It has not been a fun start to the season for Wizards fans, nor will it be a fun remainder of the season (until John Wall returns, that is).  Still, last night in front of their home fans the Wizards took care of business and finally grabbed their first win of the 2012 NBA season; just barely edging the Portland Trailblazers 84-82.

Jordan Crawford scored 19 to lead the Wiz, Trevor Ariza added 14 and 5 boards, Kevin Seraphin notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while the Wizards bench outscored the Blazers 46-4.   The good news is the team won, the bad news however is that they once again gave up a fourth quarter lead (this time a 15 point lead at home) and almost lost the game, again.

“Well, we made it interesting, but we won,” Head Coach, Randy Wittman said.  “We just broke through the ice. I’ve lived in Minnesota for 15, 17 years. That ice was 4 or 5 feet deep, but it’s broken through now.”

Now 1-12, it’s still going to be a trying season for Wittman and his young team.  Getting a win and saving themselves from breaking the worst start to a NBA season record (0-18) is definitely a moral victory and something the team should be able to build off of; but it doesn’t get any easier from here.  With a tough stretch of games on their docket, still no word on John Wall’s return (sometime in December is the most I’ve heard) and a roster still full of role players with no clear leader this team will continue to struggle.

They got a win, good, keep it up.  As the season heads into December they’ll need to (somehow) string a few wins together if they hope to dodge the worst winning percentage in NBA history, 0.106 (set just last year by the Charlotte Bobcats a team that has beaten the Wiz twice already).

I’ll be honest, I was elated last night; the most excited I’ve been this season for sure, but the team’s still 1-12 and it’s hard to remain upbeat about the road ahead.  Here’s to hoping they can string a few together in the coming weeks, here’s hoping  that this team will continue to play with pride and passion even if things don’t go their way. 

It’s just one win, no need to get too high, but it’s a start; the monkey’s off our backs and we can move forward unimpeded.

What is there left to say about the Wizards twelve game losing streak?

Currently the Wizards record stands at an abysmal 0-12.  They’re the worst offensive team in the league (90.0 ppg) and a middle-of-the-pack team defensively (giving up 98.2 ppg) For the second straight year the Wiz haven’t just failed to meet expectations, they’ve been the worst team to watch in basketball.  How the Bobcats, a team built by Michael Jordan (GM Rich Cho deserves the bulk of the credit) has surpassed the Wiz in one short season is beyond me, but there’s no beating around the bush now, the Wizards are the worst team in basketball.

Even with starting C Nene back in the fold (back in the fold might be premature, his foot problems will plague him all season) this team can’t put enough points up on the board to win a game.  And when they do score (they’ve held the lead in the fourth quarter or overtime in over half of their losses) they have been unable to hold leads and keep the pressure on their opponents.  It’s like the perfect storm of losing in the NBA, let me break it down for you:

1. No Star Player: John Wall, if you want to call him a star, continues to rehab his leg injury but there has yet to be a target date set for his return.  Without him the Wiz can’t get to the foul line (one of the few offensive talents Wall brings to the court), they haven’t been able to push the tempo (fast-break points being another strong-suite for Wall), and as mentioned before they have no closer down the stretch of games.
2. Terrible Offensive Efficiency: Without their star point guard to set the teams’ role players up, the Wiz have had to rely on efficient scorers to carry the load thus-far.  I could throw all sorts of efficiency figures at you that would make your head spin, or I could simply say: I’ve watched nearly every minute of Wizards basketball this season.  Jordan Crawford, Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Booker are all some of the worst shot selectors in the NBA…and they all started for us a few nights ago.
3. Lame Duck Coach: Listen, I like Randy Wittman as much as the next guy.  It’s clear the players respect his input and play hard (at times) for him.  But it’s no secret that, with this being the last year of Randy’s contract, he will not be back as coach.  Odd’s are Wittman doesn’t last until Christmas, honestly.  When building a team from the ground up young players need continuity and a coach who helps build a personality for the team, Wittman isn’t that guy.
4. Front Office Debacle: How or why Ernie Grunfeld is still a NBA GM is beyond me.  Why this organization decided to re-sign him a year ago still makes zero sense.  The trade for Ariza and Okafor tied up the teams short-term cap space, took the Wiz out of the running for impact free agents, and turned a young exciting team into an old, boring team to watch.  Like Wittman we have to assume (Hope) that Grunfeld is a lame duck GM.  A complete change in culture is what got us to this point, now we have to turn around and do it again.

Tonight the Wizards will face Portland (6-8) at home.  This is it guys…this looks like the last game until (gulp) MID DECEMBER that the Wiz have a chance of winning before Wall’s return.  I want to see urgency out of these guys tonight, maybe some passion to not become the team with the worst start in NBA history (0-18 is the all-time worst).

In my last post I predicted they’d win two of their next five, now I’m just hoping they don’t go out there and embarrass the proud people of the Nations Capital anymore.

