CFB Week 4: Hokies & Hoos look to rebound and a huge ACC matchup

After embarrassing performances last week, the Hokies and the Hoos look to rebound. Plus Saturday’s Clemson vs. FSU game is definitely one to watch!

September 20, 2012; 6:59 AM • by Ross Catrow

Last week saw both Virginia and Virginia Tech down 21 midway in the second quarter. Talk about suckfest. Let’s never speak of it again.

Here’s a couple notables from this past weekend that you may have missed:

• The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks almost knocked off their second straight SEC opponent. They took Auburn into overtime, lost the toss, and decided to go for a field goal–which they missed. Why did their head coach decide to take Colton Browning, their miracle producing, game winning QB, off the field? Dumb.
• Don’t look now, but crappy Notre Dame is 3-0 after beating #10 Michigan State at Michigan State. Let’s hope Michigan Regular puts them in their place this week.
• Upset: #21 Stanford over #2 USC, 21-14. Before this game I was not a Matt Barkley believer–this continues. I’ll tell you who I believe in, though: the Stanford secondary. Barkley’s completion percentage was crushed by defensive backs who were busy crushing receivers. Definitely the game of the week.

— ∮∮∮ —

Virginia Tech vs. Bowling Green

Saturday, September 22nd, 12:00 PM; ESPNU

Remember when I said this last week:

Pitt currently sits at 0-2 after losses to Youngstown State and Cincinnati, but don’t write them off. They’ve got talent on offense (keep an eye on RB Ray Graham who had 103 yards in the loss to Cincy) and a history of punching Tech in the mouth, plus they’ve had nine days to prepare.

Well, now Pitt sits at 1-2. Great, just great.

The Hokies showed up in Pittsburgh unprepared or unmotivated or unsomethinged and were completely embarrassed. The defense, normally as trustworthy as a Boy Scout, couldn’t tackle and looked like they’d rather be playing soccer. The offense was…the offense. While I don’t expect much out of them, I do expect them not to turn the ball over four times. The only bright spots from last week were sophomore Kyshoen Jarrett’s 94-yard punt return for a TD and punter A.J. Hughes’s week-to-week consistency–something much needed after last year’s punting debacles.

This week the Hokies limp home to take on Bowling Green. Who even knows what’s going to happen? If Tech plays like they’ve played in the last two games, they will lose. If Logan Thomas throws three interceptions, they will lose. Bowling Green features one of the better defenses in the MAC, and if the offensive line fails to hit a dude, it’ll be a long day. I’m cautiously optimistic, but we’ll see.

Virginia at #17 TCU

Saturday, September 22nd, 12:00 PM; ESPN

This was the week for Virginia to show the world what they were made of against Georgia Tech. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jacket’s option-oriented offense was too much for defensive-minded Mike London. On their very first play of the game, GT scored on a 70-yard touchdown pass. On their third play, they scored on a 77-yard run. Three plays in and GT had 150 yards of offense! All told the Yellow Jackets hung nearly 600 yards on the Cav defense.

This week the Hoos travel all the way to Fort Worth to face the #17 TCU Horned Frogs. TCU will bring the 7th ranked defense in the nation, allowing only 225 yards per game–things do not look good for UVA. Maybe Mike London’s got some tricks up his sleeves? I hope?

Games worth watching

Thursday, 9:00 PM, ESPN, Brigham Young at #24 Boise State — Thursday night on the smurf turf! Too bad this game has a 9:00 PM kickoff as I’ll be asleep by halftime.

Friday, 8:00 PM, ESPN, Baylor at Louisiana-Monroe — I just can’t get enough of Louisiana-Monroe! They’ll take on their third BCS opponent in row against the now-RG3-less Bayor Bears. Don’t stop believing!

12:00 PM, ESPNU, Bowling Green at Virginia Tech — Go Hokies!

12:00 PM, ESPN, Virginia at #17 TCU — Go Hoos!

3:30 PM, CBS, Missouri at #7 South Carolina — It’s either this or Miami vs. Georgia Tech, you decide.

7:30 PM, NBC, #18 Michigan at #11 Notre Dame — I didn’t think giant Midwest stadiums had lights? Whatever the case may be, here’s hoping that Michigan crushes Notre Dame in the most embarrassing fashion imaginable. How do I get Denard Robinson to tackle Brian Kelly?

8:00 PM, ABC, #10 Clemson at #4 Florida State — The winner of this game will win the ACC. I almost want to say that this is finally the year for Clemson, but I know that as soon as I do they’ll lose a game by 50 points. Let’s hope it’s not this one.

10:30 PM, ESPN, #22 Arizona at #3 Oregon — It’s evil Rich Rodriguez vs. brilliant Chip Kelly! This cross divisional game won’t decide who will make it to the Pac-12 championship game, but it will tell us a lot about Arizona and if they’ve got what it takes to knock off USC (October 27th). This will be Oregon’s first real test, as well. If you’re a night owl, be sure and tune in.

September 20, 2012 6:59 AM 3