Beating Miami brought the Hokies one step closer to a BCS bowl and the ability to cross the most important goal off the list. Though the Hokies were in a nice position by which they had to only win one game against Miami OR Virginia, they kept their winning streak going and shined on national television against a ranked opponent and tough rival.

I will admit I was worried about the Miami game well before the season began and I really never felt comfortable until Williams rumbled through the secondary for his 80+ yard TD run (which of course just encourages Stinespring to try that play a million more times this season).

The Hokies did exactly what Gameday analysts said would ensure a Hokies win - cause turnovers - and they caused a lot (6). It felt like old Hokie football that we know and love. But we also got a quick glimpse of the potential future of Hokie football in the form of Logan Thomaswho came out without any warm up and delivered a pass on 3rd and very long after Tyrod came out with an injury.

The last game of the regular season against UVA has been announced as a noon kickoff, its a game that the Hokies should handle down in Blacksburg but of course the rivalry games are always difficult to predict. The Hokies would lock up a 10 win season and complete the regular season ACC sweep, so there is more than just protecting a rank on the line and I believe and trust that Tyrod’s appetite for winning will remain rabid.

Here’s to crossing another one off the list.

With eyes on the prize the Hokies finally swatted away the pesky Yellow Jackets after a nervous Thursday Night down in Blacksburg (fight song still in my head) and took care of Yates and the Tar Heels on Saturday. Now the Hokies need one win between Miami and UVA to stamp a ticket to Hell on Earth, Florida Jacksonville Charlotte and the ACC Championship game.

Going back two wins, the Hokie fans rushed the field after the Georgia Tech game and people moaned about it. But it was a great slump buster for the Hokies - who have lost every game coming of the bye week for 4 straight seasons. Plus, if history in the ACC tells us anything it is the winner of the VT/GT game always ends up with the ACC championship trophy at the end of the season. So go ahead and celebrate you drunk assholes statistics tell us you were just starting the party early for the ACC crown.

And of course after beating UNC it looks like we are in full control playing out the season against Miami and EwwwwVeeeeAaa. Needless to say, all of this is a great turn of events from where the season began: to be in control of our own destiny after it appeared that the only destiny we had control over was adspace for ESPN’s new GOAL LINE channel. And honestly, you’d think ESPN would at least block out that particular banner ad on the Hokies Football Clubhouse page… I know I’d rather see ads covered in bouncing babies with cleft lips that yells out in a loud female voice “CONGRATULATIONS! You have just been awarded 900 new iPads”  flashing in and out of red and blue bold text than be constantly reminded of that miserable day back in September while I’m sitting in front of my computer.

And although now is not the time to get on a soap box and rant about scheduling a FCS in-state rivalry game less than 5 days after your season opener against one of the toughest and most-hyped teams in the nation, it is still worth reflecting upon. So whether the scheduling snafu blame lies with Jim Weaver, Frank Beamer, Dan Snyder or someone else I will wait to explore in a later post after the season ends. But I digress - what I wanted to say is that I do recall that after the first week  the Hokies were 0-1 and yet they were still ranked a respectable #13 in the nation. Putting that abortion of a week two game to the side and assuming for a second that the shitstain JMU alumni you work with never got to enjoy their greatest night of their lives ever - inside of Ballston Common Mall - the Hokies would now be sitting right behind the last 4 remaining undefeated teams in the country - either as #5 or maybe #6 behind Wisconsin. The nation would also be a buzz about a #2 Boise State who would have a much higher rank in the BCS with a quality win over the nation’s fifth highest ranked team.

Despite getting kicked from the rankings in week three, the Hokies have crawled Andy Dufresne style through the remainder of their schedule and find themselves just one slot behind where they were at week two. Now it is up to these last 2 (hopefully 3) games of the season before the bowls begin for the Hokies to look back on how far they have come and press on to the finish line - even if its just the Orange Bowl against an unranked 6-loss Pittsburgh (EDIT: I.H. points out that Orange doesn’t have the last draw for the BCS this year so whatever turd log floats out of the Big East conference this season will get shipped in a flaming paper bag to the Fiesta Bowl - thankfully.)

Here’s to crossing another one off the list.

Just in case people are getting excited about the Hokies rebound in 2010, make sure you keep things in perspective…

Stinespring is still horrible. Stinespring is still predictable. Stinespring is still a major reason why we have two loses.

Not that firebryanstinespring.com has forgotten this (nice redesign btw) but Bleacher Report is hosting a great piece on the woes of Stinespring and does a nice job of showing that even the Hokies last 6 wins came under direction of terrible coaching by Stinespring.

Every Hokie fan should at least read the article - I’ll leave it up to you whether you want to accept the fact we need to fire/reassign our OC even if our offense ranks in the top 20. Demand more, demand more, demand more otherwise don’t come crying after our 2011 opener against Appalachian State.

