Presto's Picks-- final go-around...

Hope everyone enjopyed their extra helpings of turkey and pumpkin pie... sadly the season ends- with the Hokies wondering how the Coastal Division slipped through their hands...the Cavaliers wishing for every month to be October and the Terrapins hoping their youth will be served next fall...



MARYLAND vs Boston College-- the Eagles boast one of the league's top runningbacks in Montel Harris... while the Terps haven't been able to stop anyone with any consistency this year. Terps tumble, 39-24.



VIRGINIA TECH vs VIRGINIA-- the Commonwealth clash pits the Hokies (headed to another bowl) against the Cavaliers- who have won just one game outside October the past two seasons. Hokies in a ho-hum affair, 33-16.

Elsewhere:
Navy over Hawaii.

Last Week: 3-0.

Overall: 54-19.

Redskins Rehash-- plenty of helpings of Turkey...

You didn't think the Skins would actually hold on and win Sunday... did you? In the history of their rivalry with Dallas they hadn't shut out the Cowboys even once. George Allen's Over the Hill Gang couldn't do it... Gibbs and the Hogs never accomplished that feat... what made one think the Maroon and Black could turn the trick? Instead of being 4-6 and on the fringe of the playoff mix the Skins are in the phantom zone-- not technically out of contention but needing quite a few miracles to make the postseason.

Belated checkdowns of the loss in Irving...

Points well taken-- I guess it's only fitting after putting 27 (27!) on the board against Denver the offense would revert to the form that is 25th in yards gained and 29th in points. Sunday they actually outgained the Cowboys-- and converted 7 of 15 of their third downs... yet each drive bogged down before they even reached the redzone (just one drive got inside the Dallas 20-yard line).

Missed it by that much...twice-- the Skins had two opportunities to make the game a two-touchdown affair...but Shaun Suisham (after making his first 14 attempts of the season) missed a 39-yarder just before halftime and a 50-yarder immediately preceding the Cowboys' gamewinning drive.

Defense: everything but the girl-- the Redskins D performed with Duckie-like ability in trying to lock down a shutout... shining for three and a half quarters before coughing up a 9 play 60 yard touchdown drive... Tony Romo up to that point?: 9-20 for 103 yards and an interception...on the drive?: 6-7 for 55 yards and a score... Romo is Blaine (winning despite himself) while the Skins D plays the role of Philip F. Dale-- dominating the landscape yet somehow nowhere near Andie in the end.

Solid as a Rock-- with Ladell Betts leaving after injuring knee ligaments, Rock Cartwright rushed for 67 yards while catching 7 passes for 73 more yards... it's too bad injuries are the primary reason Cartwright's seeing any action-- because if used correctly he could be a good change of pace back (ala Joe Washington) providing lightning to Portis's thunder.

Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Kelly, Davis & Thomas responded with another strong outing-- combining for 6 catches and 93 yards (over 15 yards per catch? are you serious?!?)... season projections now jump to 72 grabs for 798 yards (with Davis projected to reach 37)... and this entry's on the verge of being titled "Give it a rest, Dave".

What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man did not play against the Cowboys-- and his ankle sprain keeps him a question mark for Philadelphia.

London Calling-- if anyone on this defense merits a nine-figure contract, it's the middle linebacker... Mr. Fletcher notched 8 tackles and 5 assists while intercepting a pass and forcing a fumble against the Cowboys.

College Football Corner... dirty laundry...

Sports, as Jerry Seinfeld once said, is merely rooting for laundry. It pains me this fall to see a wide variety of alternate, special, turn back the clock as well as turn your head and cough unis early and often. This isn't baseball where if you wear an alternate home jersey 12 times fans get to see your actual home uni 69 times. In theory a school has 12 chances to establish and build on its brand each year-- and this fall there have been more than a few strayings and violations:



1--Fade to black. I had no idea that Tennessee also boasted black as a primary color... or that Georgia's black helmets were possible. Did schools not learn anything from Happy Days when Fonzie started wearing black t-shirts? We know wearing black is slimming as well as trendy-- but when everybody does it it's not cool.



2--Contrasting Opinion-- nothing says uniform laziness more than wearing the same color pants and jersey (white on white an exception)... while nothing is sharper than color contrast done well.



