Florida State Virginia Tech football preview

  #16 Virginia Tech @ #13 Florida State:

FEAR the …spear!!!”

Virginia Tech football travels 641 miles south for a made for TV Labor Day nighttime date vs. Atlantic Division perennial swaggy Florida State on Monday ESPN/ESPN3 at 8 pm! (preseason rankings: courtesy of Athlon)

The Hokies are already staked as a +6 point betting underdog out on the Vegas big board and yet these are two big-name Atlantic Coast teams that are in a mutual state of, fluctuation. As the Seminoles (less 1 coach) are starting 100% over and have questions/concerns at Qb and along their offensive line to boot. Our Fighting Gobblers have had a pretty torrent looking off-season as well; an off-season that was nearly ineligible for a certain Qb1 hitting the torpid VT.edu fan, just a minute ago. As both clubs have had an eventful off-season to put it, mildly; and both clubs have to be more than willing to actually eschew all this bad press and get back to some good ole fashioned industrialized hard work. And that makes this event a curious, displaced, hacked and even outlying event to actually call. And that segues us effortlessly enough into our word of the day… …and yah; I know, you wanna know who will win… read on to find, out! (p.s. try some mouse hovers, this year for Easter eggs here-n-there)

Today’s word of the day is… flux!

flux  (flŭks)

noun. (genome: Middle English/Old French)

  1. flow or flowing of a liquid.
  2. Constant or frequent change; instability.
  3. ~midnight Labor Day Night when one of these two teams will be feeling… all fluxed up!

Florida State Head Coach: Willie Author Taggart: age=41, (debut F.s.u. year; 47-50, .484 overall). Has a rep’ for a lethally simple offensive; recognized as one of the most elite recruiters in national terms to boot.

$5,000,000.oo

Baller Taggart was a prep standout at Bradenton Manatee High School in Florida, where he was a first team all-state and all-conference selection as a Sr. after guiding the B.M. H.S. Hurricanes to back-to-back state AAAAA Championship games. Baller Taggart won one as a Jr. while recording more than 3,000 yards passing and 975 yards on the ground.

After high school, Taggart became a star Qb for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers from 1995 through 1998, Taggart is one of only three W.k.u. players in the previous 50 years to be a four-year starter at the Qb position and one of only four Hilltoppers players to have his jersey retired. In each of his last two collegiate seasons, he was a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award, as one of the top offensive players in I-AA ‘ball. Taggart finished fourth in the balloting in 1997 and seventh as a senior the following year. An all-American as a senior, he was also the 1998 I-AA Independents’ Offensive Player of the Year. Taggart was recruited to W.k.u. by Jim Harbaugh to play for his father, legendary Jack Harbaugh.

Coach Taggart was named head coach at his alma mater where he snapped an ugly 26 game L streak and eventually went on to C.P.R., revive, St.Lazarus and resuscitate his Hilltoppers with two winning seasons and a Bowl bid in his final three W.k.u. seasons. Coach Taggart then bolted for his home state So.Florida Bulls. Putting in two final winning seasons in four years with one bowl victory for good measure. Last year coach Taggart went 7 up and 5 down over at Oregon increasing the Ducks win tally by three W’s over 2016. Now he’s back home down in the sunshine state where you just know he knows any and all recruiting front-doors, back-doors, trap-doors and connections galore.

Additionally, Coach Taggart has squired something of a tag as being an erudite Cultural Change agent. As he has turned all four L’ing schools he mastered around and turned all four L’ing schools into winners in 24 games or less. Hygiene, 1o1…

Offensively, coach Taggart has shepherded seemingly diametrically opposing powerhouse and spread offensive sets efficaciously enough. Flexibility, 1o1…

Overall, every single coach Taggart O and D less a single spot of offensive ranking has improved every single year under coach Taggart’s big whistle command and control. Every single time, every single year, at all four schools! T.Q.M., 6-Σ in the U.S., “Kaizen” in Japan or continuous improvement everywhere you look, 1o1…

Taggart calls his own plays; centralization, 1o1…

Curiously enough, Coach Taggart’s sapling coaching tree has already spawned no less than four head coaches formerly under his tutelage.

  • Tom Allen: Indiana (2016–present)
  • Lance Guidry: McNeese State (2016–present)
  • Mike Sanford Jr.: Western Kentucky (2017–present)
  • Mario Cristobal: FIU (2007–2012), Oregon (2018–present)

Nevertheless… another way to put all of that is to say that… the Seminoles just hired a guy who has yet to win a conference championship, a guy with zero playoffs, a negative Bowl mark, and a guy who has a <.5oo or an L overall record in his eight of his seasons as a college head football coach. Or in other words, the Taggart jury is still out if not well, hung.

Poppa Taggart and his wife Taneshia have three children: two sons (Willie Jr. and Jackson) and a daughter (Morgan).

Seminole 2017 record: 7 up 6 down and 3-5 in the A.c.c.

F.s.u. Defense: (starters back=4)

  • Age=51, Harlon Barnett: D-cord’, ex of Michigan State; former 7 year Safety in the N.f.l. Barnett is something of a schematic fossil as one of the few remaining defensive coordinators to employ a base Cover-4 package. I.e. Cb, Cb, Fs, Ss, all tend to be isolated with man-to-man responsibilities across the width of the field.
  • Boodell Haggins: was the only refugee Staffer good enough to be the only Jimbo retainee. A former Seminole late 80’s Dt his ownself, Odell enjoys a recruiting rep’ and deploys a run-stop first look. Accordingly, Barnett can drop 6 or 7 into coverage and only send 4 or 5 vs. the pass thanks to Haggins’ said dynamic d-Line recruiting for years; plural.
  • D is now known as the “War Daddy” D!