Cross another one off the list - the Hokies are now bowl eligible. Joining Florida State as the only 6-win team in the ACC, the Hokies did a great job shutting down Duke on Saturday. It was an important win before the Hokies tough 3 game stretch against Georgia Tech, UNC and Miami.

The long pass threat was contained and with the exception of a second half onside kick that caught the special teams off guard, all sides of the ball played very well. Tyrod continued his excellent season reminding us that we should have been talking more about him in the off season and rather than drooling over what looked to be a super potent running game.  I’ll leave the compliments of Tyrod’s gameplay to Duke’s David Cutcliffe: “It all starts with Taylor. You give him opportunities and he’s going to make the most of them. I don’t see a college quarterback playing any better in the country. Period. He might be the best dual-threat quarterback in the country. He might be the best quarterback in the country. He made some throws that were unbelievable.”

The 44 points marked the 4th consecutive 40+ point game for the Hokies, a record, and a source of momentum leading from the bye week in to Georgia Tech’s Thursday night game down in Blacksburg, a game that we hope Bud Foster has prepared well for following last year’s loss.

Here’s to crossing another one off the list.

That is all.

(ESPN likes VT too)

Getting a personal look at the new Blacksburg Chipotle was surreal yet comforting. Opening a Chipotle was something that clearly needed to happen in downtown Blacksburg, and people have been barking about it for years. Nothing about the eleven day old store felt novel and plenty of burrito veterans packed out the restaurant in the middle of the day.

Taking a closer look… Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Blacksburg Chipotle is the outdoor back patio which leads down to the metered parking lot behind the restaurant.

Through the non-descriptive back patio seating you find yourself down a short hallway which offers bathrooms (sure to be handy at 9:50pm on on the weekend) and two large booths cut in to the side of the wall in a “nooked out” area that looks like it may have been a last second stroke of brilliance to add more seating. Once inside the seating takes on the bench bars with high stools we first saw at Dulles Airport.

I am happy to report that the beer fridge was stocked - so it won’t be a lengthy “Permit Pending” situation for alcohol sales as we have seen at other Chipotle locations (perhaps due in part this location’s lengthy construction delays allowing for the paperwork to go through). In typical Chipotle fashion, the ordering line wraps around the far wall before snaking back along large glass windows that currently look out on a rather dismal gravel construction area. It looks like the parking and service road has been leveled out somewhat and the parking area will finally make good use of the space while making it less treacherous for pedestrians.

Back outside the “Grande Opening” sign still boasts the “incoming” date of October 5 - a day that will leave in infamy for Chipotle loving Hokies. Finally, the remainder of the building has been redeveloped to allow for a number of new loft apartments. For those of you who have always wanted to live the dream of smelling burritos all day and expending only 10 calories to get your Chipotle, they are still taking deposits…

Thank you again Chipotle… but… I told you so.

Read about the history of the Blacksburg Chipotle:

• Chipotle, Welcome to Blacksburg, 10/5/10
• A New Date For Blacksburg Chipotle, 9/11/10
• Blacksburg Chipotle Still on its Way, 6/8/10
• Blacksburg Chipotle Delays, 1/14/10
• The Dulles Chipotle Breakfast Options 8/23/09

The Hokies found a way to climb back in to the rankings by powering back to a #23 spot in the Coaches and AP polls. Granted its not something to brag about all around the FBS block, but as far as the ACC and other 2 loss teams are concerned its a great feat to have accomplished after losing two games in less than six days to start the season.

On a sunny Homecoming Saturday, the Hokies scored 49 points in the first half against Wake Forest to tie a one-half scoring record under Frank Beamer’s tenure. Defensively the Hokies let up a few 70+ yard plays which is isn’t comforting but not uncommon to the style of play for Wake Forest who employs the triple option. It hopefully will give some insight to the Hokies, who had a tough time against Georgia Tech last year when similar play-calling pushed the defense around the field.

(Have fun going to 49 kiddies)

The first quarter alone seemed to last as long as the 2002 Syracuse game and the second quarter ended when other 3:30 games were well in to their third quarter - but with VT scoring on all but one possession of the first half who was to complain? Even after the second strings went in during the third quarter the cameras caught Tyrod Taylor pleading with coaches for another shot -which he briefly received - in part settle a bet with Danny Coale that he could rush for more yards running on his hands than Tony Gregory would get in the forth quarter. Chris Hazley also continued his perfection at kicker since missing a couple in the first game of the year.

With Duke on tap next the Hokies need to take a deep breath and prepare for the daunting closing stretch which pits the Hokies against UNC, Georgia Tech, and Miami. If they keep on this pace they should be feeling confident of their ability to pick up more conference wins and continue to strive to make 2010 a season to be proud of despite coming out of the gate flat.So here’s to a celebration for crossing another one off the list. Let’s keep it going boys. Perhaps, Jim Grobe said it best when referring to the Hokies after losing to the team 52-21 “They’re hitting their stride and really playing good football now.”