3--Special Situations?-- Ohio State wore vintage uniforms for its game at Michigan... granted, these Wolverines finished last in the Big Ten--but should a school wear secondary (turn back the clock) unis for its primary rival?



4--Horsefeathers! I saw feathers on the shoulders of Florida State last weekend (along with maroon on maroon) and my stomach turned-- although it's not as trendy as the horned frog on TCU's "alternate" jerseys.



5--Oregon's dilemna-- it's nice to be outfitted by NIKE, but at what price do you sell dignity... at last calculation the Ducks have 1,187 different potential uniform combinations... 1,184 of which are ridiculous. I can only imagine Eugene is a dumping ground for other school's rejects.



Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse upset #25 Rutgers 31-13 for the Orange's first Big East win of the season...notching nine sacks and giving the Carrier Dome faithful reason to celebrate-- especially off the heels of basketball's 87-71 thumping of #6 North Carolina.




MARYLAND saw the autumn of its discontent continue with a 29-26 come from ahead loss to Florida State. Allowing a game-winning drive with 90 seconds left was the latest twist and turn of 2009... the only thing that could still happen to this team would be if the new press box collapsed Saturday. Terrapin Triumphs-- the one-two backfield tandem of DaRell Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 142 yards on 32 carries... showing a flash of what could have been had Scott remained healthy. Terrapin Troubles-- the defense gave up not one but two desperation drives for fourth quarter touchdowns. A lot was made about the new-look defense at the start of the season-- and a lot will be made about a new defense in 2010.

VIRGINIA was unable to keep up with Clemson after putting 21 points on the board in the first half; the 34-21 defeat assured the Cavaliers of a last-place finish in the Coastal Division. Cavalier Congrats-- the defense held Tiger tailback CJ Spiller to just over three yards a carry... Cavalier Catastrophes-- 40 yards after halftime... 7 sacks allowed and 2 fumbles diminished what could have been a heck of an afternoon.



VIRGINIA TECH continued its November tour through the league's bottom-feeders... ripping North Carolina State 38-10. While an ACC title is out of reach, a ten win season isn't-- and it's a testament to what Frank Beamer's built that double digit victories get "yes, but" status. Hokie Highlights-- holding the Wolfpack to 14 yards rushing... while notching four takeaways and committing just a pair of penalties... Hokie Humblings-- I'm still burned up at VT for wearing those maroon jerseys with one orange shoulder... what was that for? Hunting?

Presto's Picks-- Thankful?... are you serious?

Thanksgiving traditionally marks the end of college football's regular season, and it can't come soon enough for the area's ACC schools...


MARYLAND at Florida State-- Jamarr Robinson starts again at quarterback for coach Ralph Friedgen-- providing a little more of a running option. Okay, how about a lot of running options? The sophomore gained more yards rushing (129) than passing (104)-- shades of Bobby Douglass! These aren't your father's Seminoles... not even your big brother's FSU. Still, coach Bobby Bowden's bunch own Maryland when the two teams tangle in Tallahassee. Terrapins tumble, 34-12.

VIRGINIA TECH vs North Carolina State-- Hokies continue their mop-up month with a date against the lone team to beat nationally ranked Pitt this fall; NC State can move the ball very well... but the Hokies are the league's best at closing out in closing month. VT's victorious, 37-26.


VIRGINIA at Clemson-- finally a game that has a bearing in the ACC Championship... the Tigers have a chance to win the Atlantic Division...and look to send CJ Spiller out in style. Cavaliers come up short, 31-7.

Last Week: 7-0.

Overall: 51-19.

Redskins Rehash-- bucking the Broncos...

In retrospect the Redskins win over Denver is explainable-- the Broncos were coming off of a short week by playing on Monday Night Football... they were playing at 11am Denver time... the Skins gave them no reason to think they would play well... but Washington's 27-17 victory keeps the angry masses at bay-- and it was the team's best 60 minute effort of the season.

Impact player? You Betts-- with Clinton Portis on the sidelines, Ladell Betts ran for 114 yards and a touchdown. When Portis eventually returns to the field, here's for the Skins using the duo more as a tandem...with Ladell getting a few more carries.

Quarterback? Simms owes a lot more... the game turned on a dime when Broncos starter Kyle Orton went down to injury just before halftime--he had thrown for 193 first half yards and touchdowns of 40 and 75 yards, while Chris Simms went 3-13 with an interception. Let's hope he's saved his pay wisely over the years.