    Best De on the field!
  • 18th in Total D.
  • 31st vs. the run.
  • 29th vs. the throw.
  • 51st in Qb’s sacked.
  • 28th in Tackles for a Loss (TFL) inflicted.
  • 5th in dLine Havoc! The ‘Noles d-Line is as good as we will see all year. Dt is loaded and Flash (Will or wide side) De, one #99, Brian Burns (6′6″, 235 lb. Jr.) is just the damn bookend truth. The rest of the Seminole De’s have tallied a whopping zero career sacks between ’em and are talented though pretty green by-the-bye. Additionally the other three F.s.u. De’s are all coming off of medium dings/dents and two of their top-3 De’s are coming off of major surgery. De is less deep than Dt and yet do not sleep on #99, he’s a beast. Yes, it is Christmas every autumn weekend this season down in the panhandle for coach Haggins with surprise returnee Demarcus Christmas and Marvin Wilson hard thumping away on the inside for the F.s.u. front-4 where opposing Qb’s will fall.  Christmas (6′5″, 309 lb. r-Sr.) and Wilson (6′5″, 317 lb. Soph. ¦ spring partial M.c.l. tear; St.Nikon bless) are both Pro’s. Christmas is a multi-year starter and Wilson only beat out a multi-year starter. So the ‘Nole Dt’s are talented, they are deep, they are experienced and they are prolly the biggest Dt’s we will face all campaign long (the backup Dt3 only goes (6′2″, 378 lbs.!) Vice Squad buckle up!
  • 113th in Linebacking Havoc. Star-Lb (wide-side or Will-Lb) is loaded for bear with two VHT (very highly touted) OLb recruits, with the Sam-Lb derby a 3-way dance and two of ’em are coming off of surgery. However; Mike-Lb is spearheaded (pardon the Native American pun); MLb is spearheaded by  (6′2″, 238 lb. Jr.) Dontavious Jackson. Jackson is a big-time run-fighting Texas recruit whose game is indeed: “everything’s bigger”, as he was only ranked the no.5 Lb nationally coming outta high school. Jackson almost looks like a Dt trapped in an Lb’s body and he has cut about 20 lbs. since getting to F.s.u. accordingly. F.s.u.’s Jackson is the vocal leader of the State stop-unit and yah; ‘fraid so… as Jackson on Jackson crime, here we come!

    Legit, 1o1…
  • 26th in Secondary Havoc. The Seminole secondary has several ballers lining up in their potential final year or in Sunday terms in their contract season(s). N.F.L. bling is on the line here for several (seemingly) underachieving ‘Noles who are about to depart Tallahassee one way or the other. Leading the way, however, is possibly a rookie or nugget year Fr. at Ss or the kid coach Tag’s has already labeled “the dude”, the best team pianist (no joke); or one #20 Jaiden Woodbey. Woodbey is a 6′3″, 215 lb. Fr. Star-Lb/Fs combo’ or basically their (head) Hunter+ or an F.s.u. hybrid Rover. Though the latest garnet and gold hints say that A.J. Westbrook may start at Ss with Woodbey moving up to Lb. Levonta Taylor is merely one of the top returning Cb’s in college football and a next level baller; ’nuff said. Beyond Levonta however, and the State Cb’s are whispered to be kinda thin on the cover edges as quality depth goes. Note as well that F.s.u. employs a fulltime Boundary-S (i.e. Ss) who shades to the narrow side of the field with a few more run responsibilities or shallower depth of pass coverage; thereby leaving the F.s.u. Fs as a true Centerfielder or safety-net last resort stopgap measure. Fs Cyrus Fagan has the rep’ of a real live hitter; and this is one big ole, tall, ball-hawking F.s.u. secondary on paper; almost gar-ron-teeed to be the largest hind-4 we will scrum against all year.
  • D overall: Mega takeaway and takeaway advancing and scoring D last year what with no less than 36 defensive points tallied down in Tally. And that type of anesthesia would seem to fit the newly remodeled Tampa-4 look to the proverbial “T”. Or to put it another way -and unless JAX and company can connect on some HR type throws to (bleep) with this many man-coverage isolations looks- in my considered evaluation? This is the worst schematic match-up for the Fu’fense this side of @Syracuse or vs. Duke (teams that play full-time Nickle/Dime sets). As in, although this is not a base Zone look, this is an even tighter covering D underneath. Where a good 60% of the Fu’fensive plays live. Or to put it another way gents… this ‘Nole D reminds me of what the Oaktown/L.a. (or wherever they currently are) Raiders of Lester “the molester” Hayes and Michael Haynes fame did to the “smurfs” or “fun bunch” of Joe Theismann fame in the Super Bowl, way-way back when. Rugged, physical, in your jock tight/press/jam man-to-man on the edges. Yes, it is true, one misstep or slip and there is no real live Centerfielder safety help behind the needy initial Cb coverage here. However, how many of the still on-the-job-training Hokie Wideouts strike you as game-breaking “crazy legs” Hirsch? Me neither. How does the contemporary Tech Qb1 strike you on the long-ball or our experienced, decent maybe even solid oLine strike you vs. numerous **** and ***** star guys upfront from F.s.u. in what basically amounts to an N.f.l. taxi squad to Lamborghini type front-four guys that we have to protect successfully against for at least a “three-Mississippi’s” count in sandlot terms. Again; me, neither men— as this one is all about the Benjamin’s and even if they are still retooling a smidgen, their Benjamin’s tend to spend better than our Ulysses S. Grants or (Andrew) Jackson’s. And just like our last visit to Florida, I’m hoping this type fast-forward high-velocity game does not expense poor J.Jackson his remaining September health going forth.