Coming Up: Portland tonight, @ NYK Friday, vs. Miami 12/4, @ ATL 12/7, vs. GSW 12/8, @ NOLA 12/11

A week ago I wrote my first Wizards piece of the season.  Back then the Wizards were mired in a five game losing streak, but even then with the team sitting at 0-5 I found myself preaching patience and understanding while the young team took their lumps.  Now, after what has turned out to the be the worst start in franchise history and the two worst consecutive starts to a season in NBA history, the 0-9 Wizards have gone from bad to the worst.

It’s not just that the team is the worst offensive team in the league, shooting a league-worst 39% from the field as a team while averaging a paltry 86.9 points per game, it’s also that they simply do not know how to close games out.  In other words, this team has no idea how to win and they can barely score enough points to keep these games competitive.  They shoot the worst percentages in the league, have the worst point differential to date (-7.7), are without their two best players, and they’re beginning to lose fan support.  Head Coach Randy Wittman knows his job will be on the line these next few games, few head coaches survive a losing streak longer than ten games.  After the home loss to the Pacers Monday night (96-89, a game that finished closer than it really was), the head coach was asked what he could do to stop this streak and move forward:

“I believe these guys can win,” Wittman said. “I don’t have any doubts. … I come in here every day, thinking this is the night. I feel good.”  Soon after that though, Wittman expressed a level of frustration with his team.  “I don’t know who to start, who to play, who not to play…I’m looking down the whole roster, and if I had a cellphone, I’d be calling the waiver wire, trying to find another body. I mean, I’m just searching right now, searching for people to give me consistency.”  Harsh words from a coach who is now sitting squarely on the hottest seat in the league.

If you’re wondering if I’ve actually tortured myself and watched the bulk of these games, I have.  And the question now is a very simple one: Can this team win?  Is this current roster capable of not only defending and rebounding enough to get a W, but can they put enough points on the board to compete?  Looking at the numbers one has to skeptical of the teams chances, especially after these first nine games, but after rooting for the franchise for years and years I’ve grown more patient and hopeful that they can in fact turn it around.  Sure, they’re shooting numbers are some of the worst the league has seen in the last decade, they have no one player who can carry them on a given night, and they’ll be looking for a new coach come Christmas time, but I still firmly believe that this team is not as bad as their record suggests; that doesn’t mean they’ll win a game, but someone’s gotta keep hope alive.

Coming UP: @ ATL Wednesday, vs. Charlotte Saturday, vs. Spurs Monday 11/26, vs. Portland 11/28, @ Knicks 11/30

Bold Prediction: The Wiz will win, not one but TWO of their next five games!

The Washington Wizards have yet to win a game this season.  Sitting at 0-5 one has to wonder when this team will finally catch a break and win one of these close games.  To be fair the 0-5 record is misleading; this team isn’t hapless, they’re not a lost group of underachievers like the past Wizards teams, these guys play hard.  Head Coach Randy Wittman, considered a stop-gap option for the franchise in a rebuilding year, has done something that none of his predecessors could accomplish: he’s gotten these guy’s to compete on defense.

Through their first five games the Wiz have lost by 10 (twice, Cavs and Bucks), 6 (in OT @ Boston), 3 (at home to Boston), and 4 (@ Indy Saturday night).  All of these games have been close in the fourth quarter, and all of them could have easily gone the other way had the Wizards been able to execute down the stretch.  Now, I don’t say that to imply the Wiz can’t execute, A.J. Price has been great (8.0 assists a game) moving the ball as he’s been filling in for John Wall at the point, but there’s a clear dearth of leadership at the end of games.  In other words: this team needs a bonafide Alpha.  Once he’s in place the Wiz’s other solid role players should fall into place accordingly.

Is John Wall that Alpha?  Time will tell, but when he returns he’ll get every opportunity to be the Man.  For all of the good Price has given the Wiz at the point, he’s been abused on defense by the likes of Kyrie Irving, Rajon Rondo (twice), and Brandon Jennings.  Aside from Wall’s upside as a ball handler, attacker, and distributor for the Wiz, he brings a level of explosiveness to the point that most teams can’t defend (if only he could hit a jump shot…I digress…).  When Wall returns it will bolster the Wizards backcourt, sending Price back to the bench.  Not only that, but with Wall back on the court players like Beal, Ariza, Crawford and other shooters should get open looks as Wall will collapse defenses with his speed and ability to attack the basket.

So, you just read 300+ words telling you that the Wizards are an unfinished project, DUH.  Inactive C, Nene, should be cleared to practice in about three weeks.  His presence, like Wall’s, will change the whole dynamic for the Wizard’s front court.  The team that’s played hard these first five game has consisted of a rotation full of role and bench players.  One has to think that with a full arsenal at their disposal this team has more upside than its 0-5 record lets on.