What's a Haynesworth?-- the 100 million dollar man notched a tackle and an assist... bringing his total to 21 with 6 assists- plus three sacks and a fumble recovery. Stealing the DLine spotlight? Rookie Brian Orakpo... the hybrid pass-rusher tallied a sack and a half to bring his rookie-best total to seven.

Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Davis, Kelly & Thomas broke out with 7 catches for 105 yards... bringing the total to 39 catches for the season...for 402 yards and two touchdowns. Season projection: 69 receptions, 714 yards and 4 touchdowns...with Fred Davis already at 21 catches (the trio combined for 21 last year).

Two more props: only two penalties? only three sacks allowed? At 3-6 one wonders if perhaps the season was called too soon.

College Football Corner-- a hot seat that isn't...

Let the record show this has not been an ideal season for Maryland. Granted, Virginia Tech saw it's hopes go from national title to second-tier ACC-- and Virginia's "October Surprise II" ended a few weeks early-- but for the first time in a decade the Terps are clearly out of the mix. Most had this team slated for a second-tier finish in the ACC Atlantic, but few had things going this bad... and around the beltway there are the expected "Fridge on the hot seat" columns. I think he survives this year even if they lose their last two to finish 2-10 ( a first ever double-digit loss season, although teams played a maximum of ten games until the early 70's).

First, this fall can be viewed as an aberration-- Ralph has been successful for the bulk of his tenure in College Park. Second, this program is much better now than it was when Friedgen took over-- coming off a decade plus of losing. Finally, Friedgen has two years remaining on his current contract and offensive coordinator James Franklin will be owed a million dollars if he isn't coaching the team by 2012. This is a school that is more fiscally restrained than others-- hey, they charge the media $15 to use the press box taco bar...and I can't imagine them paying Fridge off.




#20 VIRGINIA TECH routed MARYLAND 36-9 in a game that wasn't that close. The seats at Byrd Stadium had a fall foliage feel-- plenty of red yet plenty of orange and even some purple.

Hokie Highlights-- taking care of business with an inferior opponent...Tyrod Taylor ran for 81 yards while tossing three touchdown passes... Ryan Williams rumbled for 126 yards (it will be interesting to see how the backfield reshuffles next year with the return of Darren Evans to the lineup)... Hokie Humblings-- minimal...they controlled the game for 60 minutes-- there was never any doubt about the outcome.

Terrapin Triumphs-- Jamarr Robinson ran for 129 yards in his debut (and that includes the yardage lost on sacks) while throwing for 104 yards...with no interceptions. Just one penalty and no turnovers... reversing a season-long trend. Terrapin Troubles-- the offensive line allowed six sacks- four in the first half... the running backs gained a combined 3 yards on 6 carries. The defense couldn't get off the field in the first half (VT was 5 of 7 on 3rd down).



VIRGINIA continued its November descent with a 14-10 loss to Boston College. Cavalier Congrats-- Chris Cook put the Cavs on the board with a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown...and the defense held BC to just a pair of touchdowns after allowing 52 the week before to Miami. Cavalier Catastrophes-- the offense gained just 77 yards rushing and was unable to get into the end zone...UVa hasn't reached the 20 point plateau since their win at Maryland.

Presto's Picks-- Big Eastern Occupation continues...

Six seasons into the double-digit member ACC, the trend continues: the three schools taken from the Big East are a combined 19-8 and on track to leave the rest of the conference in the dust. Even with Georgia Tech the likely Coastal Division winner-- the power trio of Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech are assured of combining for half of the ACC title game participants. And that doesn't include 2004--when Miami and Virginia Tech battled on the final Saturday of the season in a defacto championship game. The three schools have also boasted more than their share of first team ACC all stars and postseason honors in their brief tenure-- last year BC had the league's defensive player of the year while Miami had the ACC's top defensive rookie. Good news for the league as a whole, as the Boston and Miami markets (plus VT's defacto DC market presence)... while the biggest loser may be Florida State-- no longer able to use the ACC as it's little playpen.

Alma Mater Update-- saw Syracuse's 37-10 loss at then #13 Pitt last weekend... a few ruminations: Heinz Field is a beautiful place to watch a game... and the weather was perfect. The Orange kept things close before Greg Paulus tossed a pick six to wrap up the first half-- and then the SU defense allowed the Panthers to reach the end zone on their first second half drive. The Orange touchdown? Aided and abetted by four defensive pass interference penalties. Let's move to hoops, please.