    Base 43 look:
  • ∑ (summary): pretty much an old-school or even base forty-three upon breaking tape. Though they will break the 4-3 and shift into an occasional forty-two offset stagger as the game wears on; even saw a few 30 sets. Will 2/3-technique a pseudo Ng, and a Sam side stand-up 2-point stance De from time-to-time (add-in: all-conference De, Burns seems like this is his dream defense to me). Lotta press to not less than medium-man on the edges, with the Safeties either playing man or halves behind all of that. Linebackers are kinda narrow on their linebacking splits as clearly this D wants to funnel things towards either sideline and not allow you to get much work up the gut. Physical, run-fighting D on film that will deal or run-blitz Lb’s as situationally warranted/allowed. Although not the best form-tacking D I’ve ever studied either. Safeties ain’t technically shallow so much as they surely are not deep; again; a run-stuffing look as/when down-n-distance encourages. IF, you can “three-Mississippi” pass-protect, should be some play-action medium+ chances to take here, likewise a secondary rush to the edge to take advantage of such A and B-gap needy Linebackers smash tendencies. D does play the ball not the man and they surely place a whole lotta trust in their Cb’s surviving -if not thriving- in aggressive press-man sets on the outside. Lotta looping, stunty, and blitz baiting looks in passing situations, as the run-first look is clear-cut and predominate here. D-line does do a lotta read-n-react business as opposed to hardcore north-south hard-charging. CONCLUSION(s): in order to attack this Spartan of a D, it would surely be a blessing to be Ot and Te strong in order to get a good run-fit internal seal on the F.s.u. edges and try to congest the front-7 guys inside. Yes, Silas Dzansi— I am looking (right) at, you! Mutually, it would sure help if you had big ole Wideouts who are physically gifted on releases to get behind this much jam coverage and test the daring ‘Nole Cb’s on edge. D wears a lotta face paint eye-black; like being at a 1970’s KISS Alive II tour level of eye-black.
    (though I can add this little, this is one deep, good, solid dLine; very solid, easily on the Top-3 we will see all year, maybe even close to being in the Top-1. However after that the talented though loquacious F.s.u. hind-7 had its share of tackling difficulties last campaign, finishing 113th overall in solo-stops)

Defensive letter-grade:

F.s.u. Offense: (returning starters=8)

  • Age=33, Walt Bell: O-Cord’, has a rep’ for a very fast-paced offensive system and as a coaching hot commodity. Don’t get too attached Seminole readers…
  • 100th in Total O.
  • 76th in aerial O.
  • 89th in ground O.
  • 94th in sacks allowed | 117th in TFL allowed!
  • Qb=???, TBD, as this looks like a very narrow two to three-way race at the beginning of camp between the injured (A.c.l.) and troublesome and yet dual-threat 2017 initial incumbent (6′1″, 215 lb. r-Jr.) Deondre Francois; the early season takeover and 2017 closing incumbent  (6′5″, 181 lb. Soph. string-bean) James Blackman; and now we add a rookie who is making a pocket-Qb move of his own this during this August camp in (6′2″, 206 lb. r-Fresh.) Bailey Hockman. Nevertheless, and either way, each guy is a real live talent; albeit per two differing offensive philosophies, and that does put F.s.u. at something of a play-calling crossroads as this Qb1 August Camp derby heats up down in Tally (i.e. a Pocket or a dual-threat supporting Qb). (READERS note: will update/expand this part, later | UPDATE: sources say (o8.18 that Francois would start today)… well Francois is the Qb1 and let me tell you… he looks much much leaner this year… and just watch the INSANELY abusive video down below. Yes, he is athletic, he was nimble looking (before the ugly A.c.l. blowout); yes he has a pretty dang sharp buggy whip Joe Gilliam Jr. (early 70’s Bradshaw back-up Qb2) type arm, and yes Francois throws a mean home run ball. Nonetheless, this is the WORST pocket-presence I’ve seen on film in many years, basically, the Helen Keller of Qb’s (God Bless–) downfield as field-vision goes. A literal human punching-bag of a Quarterback who is not a sissy –to be sure– every bit as he is virtually defenseless and any D who plays this poor kid has to be licking their chops once they watch the punishment video that this website did actually link down below. “Protect yourself at all times.” -Nevada District Court Judge and boxing referee Mills Lane- indeed! Truer words never were spoken gents; no freakin’ (bleep)! As he was seen in recent F.s.u. footage lugging a nasty hacksaw full double hinge (left) knee brace around this August camp. As that can not possibly be a salubrious good sign. And quite frankly this kid already has a sanguine cut and in boxing terms, you gotta go on and open that cut right on up. All fingers point to roughing this kid up just like dat!

