drmathprog

Don't kid yourself, VT has a great QB and a stable of running backs that will shoulder this loss. This is the kind of program that can absorb a tough loss like this. Last year VT's offense was pretty young and inexperienced and still managed to take care of business in Lincoln, even after losing Ore. I doubt they'll even be impacted this year either. They just get it done. But, it's still a shame for this kid and I hope he heals well and comes back stronger for next year. I agree except for the part about Brandon Ore. His last and biggest contribution was addition by subtraction.

I know, right!? NU plays them the week after LSU. Maybe they figure that after LSU, UL Lafayette won't have any healthy players left, hence NU will be playing the UL cheer leading squad, hence the "F".

offensive coordinator, but he'd be answering to nick satan. wats got a pay bump as an incentive to stay, but to be honest i wouldn't want to work in a nuthouse like alabama. Nick Saban couldn't possibly be as deceitful, self-serving and ego maniacal to work for as he appears to be via the media, could he?

If you visit Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, you'll have to look for the "deep-fried turkey leg guy". Probably not very healthy, but very yummy!!

It's regulation size in July. Once it freezes in August, however, it expands to be larger than regulation size.

I think every team that is bowl eligible should automatically be declared co-champion.

1962. I think you missed the bus.

With how Missouri played against Oklahoma State and subsequently other games it just seemed that once they beat Nebraska in Lincoln it was like that was the only goal that season. That, combined with their performance in the bowl game against Northwestern gave me the impression that as team Missouri tanked. Because let's be honest here, if Missouri, especially on offense, would have been focused like they were against Nebraska, they would've beaten Northwestern by 50+ points. JMO. Except for bowls with National Championship implications, I would discount bowl performances. Some coaches treat them as must-win games with the benefit of mucho preparation, while others treat the bowl experience as a reward to the players for a season well-played. IMHO, the second approach often leads to uncharacteristic loses from unprepared or under-prepared teams.

For every one of those examples, I can throw out others in the opposite vein such as USC, UT, OU, etc. Programs who were on top of the CFB world, stubbed their toes for quite awhile, and now have returned to a close fascimilie of their former selves. I didn't say there weren't counter examples, just that sometimes the end is the end.

It's hard to say. Auburn shared the National Championship in 1957. They haven't won one since. Syracuse won in 1959. They haven't won one since. Minnesota won Championships in 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941 (they were monsters in those days!) and 1960. They haven't won one since. My father (who attended NU in 1948-51) always marveled about the incredible turn around under Devaney, but in my NCAA football-aware lifetime (at least up till the Callahan era) NU was always on top. My brother, who graduated from NU in 1978, always thought that more than 2 loses was a disaster. And just as my father marveled at how fast NU went from Big 8 doormat to singular powerhouse, my brother marveled at how fast NU returned to mediocrity. One hopes better days are ahead, and we will shortly all be again marveling at how fast NU returned to the role of perennial Championship contender. But history teaches that sometimes the end of an era really is the end.

What are high schools in Nebraska running now? Here in Virginia, the overwhelming majority run the single or double wing, which is a throwback to the 30's and 40's (I think). That's one of the reasons UVa and VT have good success recruiting running backs and scrambling QBs,and also why they have trouble finding passing QBs.

I still marvel at the differences between '62 and '09: Offensive Lineman HT WT '62 Dennis Carlson 6-2 216 Louis Dillard 5-9 180 Ron Michka 6-0 203 John Dervin 6-1 194 James Brown 6-2 230 '09 Mike Smith 6-6 285 Keith Williams 6-5 305 Jacob Hickman 6-4 290 Matt Slauson 6-5 320 Lydon Murtha 6-7 315

In many ways it's too bad it got trumped by Red Sanders' "Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing".

And yes, VT had greater team speed than NU.

I think they keep score for a reason. That said, it would certainly make for a shorter game if it consisted of 25 2-player 40-yard foot-races. Award 1 point for each race won. LT vs. LT, QB vs. QB, punter vs. punter, kicker vs. kicker for the first 24 points, and then head coach vs. head coach as a tie breaker. That would solve the "team speed" question once and for all!

My money is on Mangino, Friedgen recently lost like 80lbs. He said his goal is to get to 250lbs, I think that is another 50lbs. Good for him; the last time I saw either one on the sidelong they looked to 400 lbs. or so. That can't be good in a high stress job.

Here is a question that has troubled me for some time: Who is more likely to suffer a heart attack on the sidelines during a tough game: KU's Mark Mangino or Maryland's Ralph Friedgen?

Those are still my favorite style of numerals on NU jerseys!

Different century, but still my favorite such stat, even though I had to suffer through it personally: U. S. Naval Academy Coach: Rick Forzano Seasons: 1969-1972 Record: 10-33 The punchline? After being fired by Navy, he is hired by the Detroit Lines! Detroit Lions Coach: Rick Forzano Seasons: 1974-1976 Record: 15-17 Some coaches were just born to lose.

When I mentioned slow starts, I was referring to recent seasons, specifically: 2008-2009 #17 VT @ unranked East Carolina (Southern Conference): 22-27 L unranked Furman (Southern Conference) @ unranked VT: 7-24 W 2007-2008 unranked East Carolina (Southern Conference) @ # 9 VT: 7-17 W #9 VT @ #2 LSU (Southeastern Conference): 7-48 L

I've seen several in the ACC. All they're used for is advertisements. I don't see the point.

One big issue with VT the last few years has been their slow starts. I suppose all good teams improve over the course of the season unless injuries get in the way. However, VT just doesn't seem ready to play well until the third or fourth game. That could be a factor with Nebraska. My daughter (a VT graduate as of last Saturday!) attended last year's game at Lincoln as the guest of my brother (a '76 NU grad.). She was struck by how much more gracious, friendly and sportsmanlike the NU fans are compared to VT fans.

My oldest son is named after two former Husker greats. His first name is Trev (Trev Alberts) and his middle name is Grant (Grant Wistrom). I'm glad you explained. When I first glanced at your post, I thought I read "two former Husker grapes". I was afraid you had unleashed upon an unsuspecting world "Gevertztraminer Champagne".

Maybe Yale was his backup school too!

Wow, you predict VT will score 31 against NU? Last year, VT only scored more than 30 once (OK, that was against NU). They didn't get that many even against Furman or Western Kentucky U.