#20 Virginia Tech at Maryland-- during this week's conference call, coach Ralph Friedgen said his team was basically a handful of plays away from a 7-2 record. While that might be somewhat accurate the Terps are a six points away from 0-9. Can a Maryland defense that's allowed 30+ points in six of nine games slow down a Hokie attack that sometimes acts as its own regulator (19ppg since October 15th)? Will a Terrapin offense that hasn't been able to get out of its own way this fall (most turnovers in the ACC) be able to dent a Virginia Tech defense that's more than held its own this fall? Wait for the TV timeouts to leave your seat-- as both special teams have shown a propensity for big plays this year. Hokies more than a few plays better than the Terps...24-13.

Virginia vs Boston College-- the November of the Cavaliers discontent continues with the Atlantic Division contending Eagles stopping by Charlottesville... although the rhythm of the season would suggest a UVa triumph-- coach Al Groh's team lost three straight before winning three in a row before dropping their last three. Cavaliers come up short, 20-15.


Navy defeats Delaware, Georgetown falls to Richmond, Howard slips to Bethune-Cookman, James Madison slips to UMass and William & Mary tops New Hampshire.

Last Week: 2-1.

Overall: 44-19.

Pro File... shouts in the Wilderness... bye to the byes...

Week ten of the NFL regular season wraps up the period where teams are "getting in position to be in position"... after this weekend there are no more byes--and only Houston plus the New York Giants are idle... making this seem like a full weekend.



Everybody playing at the same time (with the Monday/Thursday/Saturday exceptions) over a ten-hour period is one of the many things that makes pro football riveting. The entire context of a division, wildcard or homefield race can change within the span of a Sunday afternoon or evening. Another reason why I'm not excited about Thursday Night Football.


Yes, I enjoy the pro game as much as anyone else...but do we really need another night? It's taken me this long to warm up to College Football on Thursday's-- and now you're going to take away it's spotlight? I'm fine with TNF-- after Thanksgiving. One residual effect with TNF and the flex scheduling is now there are potentially more dog games on Sundays... Detroit-Tampa Bay, anyone? Fantasy Leagues get the shaft as well. At this point of the season, most everybody's banged up a little. Is your fantasy running back that's listed as questionable going to be ready to play on Sunday? Thursday most questionable players are still...well...questionable.



Playoff Picture:
AFC-- Indianapolis takes the top seed... while Denver's #2...
San Diego at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh at New England are the first round matchups.


NFC-- New Orleans is the #1 seed followed by Minnesota...
Philadelphia at Dallas and Atlanta at Arizona are the first round games.

On the fringe-- both 5-4 teams... while the New York Giants are crashing after a 5-0 start that had most punching their NFC East ticket, Houston could actually be good this year.

Best/Worst Division-- the AFC South (19-14) takes a one game lead over the NFC East-- thanks to the Giants and Redskins four game losing streaks. Meanwhile, the NFC West remains the division of depression (12-20, or 7-17 minus Arizona).

The chase for being on the clock:

There are five 1-7 teams... who's in the best shape to stay in last/first?

Tampa Bay-- 3 home/ 5 away... 39-25 record (including two with New Orleans).
Kansas City-- 4 home/ 4 away... 35-29 mark...
Detroit-- 4 home/ 4 away... 34-30 record (plus the home Thanksgiving game & 10-day layoff).
St Louis-- 5 home/ 3 away... 33-32 record.
Cleveland-- 5 home/ 3 away... 30-34 record.

Even if they wear their orange creamsicle unis, this is Bucco Bruce's game to lose... keeping in mind TB owned this spot from 1976-78, 1984, and 1986-87 all when the flamboyant pirate was perched on their helmets. That's not just bad-- that's dynastically horrific. Now I know why they moved to the pewter and red.


Riggo's Rant-- Redskins Hall of Fame running back John Riggins has been in the news quite a bit lately with his opinions and analysis of the team and its owner. Having once been a co-worker with #44 at Red Zebra Broadcasting for two years, I know how entertaining and enlightening the Diesel can be. While I agree this team is not being run efficiently and perhaps a change upstairs would be good, I stop before declaring Dan Snyder has a "dark heart".
In making great copy, Riggo has obscured the story at hand while making himself look less legitimate.