    Little man who runs pretty big.
  • The ‘Nole oLine returns two (some say three) starters and the left-Ot (the oft’ injured 6′6″, 312 lb. r-Jr. Abdul Bello and/or 6′5″, 330 lb. r-Sr. Derrick Kelly) being the bell-cow(s) here. What with former starting blindside-Ot apparently no longer in school after having been suspended for: “dating violence“; God Bless. Additionally, the edge blocking looks better than does the internal wedge of G-c-G; this is not to say the internal trinary blockers are untalented, it is, however, to say they have been playing musical chairs this past spring and it is to also say that they are lacking experience or greenhorn ballers; albeit highly ranked ones coming outta high school. Left-G Landon Dickerson (6′6″, 308 lb. r-Soph., A.c.l. and blown ankle) is whispered to have the most potential of the lot, although he is one of the numerous oLine ballers coming off of some kinda concussion syndrome, knee, foot and/or ankle injuries (quite plural) for F.s.u. to boot. Right-G (6′5″, 332 lb. r-Jr.) Cole Minshew is said to be the best pure run-blocker on the club. The C and Mechanicsville, Va. native (Alec Eberle, 6′4″, 296 lb. r-Sr., undisclosed spring-ball injury) is a two-year returning starter and the one real source of stability and settlement for the F.s.u. front-5; still yet, F.s.u. does enjoy the #1 C recruit in America (2016) who is tailgating Alec for playing-time as we speak. And least you slumber-party sleep on this seemingly mismatched/juxtaposed F.s.u. front-5 on O; recall that seven different blockers return with starting experience (no) thanks to such a beat-up looking 2017 upfront. As said the edges look superior on paper although the interior Seminole oLine fields superior depth, options, and combinations. This proceeds the conclusion of pass-blocking being just a scosche out in front of the F.s.u. run-fits… though time will tell here on that. As the onus here with a towering and pretty beefy oLine is upon movement/footwork and getting/springing skill-players into proverbial play-making space.

    “Breaker-breaker foursix!”
  • Rb: F.s.u. returns no less than at least two full Pro’s here gents… the first being (5′11″, 210 lb. Soph.) #23, Cam Akers (#3 in the pic)— the leading freshman rusher in program history… think about that one for a Burt Reynolds or Fred Biletnikoff moment men. Yah; me three on wondering what happens with a bogus Gap-fit or any of our new-wood second layer guys lacking any seasoning or playing any version of hero-ball if any of these F.s.u. Rb’s gets a seam. Then mix-in -or should I say unleash- one #19 (6′3″, 234 lb. final year) Jaques Patrick and you really do have a thunder-n-lightening stylized pre-fab turnkey rushing attack. Quite possibly the best 1-2 Rb punch we will catch all year long. Only 1,772 combined between these Top-2 F.s.u. next level backs last year, and they have a ***** Rb3 who can’t even get onto the field —don’t cry for me F.s.u.
  • Wr: the ‘Noles Nyqwan Murray (5′11″, 192 lb. final year) is a dynamic play-making threat anywhere and everywhere on the field and it is advisable to get him the rock and let him do work any way you can (read: reverses, jet-sweeps, returns). Murray is also a historically delicate player if not at times, a bit downright… brittle (latest=spring meniscus tear, may St.Nikhon bless). After Murray, the list of proven pass-catching commodities is thin; and one could dare to type that there is a drop-off of sorts after parttime career starter and thus far oversold all-World Keith Gavin (6′3″, 213 lb. Jr.). Though do mind the (r-Fresh) Tamorrion Terry store, as he is quite possibly the fastest Wr on the field for either team. And at 6′5″, and right at 204 lbs. on the edge? That much size + that much speed = a match-up nightmare for most. Though do file aways this little factoid… as the F.s.u. traditional grab gang (Wr’s + Te’s did not exceed a 63% catch-rate in 2017, as their favorite candy bar is butterfingers indeed).

    Big man who runs even bigger.
  • O overall: Taggart’s offense is a run-heavy scheme that will mix in the zone read and jet sweeps while featuring wide splits for offensive linemen. The passing game features a lot of screens as well as deep shots down the field. In general, the offense tends to go up-tempo, which will be a new look for the Seminoles after playing at a snail’s pace last season. The offense tends to feature a number of bodies as well; as playing-time is liberally available due to blue-state or CNN -esque substitution policies to help keep everyone fresh and gamey here. From what I can Oregon film-study and F.s.u. spring-game gleam… this ‘Nole so-called: “Gulf Coast O” is indeed machining Pro style parts into a stretchy looking zone-blocking truly spread out offensive set. That’s the news… the bad news for us is that Taggart and Co. kinda went year no.1 Coach Fu’. In that, they have inherited several very keen, distinctly handsome and specifically well-hewn R.P.O. type fits in their 2018 cadre of skill-position players. Spread set high school savvy ballers that formerly lined-up Pro’ set @F.s.u. As coach W.Bell has demonstrative inside power fits at his ground game disposal and he likewise has a lucrative edge to outside zone-stretch fit at his leisure. Alike, both, mutually— or to put it another way, this is one dang tough O to run game key or to “take something away” from as Bud Bðck typically loves to run-fit do. An uno-dimensional offensive set this just ain’t folks, and one could be forgiven for opining that the 5th quarter of the Camping Bowl kicks off at just past eight postmeridian on Labor Day night. And you just know that this Seminole go unit is gonna wanna test all that O&M green-wood right down the Hokie defensive middle with a handful of thoroughbred pass-catchers, A.S.A.P.; if not, sooner.

