This is Beamer's 300th game at Tech. He scored his 200th VT win over ECU this season, and he is in his 25th season. His very first win as the head coach of the Hokies came against the Tigers in 1987. Clemson comes into Lane Stadium, home of Enter Sandman, the Hokie Bird, and all that is right with college football on a Saturday night, ranked #13 in the nation (AP poll), and we are #11. This is game #31 between us; Clemson leads the series 17-12-1. BUT, we've won the last five. Pi = 3.1415926535. Lane stadium seats 66,233 Hokies. Logan Thomas is 6'6". The average giraffe is between 14' and 17' tall.
Does your head hurt? Good! Now we're almost ready to discuss Clemson.
First off, let's just point out some more fun numbers. We are currently ranked SECOND in the nation for our rushing defense, averaging just 43 yards per game. We held Marshall to just 6 yards rushing. Danny Coale, Mr. Awesome, is now fifth all-time in receiving yards at Tech, with 2,039 yards. He also is ranked third in career receptions, with 123. Boykin is first in receptions, with 133, and is second in the receiving yards category, totaling 2,216. I have a feeling that Mr. Awesome is going to pass Boykin this year. Not that I don't love Boykin, but I'd like to see them battle it out.
OK. Now we're ready for the real stuff.
This why I hate Clemson:
1. They "forgot" to update information from last week's game against the Seminoles in the game notes. Virginia Tech's official colors, according to them, are "Garnet and Gold"
2. Their official colors are Burnt Orange and Northwest Purple...couldn't they find their own shade of orange?
3. They beat Auburn 2 weeks ago, ending the longest winning streak in the nation... which now belongs to us
4. They stole two of their finest players from VA: QB Tajh Boyd (Hampton) and DE Andre Branch
5. I just threw up a little, thinking of the garnet and gold
6. After putting the hurt on Auburn, they beat a second ranked opponent, THE garnet and gold (formerly #11), 35-30
7. Google does not like the term "northwest purple", but, I did discover a lovely chutney recipe
8. Their basketball arena is called Littlejohn Coliseum
9. Someone gave their stadium the nickname "Death Valley". Lame.
10. They "run down a hill" to get onto their field, and call it the most exciting 25-seconds in college football. Um... yeah. Running sounds soooo exciting. Especially mixed with the enchanting sounds of "Tiger Rag"
In all fairness, we have stolen 4 things from the somewhat-fun state of South Carolina. We cannot completely discredit a state that includes Myrtle Beach. It's too fun. Regardless, we have 3 SC players: Andrew Lanier, Tariq Edwards, and Bruce Taylor. AND, though not quite proven yet, our newest play caller, Mike O'Cain, played for the Tony the Tigers and was the team MVP in 1976. He was the QB and the punter. O'Cain graduated from the jewel of the south in 1977.
We are 7-0 in ACC conference openers, which bodes well for us. The Tigers have never won 3 straight games against ranked opponents. So why is this game so flippin' scary? Coach Dabo Swinney came from Alabama. He's in his third year and he means business. We need to watch out for star WR Sammy Watkins. He averages 15.5 yards per reception. And, of course, there's QB Boyd, who averages an incredible 327.5 yards per game. Ouch. Those two scare me. Give 'em hell, Bud! RB Andre Ellington is also excellent, averaging 92.8 yards per game. If we can hold him to under 50, we have a good shot at winning this game.
I can try to say that we need O'Cain to call amazing plays, Stiney to call in sick, and Bud to take over both offense and defense. But I won't. Here's what I know. Although they talk a big talk about "Death Valley", they are scared to death of us, of Lane Stadium. All the players have been talking about all week is the noise that they expect on 3rd downs, and the sound of keys jingling in the crisp Blacksburg air. (OK, so I made that last part up.) I really think some of them are having nightmares about this game. It's either going to cripple them, or make them famous. And, as always, we're going to either shine, or fail miserably.
I will be there in my long johns, snow jacket, and maroon. Just in case you've forgotten, we're actually allowed to wear maroon this time. High temp is 47 in the New River Valley. It's gonna be dark and freezing. Your toes will go numb and you will get hit in the head with a paper airplane. You have no choice but to stand and yell until everything hurts and you can't speak for a week. Borrow keys from your friends so that you jingle better than anyone else in your section. I, of course, will be in Section 5 again...waiting for the man to lean back just a little too far. This time... oh, this time... he'll feel what a nice cold cup of Coke feels like when it's windy and cold in Blacksburg.
Our QB is young. We are the deciding factor in this game. We have so much talent. If we can make them believe in themselves, we'll win this.
The drive down will be lush and green. The air will be crisp. I'm sure the drillfield will feel like Antarctica. I am so excited I can barely stand the drive down. Exit 118B, here I come.
All my love + Pi = The B.S.C.
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