The issue isn't whether or not Snyder is evil incarnate-- but that the current management model needs major tweaking. Instead of Greg Blache remaining silent and Joe Theismann focusing on whats wrong with the Skins team-building approach--both are defending the owner... I feel like Hal Holbrook in All the President's Men "Now you've got people feeling sorry for and defending them!"-- although I'd never meet Riggo in an Arlington parking garage.

Redskins Rehash-- how to lose a fanbase in 8 games...

Bring on the Capitals and Wizards... lets go Terps (men and women) and Hoyas-- what's the initial prognosis for GW and AU-- and please punch my passport for Mason Nation! (currently searching for Howard pun). Can you believe the season-ending march is underway with a campaign that's only halfway complete? It's quite like "Hey Jude"... a 3-minute song with a 4-minute coda. Only not as fun to witness. I've often maintained that the Skins-centric beltway region gives other teams a chance to operate under the radar until January... obviously a 1-10 start means curtains but the glare isn't traditionally there until the Skins are done. Well-- the curtain is officially drawn on the rest of the sports scene.

Thoughts from weak eight (with an occasional NFL note to keep you from going crazy)--

Not Half Bad, just half-horrible-- the worst 30 minutes of the regular season came after two weeks off against a team working on short rest... a 24-3 landfill made even worse when given the fact the Skins haven't scored 21 points in any full game-- let alone a half. Once again, the offense was encouraged with second-half scores... touchdowns that wound up meaning little.


Double Down!-- Once again, the Blackjack offense was in effect-- and for the fourth time this fall the Skins stayed at 17...unfortunately the Falcons didn't hold a bust card. Even Spurrier's season-in-the-mail 2003 had the Skins hitting the 20-point mark nine times. You'd have to go back to 1993 to find an Redskins team with as little output (Pettibon's posse tallied 230 points; the current unit is on pace for 226).


Good Humor Men a Uniform Foul-- RR notes that the Skins are 4-12 since donning Burgundy on Burgundy against Pittsburgh last year... did they think White on White would be much better? This team has a Tradition with a capital T... does the University of Michigan roll out Maize jerseys if the players "vote on it"? Say what you will about the Cowboys color schemes-- but for the most part they are consistent. By DC or Maryland ordinance the Skins should be legally obligated to wear white jerseys with burgundy pants at all times-- with burgundy jerseys/white pants the only other option (special exemption to wear gold pants in a turn back the clock to George Allen era).


*NFL Note--keep the creamsicle!-- Tampa Bay ended an eleven game losing streak by outscoring Green Bay 38-28... wearing their old-school Orange unis from the 70's and 80's-- they even had the ambiguous pirate Bucco Bruce adorning white helmets. We humbly ask that the Bucs view this as a major sign and wear these unis forever.


O Line = Oh no!-- Jason Campbell was sacked five times in the first half and had to leave the game twice with various bumps and bruises. The fragmented line featured Mike Williams, Will Montgomery, D'Anthony Batiste and Levi Jones... proving once again it's rather difficult to throw when one's lying flat on his back.



TO TD's-- Campbell threw a pick-six... the second straight game where a Redskin turnover led to opposing points (and if one looks at the Chiefs game, Todd Collins was tackled for a game-clinching safety). It's rough enough when the Skins can't outscore opposing offenses... but opposing defenses?


Fantasy Focus-- the Dread Pirate Roberts has all but kidnapped the Princess Buttercup Division with three straight wins (inconceivable!)... going with the Texas two-step at quarterback (Romo/Schaub) and two dominant defenses (Steelers and Giants have both contributed this fall)... with the playoffs only a few weeks away--have fun storming the castle!


What's a Haynesworth?-- the Skins $100 million man racked up four tackles against the Falcons... but his presence allows others to succeed. First round pick Brian Orakpo tallied two sacks--giving the rookie 5 and a half for the season.



Tracking the Triumvirate-- the firm of Thomas, Davis & Kelly notched three catches for 30 yards... as their combined total swells to 32 receptions for 324 yards and two touchdowns-- prorating to 64--648--4... triple last year's output!... until you realize they're three players and the offensive linemen available last year (Sam Baker, Duane Brown, Mike Pollak and Chilo Rachal) are all starters in the league.