    Base O:
  • ∑ (summary): (CAVEAT: film-study was drawn from Oregon 2017 footage)… so, best that my Eye can spy… this looks like a pretty modern era Spread set, shotgun O that will go 3-4 wide often enough. It will flash Will (wide-side) trips, and a lotta single-back sets to boot. Will motion pre-snap, using the same as a crossbuck or scissoring pre-fab turnkey look. At times there is an offset H-back/Te hybrid; with a lotta pure 2-3 Flanker looks (i.e. not many Se’s live here). Lottsa play-action, countering sets, as the first movement may or may not be the main movement and the Qb will backside ½-roll behind that. Almost like B.Dooley’s passing look got all 2018 social-media tricked-out. “Lethal simplicity” gone today’s latest jumped-up I-phone if you will. Though you had best mind your backside store, as this O is designed to get you to chase the initial ball inflection, and then cut-back against your over-pursued grain with easy made influence blocking. Will mix in some Pistol sets, with a lotta stretch-zoning and Off-tackle calls accordingly; and most runs are inside the Ot-box. Does hit you with quicker than average play-cycles, is not a deep throw offense per se; with a lotta angular routing to it; with a sit-down sideline medium-out look as well. Has more Left-Coast or quick to medium hitting patterning inherit to its passing tree. This offense really does have a lotta 5-15 yards downfield elasticity to it; not quite a power hitting O; though there are a lotta good wood contacts and singles, doubles and triples to be bagged here. CONCLUSION(s): gonna be a slick O once it does click; even if that takes a minute or three. Am really wondering how well our rookie hind-7 guys do staying home and playing Single-gap assignment football vs. this much countering/misdirection in their debut games’?
  • 69% run:pass 31% mix.

Offensive letter-grade:

Noles Special Teams: (both return)

Logan Tyler (6′, 192 lb. (looks bigger) Jr.) was 87th in Net Punting last year and he was also on the A.c.c. all-Academic Team; FSU.edu props insert here (_____), check! Ty’ is also on the 2018 pre-season Ray Guy Award watch list and he is said to be a good punter, with a great leg; who is south of good at times with regard to the word: consistency. In point of fact, Logan is the only Punter I’ve ever read a scouting report on that says he fields no less than “a dominant” leg. Dangnation, as Logan -who has a history of dings and dents- can kick it from Tally to Orlando, even if it might land in the Atlantic or Caribbean drink; on either side I mean. As a directional punter goes Logan just ain’t; nevertheless, he can boom the rock as evidenced by his career long of 71 and he was second in the A.c.c. with a whopping 21 punts >51 yards last year. And if Logan ever uploads some targeting software downstairs into his toes, he’s  Pro punter indeed; and he will make any Sunday roster +½ as he is a KO specialist per his fusillade 91 yard KO career max’ leg; wow! L.T. was also a high school Qb and Rb so trickeration is in the mix Monday night. And the tape measure at the N.f.l. Combine is gonna love his LEFT leg— and do look for some muffs here unless we practice catching CCW (counterclockwise) punts this week.

  • 55th in Punt Returns | tho’ 18th in KO returns.
  • 115th best in punt coverage | 65th and in suicide-squad.
  • F.s.u. had blocked a staggering 6 that’s s, i, x, kicks and allowed 2 kicks to be blocked.
  • F.s.u. had blocked 2 punts and allowed 1 punt to be blocked.

K, Ricky Aguayo (6′2″, 204 lb. Jr.) is merely the 1st-string all-A.c.c. pre-season K and very likely the best FG-K in Mexico proper. Yes, they are related as older bro’ is only statistically the most accurate Kicker in Atlantic Coast history; that’s all; no biggie. As yah; Ricks prolly does have some K.Kong sized kicking shoe(s) to fill here. Ricky, however, was a nifty 18 of 21 last year or a none too shabby 86% on is 2017 FGA’s. And yes, a lotta D-1 teams wish they had 14% of his problems. 98% career on PAT’s and an FG-made long of 51 yards and Aguayo was only ranked the #3 K in national scholastic terms three seasons ago. Aguayo’s range appears to be right at high 40’s to lowercase 50’s with very good yet not quite bionic leg strength overall. Which ain’t half bad work from your walk-on K, if you can get it.

Wr D.J. Matthews is pretty much a feast or famine punt-returner, he fair-catches, he voyeuristically watches and lets it roll or: “…there goes that man.”

3 different KO returners live here, one has one career KO TD return, the other two are said to have T&F 100m quality raw speed. Nevertheless, the ‘nole KO return guys -same as on punt returns- have a feast or famine vibe to ’em.

Special Teams letter-gradeA— to highest possible B+++ fence, as there is leg-talent all over out in the western Florida panhandle here; just wants for consistency, from time-to-time.

