On the road again...

I'm on the road to Blacksburg today to see the Hokies in a Thursday Night Special. Plenty of posts scheduled for today, though.

Unless Thursday's game makes me mad enough to just turnaround and drive home Friday, here's what I'll be doing this weekend:

Wednesday
- Eat at Corky's in Jackson, Tenn. If you haven't been there, you just don't know. If you ever go, get the pe-can pie with ice cream.

Thursday
- Drinks at Hokie House.
- Go see the guys at the Clubhouse Tailgate.
- Beat Maryland.
- Close down Top of the Stairs.

Friday
- Go see relatives.
- George Washington at Halifax County.

Saturday
- GT at UNC in Chapel Hill.
- Dinner at Napoli's in Gretna, Va.

Sunday
- Eat at Corky's in Jackson, Tenn.

Unfortunately, the weather will be perfect for Thursday's game. How on earth temperatures can be in the high 60's/low 70's in Blacksburg in November is beyond me. I may not even have to wear sleeves on Thursday. What a shame.

And check out the Weather Channel's new college football pages. They have in-depth weather details for each game as well as team's records under certain conditions. It's a big improvement over what they had earlier this season.

Enjoy the posts today (including a Best of the Blogs) and I'll see you all on Monday.

Hokie fans will decide election

From Carolina March comes this bit of info:

According to an article in the New Yorker, Barack Obama could need to carry Virginia to win November's election. The Commonwealth typically votes Republican, and win the state, he needs to win over the staunchly Republican Southwest portion of the state (including Halifax Country, rep-ra-zent!). And, of course, most of SW Va. is Hokie fans.

It helps Obama's cause that one of his biggest supporters is former Democratic Governor Mark Warner, who is wildly popular among Republican and Democrat Hokie fans alike. Why? Because Warner is almost solely responsible for getting the Hokies in to the ACC.

In office, Warner repaid the region by persuading two high-tech companies to move to Lebanon, and fought to get Virginia Tech—Virginia Polytechnic Institute, in the Blue Ridge town of Blacksburg—into the Atlantic Coast Conference. “Mark Warner has become part of the culture,” Saunders says. “We accept him as part of who we are, if for no other reason—God damn, he got V.P.I. into the A.C.C.! I mean, it’s a big damned deal.”

That's right, Hokie fans. You may decide this election.

Stephens Impressive in Practice

Freshman linebacker Allen Stephens from Halifax County High School has been getting a lot of pub on Kyle Tucker's blog recently. According to Tucker, Stephens "plays violent," which is a big compliment for a Tech linebacker.

Tucker also reported yesterday that Stephens was one the heaviest hitters among the defensive players at Tuesday's scrimmage. This guy is going to be a stud. That's how we do things in South Boston, Va., people.

5 Youngsters to Watch in 2008

Here are five freshmen and sophomores (other than Tyrod) who could make an impact by the end of the season:

1. The Running Backs
(RFr., Darren Evans, RFr., Josh Oglesby, Fr., Ryan Williams)

One of them is bound to take control as the No. 1 running back by the time the Hokies finish their non-conference schedule. Evans is the closest right now. Oglesby could be there if he improves his pass blocking. Williams is the X-factor.

Williams most likely will not redshirt. He'll get on the field somehow, even if the coaches have to put him in as a receiver to do it. How quickly he starts getting carries depends on how he is able to adjust to the Hokies' blocking scheme and his ability to pass block.

2. RSo., John Graves, DT

A sophomore is currently No. 1 on the depth chart at defensive tackle. That isn't good news to me. Graves was unimpressive during his freshman season and needs to have a better 2008 now that he has a year of experience under his belt.

He's a tall, agile DT, which worked for Barry Booker the last two seasons. I'd prefer at least one of our defensive tackles be of the large, stocky, gap-filler variety, but now that Taco Thompson has lost 30 pounds, that won't be the case.

Hopefully Graves and Thompson can use their agility to slip blocks and make tackles in the backfield.

3. RSo., Jason Worilds, DE

He's quick and he's agile and he has a sixth sense for getting to the quarterback. Worilds has shown all this in practice the last two years, but now will get his chance to show it as a starter.

I think Worilds is the prefect replacement for the departed Chris Ellis and its his time to shine. He's the next in the long line of great Tech defensive ends.

4. Fr., Vinston Painter, OT

The Hokies plan to start redshirt freshman Blake DeChristopher at right tackle next year. I wouldn't be surprised if the much-ballyhooed Painter gets his shot at right tackle as well. The Hokies need help and depth on the offensive line.

If Painter is as good as he's been touted, he could start seeing significant playing time late in the season.

5. Fr., Allen Stephens, LB

Ok, on this one I'm a little bias. He's from the same part of Virginia as my family (Halifax County Rep-ra-zent!) and I've been reading and hearing about him for the last two years.

The kid is a fierce competitor and a freak of nature by all accounts. If he can adjust to the speed of college football, he should be a beast at linebacker for the Hokies. Probably not this season, but one can hope.