Cheers and Jeers: Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota

Obviously, mayonnaise is a controversial proposition for many folks. I'm generally in favor of it, but I can appreciate those who have an aversion. 

What isn't up for debate is the greatness of the Duke's Mayo Bowl. I consider it the second best bowl game to the absolutely electric experience of the Pop-Tarts Bowl and just slightly ahead of the Rose and Sugar. This game is exactly what they all should be. Essentially, they're just incredibly silly meme-fests that allow the marketing department at a major corporation to loose their minds in order to push product. And it all has the ancillary benefit of extra football and a weird vacation for all involved. 

The Playoff games should all be on campus until the title game and every bowl should be exactly as ridiculous as the Duke's Mayo Bowl. 

Based on the bizarre roster rotations and a handful of unhinged play calls, it was clear that the Hokies were primarily interested in evaluating the roster and getting the season over with. Some of this was beyond their control with the rash of transfers and opt-outs that have become commonplace this time of year. 

There were expected growing pains starting Pop Watson against a tough Gophers defense, but he certainly wasn't helped by the play calling. The choices made in the red zone alone were disastrous. I won't soon recover from the reverse to the short side of the field inside the opponent's 20. Lot's of weird choices to defend here from Tyler Bowen. 

Tech played hard, particularly on defense, and there were some bright spots from the young guys but this seemed like a winnable game or at least a closer contest even just playing Collin Schlee the whole time. That's just one of many curious decisions. But alas, it's all over now and that's probably for the best.

Thomas Williams has flashed a bit this season as a kickoff return man as he did again in this game. He also made a play or two on defense. Freshman Tyler Mason had some nice runs and highly touted receiver Keylen Adams had a nice 14-yard catch and a speedy 47-yard run himself. Also, shout out to Jonathan Pennix for his nifty ricochet recovery on special teams.  

I'm not really sure how to classify Ayden Greene at this point, but he's played too much to be truly "young". Still, he showed his potential with a dominant first half and set up Tech's only touchdown of the night with a long catch-and-run. Let's just say he's extremely quick and could really be a player if he could just catch the ball consistently. 

We're not just talking about Flava Flav in a Mayonnaise suit. Tech's Peter Moore booted a 69-yard punt and John Love nailed a 60-yard field goal just before the first half to give the team a nice little boost that never really went anywhere. Love has become one of the best kickers in school history when he isn't terrorizing opposing marching bands. These two have been an extremely consistent part of a program without much else to hang its hat on over the last few years. Both will get a chance to kick in the pros and I wouldn't be surprised to see Love make a real go of it in the NFL on par with Joey Slye.  

Look, that didn't go very well okay? I don't mean the Mayo Bowl which honestly could have gone a lot worse for a shorthanded Hokie squad. I mean the season as a whole which was brutal. Tech finishes with a worse record than last year which leads to another offseason filled with questions. We're all eagerly waiting to find out who the rest of the new coaches are which is perhaps the biggest variable. I already like Matt Moore who has snagged two players so far from West Virginia. I dislike a lot of things about the state of free agency right now, but I do enjoy stealing from our rivals. 

It's not just o-lineman following their coach down the road either. The Hokies have been active in the transfer portal across the board so far. It appears the staff is doing an excellent job there and has pulled together a solid recruiting class overall this year, but who knows how well those pieces will blend together and how quickly.   

It still looks like this team is a ways away from sustained success and everyone will be slow to hype up the Hokies after this season's flop. They open with two SEC opponents including one in Vanderbilt that beat Tech this season, and another in red-hot South Carolina coached by a Beamer.

It'll be tough sledding...but  thankfully that's a long way off. 

Enjoy the rest of the CFB Playoff and just let the offseason happen.