Unit Rankings:

  1. FSU D/VT D (tie).
  2. FSU O.
  3. VT O. (almost tied for 2nd)

X-factor(s):

  • motive: home-field, a brand new, new car scent big whistle— yes, this game means a lot lot to the Hokies, although it prolly means a scosche more to the homesteading ‘Noles. EDGE=F.s.u.
  • weather: there is a chance of rain in play here, ask weather.com late Labor Day afternoon to be sure. Though rain might just help our more ensconced/beefier oLine a smidge.
  • health/off-field: Both teams had a beat-up looking 2017 and have several key starters that really do need some summertime health. Hill will play, and it does look like VT might be a little bit healthier or at least a bit more depth chart settled down. EDGE=VT (small).
  • penalties: Gotta favor V.Tech here with newbie O & D schemes down @Tally and whatever F.s.u. kinks that need to be Seminole worked out. EDGE=VT
  • intangibles: (tho’ 1o1st in all important Turnover Margin last year was not a good F.State look). EDGE=VT.
  • fatigue: N/A.

R.A.T.T.: ...right now, in early July, the smart $$$ says... what???

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Illation, conclusion(s) and OPT digits:

Number of Seminoles who could start @Tech=13

the takeaway:

The takeaway here is… that this one is gonna be a tough one to win and yah; I know; rain is still rumored to be… wet.

True dat, and yet I gotta tell yah; I do like our d-Line matching up with the retooled and hurting/suspended Seminole oLine upfront down in the trenches. One could dare to assonance that this is our one true or seminal lifeline down at Tally.

However, one could further authour that unless Joshua Jackson is at —and necessarily for 60 minutes remains at- 1,000% full w.v.u. speed for the duration, that the fast-twitch of any F.S.U. halt-unit that is basically a recruiting constellation as star-power goes… is just too much for the heady, likable, though south of 220v of industrial or Power Conference elite ampere capacity Jackson. As the Summa Cum Laude player-coach or Rolex game-manager himself plays a 110v game via any and all testing and S&C definition. And honestly, will that really be enough juice to “burst” all amped up F.S.U.’s bubble on the road, at night, on national telly?

***

Fret not Hokies, as it actually could be, although Wiles front-line needs to have its scrumming best 2018 apex game, ditto we must finish positive in Turnover Margin (+2 give/take) and we must win all the little-hidden yardage battles. Or basically, we must beat a different version of hateful w.v.u. to open the year again, game no.1, twice. That’s not umpossible, technically speaking, nevertheless, it is dishonest to say that I favor our beloved Hokies here upon the June/July preseason boundary. I do however give us about a 1 in 3 shot to pull the upset— as we surely are catching Florida State and newbie coach Taggart at just the right time; in the 1-hole, and before any real legitimate tinkering/puttering and/or any real live Seminole improvement(s) begin to take.

Tag‘! You’re, it!”

And to be quite frank, how many visiting teams even have a 33% shot when warning down in Doak Campbell Stadium in historical terms?


permutations:

  1. Δ1=65% (the early lean for me is that the A.c.c. Big-3 are just too dynamic for the mentally superior yet physically adequate+ Joshua Jackson. The ‘Noles (eventually) get to or get at JAX and corporal punishment style roughs him up to win by 1.5 to 2 full scores on smash metrics alone).
  2. Δ2=25% (that being realistically said… if/when Wiles boys can bust contain on a spurious looking F.s.u. offensive front-line; once we notch a positive turnover margin and maybe just maybe the (Τ) or the Tao of coach Shibest on special-teams is due to Clemson Florida State)… Vee Tee scoreboard sneaks one while being mathematically outgained in the Box Score.
  3. Δ3=10% (if anything, one might rightfully argue that the calculus of this variable is too low; nevertheless; with this much graduation, eligibility, off-field and coaching staff turnover combined… plus off-season and likely upcoming pre-season hurt(s) to each Atlantic Coast Club… Whiskey Tango Helen knows? This game could swing-vote 1 to 2 full plays either way at any moment; on any given play… trust me and Coach Mulder, there are a lotta X-factors in play here folks).

the skinny

Today’s (other) Word of the day is… Primae Noctis.

(Latin phrase, circa: medieval Europe)

  1. lord’s right.
  2. The rite of the first night.
  3.  A legal right within medieval Europe, allowing feudal lords to have sexual relations with subordinate women, in particular, on their wedding nights.
  4. Virginia Tech beds Florida State???

Honestly? And even though I am no carpenter by trade, we all know that lying is for… rugs. So honestly? Well at first back in July I honestly had F.s.u. winning by a couple of scores and/or possibly even doubling us up.

30-15 was my likely tally down @Tally for Labor Day night. As the ‘Noles, Clemson, Miami and prolly Notre Dame’s defensive speed, are primarily bad Joshua Jackson metric match-ups just begging to happen. And whether the Jackson apologists among you wanted to read that or not, you do not want any smoke with the stopwatch or the game-tape; because “yes”, that’s exactly what time it is.

Yea! Yea! And you know that!

However, nighttime is the right time and I have nothing short of “improving” and bettering O&M August camp insider reports with no major Hokie hurts on my hands.

And that docile caucasian noise you hear in the background is the Virginia Tech @Florida State gap, constricting. It is subtle, it is understated, it is an undercurrent and not a riptide. Nonetheless, with Florida State still oLine sorting things out, we are gaining on them as I type. That likewise narrows my gap to F.s.u. by 1.5 or maybe even closer F.s.u. by one full play singular.

And you just never know how much coaching (the verb) might just mean in a single play game. If you doubt the overlord wedding night virility of that statement; just ask the coaching clinic we all called the Virginia Tech vs. Clemson conference championship game-tape. As Atlantic Coast Coaching lives here— man’s game, son!

