Marshall at Va Tech
Thursday, September 12th at 7:30 PM
TV: ESPN
Surface: Grass
Line: Va Tech -12.5
After letting the NFL steal the Thursday night stage for a week, we're back to some good college action this Thursday.
Every year it seems college sports writers grab a hold of one or two unheralded and relatively unknown players and let us know just what we have been missing. This year's poster child for that movement is Marshall's Byron Leftwich, the greatest quarterback you've probably never seen.
After reading up on Leftwich, I have to say I'm looking forward to watching him play this season. Not that I haven't seen him play before. I've actually seen Leftwich play a number of times over the past few years. If I read the writers correctly though, young Byron is a different player now. His arm has turned into a rocket, literally, and the lower half of his body has morphed into a Porsche 911. Did I mention he is tall enough to post up Shaq? Thank goodness he was sent to Marshall because if he had landed somewhere like Tallahassee, FL or Ann Arbor, MI well then, let's just say there wouldn't have been so much suspense around the national championship these past few seasons.
However, you'll excuse Virginia Tech if they're not that impressed. Not that they don't recognize the talent of Leftwich or respect Marshall's team. To be sure, Byron is a very good quarterback and may indeed go first in next year's NFL draft. Likewise, the Hokies realize Marshall, despite playing in the MAC, is a dangerous opponent.
But you see, Virginia Tech knows what it's like to scrap and claw for respect. They know all about being the team from the middle of nowhere that no one wants to play. After all, only a few years back that was them. Some guy named Michael Vick changed all that.
Virginia Tech also knows about playing talented teams that fly just below the national radar, even ones with Leftwich-type QBs. Almost two years ago the Hokies played East Carolina on a Thursday night in Greenville, SC. The Pirates had QB David Garrard, a tall, mobile player with a cannon for an arm. (Sound familiar?)
The line opened near 10 and plummeted until it settled around 5. All Virginia Tech did was come out and play its game. That "game" is one of suffocating defense that stuffs the run and forces you to throw while putting a great deal of pressure on the quarterback. Oh, and I almost forgot: the best special teams in the nation that are usually good for at least one score a game. The end result was 45-28 Virginia Tech and it wasn't even that close.
So back to this Thursday. The line opened at 15 and has since dropped to 11. The great Byron Leftwich is coming to Blacksburg and the national stage awaits. Unfortunately, I can only see a similar outcome here as the ECU game a few years back.
Virginia Tech once again has the defense and the special teams. Just ask LSU. That team, predicted to win its division in the mighty SEC traveled to Blacksburg a few weeks back and was spanked. Embarrassed, 26-8. The formula was there once again. LSU could only manage 80 total yards on the ground while the Hokies caused four fumbles. Forced into obvious passing situations, LSU couldn't hold back the Virginia Tech blitz. Did I mention Virginia Tech blocked a punt that set up a touchdown?
Don't get me wrong, Leftwich will have his moments. He is simply too good not to dent the Hokies' defense a few times. But it won't be enough. Marshall's defense, which only returns three starters, will be slowly worn down by Tech and their two talented RBs, Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. A slight miscue by Marshall on special teams could only accelerate the process.
If they are forced to play from behind, which I see as a highly probable scenario, then it will just be playing into Tech's hands. Byron can run but he can't hide.
Final score: Virginia Tech 34 Marshall 17
Good write-up. I'm teasing VT with the over tonight. Would take the game straight up, but I'm not sold on Randall's passing ability. Hopefully, Suggs and Jones will take away any need for them to throw the ball.
i definitely wouldn't take marshall because i think their only chance is a backdoor cover, beamer doesn't run in up on purpose, however i think vtech is by far the dominant team here and they should cover, it would be a big play for me but i'm a little scared of the backdoor, so i'm playing it for 6 units, and by the way, randall is going to help the hokies more than hurt, the offense is much better with him than noel, because of his mobility, and as far as i've seen his arm is better than noels, he just lacks the experience and may make a few mistakes, anyway
vtech -11 6 units, also would advise playing the first half -6.5 because there definitely won't be any letting up in the first half
nickyc
thanks nicky. i'm with you.
I love the first half play also
And teasing Vtech and the over for the game Iam afriad of the back door cover too.
Love the write -ups and opinions; guys keep up the good work.