on that play. He has got to clean up the drops though; he's just simply turning up field with his eyes too soon trying to make plays.
- Tech's DBs are legit and played tight man coverage most of the night. Even balls that were caught (outside of Njoku and Herndon catches) were heavily contested.
- Several 3rd and short calls all 3 wideouts/TEs ran 15-20 yard routes which led to Kaaya's sacks b/c the routes were just too long.
- Kaaya threw deep on a 3rd and long (incomplete) with a RB who looked wide open in the middle. He has got to get rid of the ball sooner or even take off once in awhile to keep the defense even remotely honest. Even when he ran the RPO for a 2 yard gain I cheered because at least it was trying something different.
- Kaaya INT the receiver was double covered with safety help. Never should have thrown it.
- Richt/Kaaya missed at least 2 chances to exploit the middle of the field when the safeties were 10 yards or less from the line of scrimmage in the box.
- Certain players are just undisciplined. Carter is a 4 year player and continually makes boneheaded plays. There were 4 15-yd personal foul calls his included which all immediately flipped the field.
- Carter blew coverage on the half back pass for a TD. That should have been an easy INT.
- Walton is completely ineffective in the RPO. Just cannot get going to full speed and doesn't have the lateral ability or vision of Yearby. That said the running lanes were just not there most of the night.
- Kept asking myself where are the wheel routes or screens for the RBs? They did go out on routes up the middle several times but were either not targeted or covered. Not one screen pass attempted all night that I recall.
- Braxton's man was 10-12 yards off him all night and he was never thrown the ball on a hitch. The guy can't make plays if you don't get him the ball in space.
- There was a Dayall Harris sighting. Completely blown PI call. He was mugged. Richt was incensed at no call there.
- Kaaya made several really strong throws but several of the weakest I've seen in the last 3 years as well. He clearly is rattled and does not have confidence in his OL.
- Defense was on the field ALL night. Lack of depth due to injuries and the offense's ability to sustain any drives just sucked it out of the defense which led to fatigue which led to missed tackles.
- Elder is having an All-ACC season and that continued. He played Isiah Ford 1:1 all night and for the most part shut him down. They were jawing all night.
- Other defensive players that stood out. McIntosh is a stud and future 1st rounder. Joe Jackson is as well. We are in good hands in the front 7 next year.
- Rayshawn injury looked serious. He was unable to put any pressure on his leg coming off the field.
- Coley injury I could not see but he immediately was calling for the trainer and urgently pointing at his leg.
- Travis Homer is going to be special. A couple of outstanding tackles on special teams. He's a football player and fast as hell.
- College football should just eliminate the Kickoff. Not one return by either side the whole game.
- Vogel did not pick a good game to have a bad night. He was clearly outplayed by his counterpart.