Though will that R.A.T.T. be, enough …?

the call… (TBD)

So, and as you can obviously read/discern, moving vertically through this preview, north to south or descending chronologically up above… our realistic all the time odds to win are feeling less pain since I published part I of this preview back in July.

The F.s.u. o-Line is still in flux; possibly even fluxed up. Seminole camp reports seem to connote that the second layer F.s.u. Linebackers may have borrowed a page from the F.s.u. oLine. You gotta think Fu’ and special-teams wizard coach Shibest empty the O&M playbook clip here. And you have to wonder if the newly installed Seminole O might experience some 1-hole wetting the teepee nocturnal moments. As nobody else in 2018 is catching Florida State at a better time— nobody!

Nonetheless, will even all of that cumulatively prove to ultimately be enough come; midnight on Labor Day?

  •  Sophomore F.s.u. Rb, Cam Akers told reporters of the Seminoles’ offense: “A lot of weapons, a lot of big plays, a lot of touchdowns, and a lot of points. That’s all you can expect.
  • The two coaches and former Qb1’s met on the field in 1998 as Fuente’s Murray State edged Taggart’s Western Kentucky 36-31.
  • Florida State leads the all-time series 23-12-1, including 13-5 at home.
  • The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds lightjust as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.’ Victor Hugo —
  • Tag’ coach-Fu’, you’re it!
So, I did all I could do to find (a credible) way to pick #VTough in the upset here…
Then when I was leaving for a 3o4 game trail run -on which I drank rhododendron petal, forest bathing, real live 3o4 rainwater “bear” Grylls style just to fuel the old brain-box up with some high octane podank run-off fuel- I literally heard the words of Admiral Cain echoing in my head as I went out the back door for the same…

When faced with untenable alternatives you should consider your imperative.”
-Admiral Cain, Battlestar Pegasus-

As Joshua Jackson and his lack of “twitch” that the got bagged Jackson Genome Project article objectively proved… is at a prime mover imperative Monday night to outdo 11 guys who all pack more “burst”. As an r-Soph.? I doubt it. As an r-Jr.? Maybe… As an r-Sr.? Hopefully…

At least once anywho vs. the Atlantic Coast recruiting constellation class starships otherwise known as: Miami, Florida State, and Clemson. Hopefully, by then JAX’s surrounding supporting cast has enough metrics to cover what a now somewhat more top-heavy JAX simply does not— and will not ever have. Namely, electrifying and/or game-changing single shot physical attributes to bang any BIG-name heretofore celibate teams and give a prudish Florida State, or the like, a truly big ole seminal moment indeed.

Though honestly, methinks that’s a preview for 2020 give/take…

As the 2018 R.A.T.T. opening optics are a little shy -if not Eye poked- on that just yet…

And If there is such as thing as a good L this is prolly it; as V.Tech balls long and hard and comes up just a little short in the darkness as F.s.u. clapsback in the end…
upset Index=’bout 4 in 10

(odds): Virginia Tech=19, Florida State=33

#wimps!

LETS GO!

HOKIES!

bourbonstreet**

 

 

 

44 Responses You are logged in as Test

        1. Seize the high road, first.
          (…attack downhill)

          b.street

    1. If he was a journalist, you might have a point.

      It’s also terrible origami and car repair.

      1. He cannot write a complete sentence. Too cool for school. Unreadable.

      1. “hi!”

        7-5-7 Haiku, hopped up on too much, Sapporo.
        ; )

        b.street

  1. Hopefully Josh will be able to calculate where to go with the football just a bit quicker this year with his knowledge of the offense in Year 2. This way he can pace himself during the FSU game. I would like to see him pick his moments when running with the ball and try to avoid hits when he is rolling out and FSU is coming full speed toward him.

    1. I’d have to think so Orlando.

      Can’t be any slower for a pretty smart kid.

      I just hope they find him some kids to surround him with who have what he lacks… “twitch”, “burst”, call it what you will. Though that is when you will finally see just how sharp he (JAX) truly is.
      …………………………..
      Agry.

      And he has to run “smart” as to when where and how far to run vs. the A.c.c. big-3.
      And honestly? I would not waste his runs -as much as I could-
      vs. the other 9 teams, we play.

      b.street

  2. So – here’s a mental exercise:

    Would you rather
    Win vs FSU and lose our last game of the season (UVA or Bowl cause it could be either)

    OR

    Lose vs FSU and win our last game of the season – same conditions apply – because if they do really rough up JJ worse than UM in either scenario, the whole season could shift dramatically.

    1. beat hooVa.

      That’s too easy.
      -Will Stewart, can’t jump-

      NO way in the world I wanna even consider seeing the uva streak bust.
      And the Bowl=??? ‘pends where and how hard we, slot?

      b.street

  3. I’m not a gambler but I thought FSU-6 and VT+6 were the same thing or I am misreading the poll?

    1. Not exactly…

      Would you rather subtract six points from the final score of F.s.u.?
      Or would you rather add six points to the final score of V.P.I.?

      (and then see who won the bet, which may or may not be the same as who won the game)

      HTH’s
      b.street

  4. Grate article B. My head says F$U, but the heart always says Fu. One picky point, we’re in the Coastal. Have a happy and safe 4th my good Hokie.