Tyrod Taylor provided the Hokies with 288 yards of offense in the 45-21 win  over Central Michigan. He ran for 127 yards perhaps best highlighted by his 15 yard TD run in which Central Michigan players appeared to bounce off him. It was the sixth 100-yard rushing game of Tyrod’s VT career - meaning he now has more 100+ yard rushing games than Michael Vick… impressive.

Frustratingly, the team didn’t convert on a single third down - despite their ability to score 38 unanswered points - and a few too many long passes made it past the defense’s secondary. Such game notes are not the most reassuring when you consider the team is playing what may be the worst directional Michigan in the MAC. Still, it seemed like the team was playing more hungry this week as they continue to mold back to a lofty preseason-projected form. Even our Left Gaurd kept playing after he lost part of his finger in the game, which was floating around inside of his glove until trainers extracted it to sew it on after the third quarter.

Heading in to Homecoming weekend against Wake Forest let’s just keep working through the conference and hopefully toward crossing another one off the list.

The perfect marriage is finally complete… in less than 15 minutes the doors to the Blacksburg Chipotle will open, forever changing the food options of the town and campus while providing much needed burrito bliss to the New River Valley.

Despite some (crazy) speculation of how well a second nationwide Burrito joint will perform just up the street from the four year old Moe’s burrito joint, it is clear that Chipotle fanatics are down in Blacksburg ready to recruit an army of hungry Hokies. Dewey Nelson, today’s hero and scholar, has been camping out along with a handful of other fans in front of the new Main Street location which once housed Joe’s Barber and Stylist salon. They await patiently in hopes of being the location’s first customers this morning but of course many of us have been waiting many many years for this day to come.

I was crushed to find out that Charlottesville would be getting a Chipotle in advance of Blacksburg, and further miffed when I sent Chipotle Corporate a digital image of the old Crossroads storefront encouraging a Chipotle to move-in ASAP only to have it fall in to the hands of lowly Moe’s. But, with enough encouragement from Facebook groups, Northern Virginia Chipotle fans, and the undeniable truth that there is money in ‘dem there hills, Chipotle clearly has wised up. The new location is fairly isolated to other Chipotles so I do applaud them taking on all the new logistical hurdles and costs likely associated with such a remote store front. Five Guys made a similar move to Blacksburg almost six years ago and it has been a success ever since. Given what anticipation has been leading up to the grand opening I believe the Blacksburg Chipotle will be a beacon of success for the company (if anyone at Chipotle is reading this - why not test out the Dulles Airport Breakfast model in Blacksburg also!).

Though I can’t be like Mr. Nelson, I will be making my first trip to the B.B. C. next weekend to have what could quite possibly be my 1872nd burrito - I gave up count long ago - but I’ll just pretend for VT’s sake. Viva la Chipotle!

UPDATE 10/5/10 3PM: Reports via Twitter and Roanoke Times say the line is 100 customers deep and the wait is between 60 and 90 minutes for a burrito.

UPDATE 10/5/10 5PM: One question has been answered - Blacksburg Chipotle WILL serve alcohol (though currently they do not have any alcoholic beverages on display). Additionally the venue features the new sheet metal high top bar tables we have been seeing at new and remodeled locations. The weather has improved and the length of the line is still down the block as lunch shifts to dinner.

Read about the history of the Blacksburg Chipotle:

• A New Date For Blacksburg Chipotle, 9/11/10
• Blacksburg Chipotle Still on its Way, 6/8/10
• Blacksburg Chipotle Delays, 1/14/10
• The Dulles Chipotle Breakfast Options 8/23/09

Maybe we just like to come back from 17 point deficits. Down 17-0 it didn’t seem that such a comeback would represent the biggest comeback WIN for the Hokies under Beamer but it was - heck we came back on Boise State down the same score but then again we didn’t leave with the W there.

The running was great (Tyrod’s 71 yard sprint, Wilson’s 92 yard TD, and Evans’ 160 total yards some shining examples) but the Hokies defense gave up 500+ yards to the Wolfpack - almost twice what Alabama racked up against Florida later in the day - so there does need to be some quiet reflection for Bud Foster and friends.

Without looking back for regrets we can be excited to cross another one of the list. Even at #23 a ranked team is a ranked team and gets the Hokies one step closer to whatever it is a team hopes to achieve in a season that you lose to JMU.

With a non-conference breather next week the Hokies will look toward Homecoming against Wake Forest and crossing another one off the list…

As for now, I am watching Donovan McNabb play as the quarterback for the Redskins against the Eagles, who has Michael Vick behind center. Had you gone in to a coma 2 years ago and only awoken today October 3, 2010, THIS would be the most alarming and unexpected change that you would have to process.