Sending out an SOS!-- after handling a softserve pre-bye slate with not just losing teams-- but positively dreadful squads: the Chiefs, Bucs, Lions and Rams are all 1-7... Cleveland being the lone 1-7 squad not on the Skins slate this fall. Wrapping up the remainder of the season-- there's not only an unbeaten (New Orleans) plus three more games against division leaders (Dallas twice and Denver once). Oakland (2-6) is the only pushover-- and that one's out west.

College Football Corner-- a season in the wilderness...

Sometimes things don't come together... sometimes a team's weaknesses are exposed and its strengths are minimized...sometimes momentum gets snuffed out with turnovers and penalties and sometimes magical months end a few weeks early. Welcome to 2009-- where all expectations take a major downshift... from Virginia Tech dominating the ACC to Maryland and Virginia making postseason plays. Closing Month doesn't seem to have a lot of possibilities opening up.


MARYLAND in a 38-31 loss to North Carolina State saw it's quarterback go down with a knee injury... a defensive lineman go out for the season and a glimmer of postseason hope get snuffed out (although there is still a way they can qualify for the ACC title game-- if they win their last three and Clemson loses its next two while Boston College goes 1-2 and Wake and NC State both lose a league game)...Terrapin Triumphs-- big plays from Alex Wuijiack (70 yard INT return for a TD) and Torrey Smith (82 yard kickoff return for a score)... Terrapin Tragedies-- 482 total yards allowed...31 first downs...10 penalties for 91 yards. And did we mention their next three opponents are a combined 16-11?


VIRGINIA slipped to the precipice of bowl elimination with a 52-17 loss to Miami. A The Cavaliers were overwhelmed after halftime... getting roasted 28-0 after intermission. Cavalier Congrats-- scoring on a blocked punt is always huge, especially with an offense that was spinning all afternoon. Cavalier Catastrophes-- 2 for 12 on third down... while allowing the Hurricanes to convert on 8 of 14 tries... Mikkell Simpson's magic has disappeared (14 yards on 7 carries)... oh, and the defense allowed 515 yards. UVa's final three? a combined 18-9.


VIRGINIA TECH won its Thursday Night clash with East Carolina 16-3... but lost hope for a Coastal Division title when Georgia Tech topped Wake Forest 30-27 in overtime. This puts the Yellowjackets one win away from locking up the division outright; and GT wraps up ACC play against Duke (although these Blue Devils are potentially in title contention). Hokie Highlights-- Ryan Williams crossed the 1000-yard threshold by rushing for 179 yards... just one turnover while forcing three ECU giveaways... only five penalties. Hokie Humblings-- 4 for 14 on third down will cost a team against better competition... while Tyrod Taylor completed 17 of 30 passes, his completions were for just 137 yards (an average of just over eight yards-- when effective teams aim for 11 to 13 ypc). Final three opponents for the Hokies? Maryland (2-7), NC State (4-5) and UVa (3-6) for a grand total of 9-18! Christmas arrives early in Blacksburg.

College Football Corner/Presto's Picks... Closing Month...

November brings the college football season to a crescendo... and with the World Series converging with the NBA's opening week and college hoops creeping into pre-Veteran's Day Territory... the Presto's Pick staff has its hands more than full--

VIRGINIA was heavy on tricks and light on treats in a 28-17 loss to Duke... Cavalier Congrats-- Rashawn Jackson gained 83 yards on 16 carries...while the defense held the high-flying Blue Devil offense in check for much of the afternoon. Cavalier Catastrophes-- Jameel Sewell and Mark Verica combined to complete 13 of 38 passes for 107 yards and an interception... setting the tone for an offense that converted just 4 of 16 third downs.



VIRGINIA TECH at East Carolina-- what was a season of promise has dissolved into chasing Georgia Tech... the team that leads the Coastal Division despite being the least talked-about. Seriously, the storylines have been "Why Can't the Hokies Score?"... "The Hurricanes are back!"... "Why aren't the Tar Heels back?"... "Duke's resurgence" and "UVa's October Surprise... this time it's Minimal!". East Carolina shocked the Hokies last season-- but if I've learned anything about ECU, it's that Halloween is CRAZY in Greenville... I'm thinking the Pirate faithful are still recovering. Hokies bounce back, 27-16.