    1. Thank you!

      Where did I screw that up?
      (missed it, again)——>bstreet

      1. My fault B. You said two Atlantic coast teams. Sometimes my eyes don’t reach all the way to my brain. Keep up all the good work.

        1. Oh it may have been me… keep checking me, keeping
          me straight.

          thx!
          b.street

  5. Fix the house on Mt. View or tear it down. You are killing the property value. rodham (just kidding).

  6. I’m hoping coach Fu’s ability to tweak an offense (and I think he’s one of the best at it) offsets some of the scheme match-up problems.

    1. Hope so too.

      Though how/what does he tinker with?

      FSU is missing a Safety, couple of Lb’s… and can you protect long enough to take shots at that?

      dunno,
      b.street

  7. B, excellent thought process. F State has the necessary parts, however you didn’t mention what Coach Fu may have in store to surprise FSU. Me thinks he has hatched a scheme along with In Bud We Trust to make this a nail biter in North Florida,South Georgia.

    1. …maybe… though what/how does he out-scheme F.s.u. here?

      As our biggest scheme might just be (hopefully) all their new car scent misQ’s.
      And special teams.

      b.street

  8. Am concerned about “Big Game Promos” on TV, as that has usually resulted in a Hokie loss the past ten-ish years. Sure would like to see VT win a big national game. Not sure my ol’ heart can take another loss. The Boise State and Michigan games (as an example) left deep scar tissue. Also, the woodshed beat-downs by UC Berkeley and Stanford in bowl games were gruesome. Sure hope we can shed the title of high-profile losers. Wish I could be more hopeful. AH

    1. w.v.u. on the National State last year was a pretty big game take.
      So was @OH.State.

      We’ve snuck a few name teams here and there.
      I’d rate it as about what we could take; not too high not too low; alike.

      b.street

      1. No way the wva team/game is anywhere near par with OSU, SOCAL, UM, Boise , Alabama.
        We choked in those games (except the Alabama series) and could/should have stolen a share of them (OSU excepted); your disdain for the cuzzins (which I share) blinds your perception of how they are viewed nationally.

        1. WHAT?!?

          We -good Sir- we beat; even upset; will “namath” grier!!!
          JeanThang’s man.
          Her main man at that!

          Dood has hair that won’t stop; as well.

          b.street

  9. The Hokies should have a chance to run the ball. If Bud can stop the run and get some turnovers….that is how you win on the road.

    1. Maaaaaybe… maybe on the edges?
      De looks thinner to me than Dt.

      Tough that’s a very relative statement here as well.

      b.street

    1. Did the mouse hover not work?

      Did when I tested it.
      Though which browser is this?
      (hold it a second or three to for the alt.text to appear)

      b.street

  10. Mochas Gracias for the opportunity to step away from the grind today, as that’s the type of pick me up we all need….

    Hmmmmm battle of the former Div II QB Coaches… whilst Willy T was handing off and tossing deep the Oklahoma kid spun his ball to the Arena League. And o what a difference that is…Willy’s all about the big play swing for the uptempo fences featuring some combo of those 3 titan RBs while QB Frenchy will be spinning it deep.

    But as the bell strikes Midnight don’t be surprised when TE Hokies are all smiles boarding Hokies Flight 1-0 back to Bkburg.
    How so…..just look for the former Arena QB to wear down that Seminole D playing sideline to sideline and due to greediness by Willy T will be on the field longer than ever. As the tongues start to hang so too will Coach Fuentes crossing routes…ultimately busting a few long ones for multiple TD..

    So when the dust settles on the Tarmac of Hokies Flight 1-0, look for Coach Hilgart to carry his much earned game ball as he wins this baby during the summer as we see the emergence 4-44-6. Maybe the greatest LB crew ever in Hokie History.

    Of course I’m now saying who’s spinning that ball down the field for VT…

    Let’s Go…HHokies!!!
    Beat F$U!!

    1. Which Qb wears them down, now?

      I doubt it is decent though not quite accelerating JAX.
      Now Hooker might could… and he might could hold on to the ball; too.
      (or not)

      b.street

  11. unfortunately, F$U has a capable D. Did not auger well last year when VT confronted with a real D.
    You are right, over the top capable will be the game changer. If not, than not optimistic.

    1. Yah; need to loosen them up; and off the line-of-scrimmage.
      If they get to crowd that?

      That will make poor JAX look slower than he really is.
      Might get him, killed; too.
      : (

      b.street

  12. CJ F will outcoach FSU, will that be enough to pull upset? Not sure. Game likely decided by TOs

    1. Not umpossible.

      Is coach Tag’s another all supped up racy Ron Zook+++???
      Could be, time will tell.

      I know he’s a helluva a recruiter, a rook, and ace thereof; though where is he as a big-time game-day coach when the chips get big-n-blue? Dunno…

      b.street

  13. Once I figure out what you’re saying I enjoy your Schtick.
    Who are the 2-4 starters you refer to that may be out for the game?
    Happy 2018-07-04!!

    1. ha-ha, yah I was wondering… (if I’d catch this ask); mum’s the word for the moment, Sir.

      (at least 1; possibly 2 are 100% unknown/unpublished– and when I give my word… I give my word. or nobody I give it to will ever give me the “word”… again)

      (though this looks more defensive as these offenses; go)
      : (

      b.street

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