College Football Corner--Intrastate Showdown, Commwealth Clash or Dominion Duel?

I’ve often wondered exactly what Virginia is…a state, dominion or a commonwealth? Regardless, this weeks matchup between Virginia and Virginia Tech brings together two vastly different residents together with the ACC Coastal Division up for grabs. A brief breakdown:

School names: University of Virginia has a graceful ease about it. Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University reminds one of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. EDGE: UVA.

Colors: Blue and Orange versus Maroon and Orange… EDGE-TECH as long as they don’t wear those uniforms with odd-colored shoulders.

Nicknames and mascots: Cavaliers has a nice antebellum feel to it, but isn’t the Mascot the ex-Tampa Bay “Bucco Bruce”? (hey, Bucco Bruce’s family has to eat, and the NFL doesn’t dole out 401k’s to logos and/or mascots). Fighting Gobblers/Hokies is family and merchandise friendly. EDGE: TECH.

Campus towns: I’ve never been to Charlottesville when it wasn’t sunny, and I’ve never been to Blacksburg when it wasn’t cloudy. EDGE: UVA-can’t beat sunny and 70 in January.

Stadium food: They don’t serve it at Scott Stadium, but you just know UVa’s wine and cheese reputation garners snickers (the laugh not the snack). And I’ve gone on record with the Tech Turkey Leg. EDGE: TECH.

Founders: Virginia-Thomas Jefferson. Tough to top the guy who wrote the Declaration of Independence. George Washington’s the only Virginian who can trump TJ---although Roanoke’s Wayne Newton is making strides…


#8 VIRGINIA TECH expects to be here; after starting the season ranked 9th in the nation the Hokies struggled behind a mangled offensive line and an unsure quarterback situation. But since the team’s month off (games with William & Mary, Ohio and Duke resembling a mid-semester break) they’ve gotten healther and have run the ball better (Branden Ore’s averaged 76 yards a game the last four weeks after talling 53 ypg the first two months)—while at quarterback coach Frank Beamer’s been able to successfully mix the strengths of Tyrod Taylor (playing the role of Tim Tebow) and Sean Glennon (in the role of Chris Leak). But the bedrock this year’s team’s built on remains Beamerball—special teams that produces points and a defense that ranks first in the ACC.


#16 VIRGINIA was not expected to be here until recently: the Cavaliers were seen as a sinking ship through September, the beneficiary of a soft non-conference schedule in October and a collection of cardiac kids throughout the fall, but somehow Al Groh has this team one win away from a division title. Credit a defense that puts premium pressure on the passer (Chris Long leads the ACC with 12 sacks) and an offense that hasn’t missed a beat despite losing Cedric Peerman (on track to contend for conference player of the year honors) to a season-ending injury.


The Hokies have played a slightly tougher conference schedule (their cross-over ACC opponents Boston College, Clemson and Florida State are a combined 24-9 while the Cavaliers beat up on the combined 17-16 North Carolina State, Maryland and Wake Forest)—and although this game is in Charlottesville, Tech is very comfortable with this stage. HOKIES 26, CAVALIERS 21.


MARYLAND’s recent series with North Carolina State has been as thrilling as you could ask for in the ACC, with six of their last seven meetings decided by a touchdown or less and more than a few games carrying major importance:

In 2001, The Terps rallied to win 23-19 and clinch the ACC championship. 2003 saw Nick Novak make up for a missed extra point with a last-second field goal. The Wolfpack claimed a bowl berth in 2005 by beating Maryland 20-14 in a matchup of five-win teams—just like this year.

NC State averages 40 passes and 30 runs a game; Daniel Evans spreads the ball around (five receivers with 30+ catches) but throws a lot of short stuff—(under 11 yards per completion). Jamelle Eugene is a poor man’s version of UVa’s Mikkell Simpson—a moderate threat as a runner and receiver.

Maryland looks to open things up against the ACC’s 10th ranked defense; while Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore have been hampered by injuries lately they should get healthy against the Wolfpack. Chris Turner’s education continues with another positive step forward.
TERPS 34, Wolfpack 21.