Wednesday October 03, 2007

Man Up!

Man Up!
Normally on Wednesdays I write a preview of the upcoming opponent and write a little about their personnel, tendencies and their schemes. But Saturday is not about Virginia Tech, the Hokies’ personnel or its schemes. Instead, in my opinion, Saturday comes down to one thing: manhood.

Virginia Tech is not as talented this season and its offense is ranked last in the ACC because they have offensive line issues. But make no mistake about it, the Hokies will come into Death Valley and try to hit Clemson right in the mouth.

“Beamer Ball” means special teams to a lot of observers but I have always thought of “Beamer Ball” as hard-nosed ball. Virginia Tech has been one of the most physical teams in the country under Beamer. When things start going bad with your team or program you always need to return to your identity and Beamer’s teams’ identity is toughness.

Tech will come into Saturday’s game with a freshman quarterback in his first road game but the object will remain the same. They will try to come out and bend the opponents’ face masks.

Brandon Ore has not had a great season so far but the goal will be the same. Tech will try to push the Tigers around.

The Hokies have issue along their offensive line but the goal will be the same. Tech will challenge the Tigers’ manhood.

Simply stated, I think the tougher team will win the game Saturday evening. The more physical team will win the game. The team with the will to win can win Saturday.

Virginia Tech is a program built upon their identity. Beamer used the rural setting of their campus as a positive sell. He told recruits that the Hokies are the hard-working, blue collar program in their state while the University of Virginia was the white collar program. Who else uses a lunch pale as their rallying point?

Tech had dropped two straight ACC games last year heading into the Clemson game but the Hokies hit Clemson in the mouth in front of a hostile crowd in Blacksburg as Tech’s season was on the ropes. They were the underdog and Clemson was the hot team. But the home team came out and was more physical and thus took the fight to the stunned Tigers.

Now the roles are reversed. Clemson is the team that is licking its wounds.

Can Clemson come out and impose its will on Tech?

Can the Tigers be the aggressor? Can the Tigers outhit Tech?

In my opinion, both teams have issues. Virginia Tech has the lowest ranked offense in the league. Their offensive line has been a big disappointment. Brandon Ore has not had the kind of year we all expected. The Hokies dumped their returning starter at quarterback in favor of a true freshman. The defense has not been as stellar as some had thought in the pre-season. Tech has not looked like a pre-season top 10 team like many had predicted.

Clemson is coming off a pathetic offensive effort. The offensive line is still trying to find itself. The special teams have been awful. C.J. Spiller has not produced at the rate we thought he would.

Both teams have issues and must address them if they are to get their seasons back on track. But I think a lot of the questions about each team can be answered with a good ole fashioned, high intense effort. An old school physically dominant performance is what each team needs.

I have seen Tech come up with this type of intimidating efforts in years past. They obviously did it last year but we have witnessed this many times on the past. So can Clemson withstand the Hokies physical attack Saturday? Can the Tigers dish out the punishment too?

Maybe I put too much emphasis on the home field advantage but Tech’s crowd had a huge effect on last year’s contest and I think Death Valley can have the same effect this Saturday. Last year Clemson was using a first year starter at quarterback and the offense looked rattled once Tech got the crowd into the game. Can Tech’s first-year starter stand up to the Clemson crowd?

Tech defense out hit Clemson last year in Blacksburg. Can the Tigers defense return the favor Saturday?

Brandon Ore broke more tackles than any back in recent memory against a Clemson defense a year ago. Can James Davis and C.J. Spiller give the Hokies the same memory?

Maybe what I am asking is, “Can Clemson out Hokie the Hokies?” Can the Tigers play “Beamer Ball?”

Testosterone, “Saving Private Ryan” viewings and some good Lombardi speeches may be the menu of tailgaters this week. Get ready boys. Get ready to Man Up!

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