Prediction: The Wizards will get their first win of the season, best odds will be Tuesday night against the suddenly formidable Bobcats.  I’m not joking around when I say I see actual improvement with this team, but I’m also trying to be realistic in my expectations.  I’m cautiously optimistic that this is not the worst team in the NBA…but I’ve been wrong before.

Coming Up: @Charlotte Tuesday, @Dallas Wednesday, vs. Utah 11/17, vs. Indy 11/19, @ ATL 11/21

When #8 Florida State steps foot in Lane Stadium Thursday night they’ll have their hands full.  The Thursday night crowd in Blacksburg is highly regarded as one of the most hostile in the country; some of the best ACC games in recent memory have been played in this setting.  Sadly, what looked to be a great late-season match up between ACC heavyweights in the preseason has morphed into a good team playing a mediocre team on the road.

Virginia Tech (4-5, 2-3 in the ACC) needs to win two of their last three games (FSU, @BC, UVA) just to become bowl eligible.  If they fail to do so it’ll be the first time in 19 years that the Hokies don’t make it to a bowl game (snapping the 3rd longest bowl streak in the country).  They’ve already snapped their streak of 10-win seasons (eight years in a row).  In a season that has gone south for VT, Thursday night’s game gives the Hokies a chance at redemption.  If they can beat the top team in the ACC it would give them some much-needed momentum heading into the crucial home stretch.  Becoming bowl eligible is the goal in Blacksburg now, the only goal, and it starts tomorrow night.

What to Watch for

Florida State is legit.  Not as legitimate as say, Alabama, but they’ve proven themselves to be the class of the ACC.   Quarterback E.J. Manuel is in the top-three for ACC player of the year as he leads one of the most efficient offenses in the country.  In their last three games the Seminoles have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 44 to 11.  So, the Hokies will have their hands full trying to match up with the Nole’s pressure packages on defense and play makers on offense.  While this game has the potential to be Tech’s signature win of the season there’s also a feeling that, judging by the Hokies recent play, this game could turn ugly quickly.

Stop hitting yourself…To say the Hokies have a habit of beating themselves would be a massive understatement.  Last week they out gained Miami 421 to 327, had more first downs, a better 3rd down percentage, and won time of possession, but because of a blocked punt, kickoff return for a TD, and poor red zone efficiancy they lost the game 30-12.  Suffice it to say, if VT took better care of the ball and was able to finish more drives with a TD, they’d be ranked and this game against FSU would carry national implications.  Instead, the Hokies have lost five games do to their own mistakes.

Prediction

Last week I predicted a shoot-out loss to Miami.  It turned out VT left their offense at home as they could hardly muster ten measly points.  Almost every week this season I’ve incorrectly predicted the outcome of these games, but like the Hokies I aim to finish the season strong and become bowl eligible myself.

I expect the Noles to be amped for a true road game, the Hokies to be playing like a team with nothing to lose (because…they have nothing to lose), and Lane Stadium to be the loudest place in VA come kickoff.  Still, the Noles are too talented and the Hokies wont be mentally tough enough to rebound once they fall down a few scores.

FSU 38 – VT 20

After such a tumultuous first eight games of the season who would’ve thought that the Virginia Tech Hokies (4-4, 2-2 in the ACC) would still be in position to make a run at the ACC Championship game?  Furthermore, the Canes from Miami (4-4, 3-2 in the ACC) have had just as, if not more of a rocky first eight games of 2012.  Both teams have lost games they should have won, both have won close and late, and most importantly both squads are full of talented young players still trying to put everything together. 

 With a win VT will put themselves in contention to win the Coastal as long as they win their last four games (all ACC games: Miami, FSU, BC, and UVA).  A loss will all but eliminate the Hokies.  Miami has, without a doubt, played a much harder schedule than the Hokies (with losses to both # 3 KSU and #4 Notre Dame).  They’ve also put themselves in the mix to win the division, if they can win out (last four games: VT, UVA, USF, Duke).  Needless to say, this is a very important game for both teams.

This will be the first of two straight Thursday night games for Virginia Tech, they’ll host Florida State up in Blacksburg next Thursday.  For now, they’ll head down to Miami to try and keep their slim championship hopes alive.  After getting squashed by Clemson 38-17 in their last game the Hokies will hope to come out and show some signs of rhythm on offense and a mean-streak on D.  This has not been the same Hokie aura that the ACC and Hokie fans have gotten used to over the last ten or so seasons.  They’ve been dominated at the point of attack, anemic on offense, and even bad on special teams (almost sacrilege in Hokie Country). 

I’ve said it each and every big game this season (the Hokies have only won one, maybe two tough games this season: GT in OT and the comeback against Duke): if the Hokies aim to be more than an alsoran this season they need to step up and make a statement in primetime.  Winning at Miami on Thursday night would be a great start.

What to Watch For

Logan, Logan, Logan…For lack of a better term Logan Thomas has been…bad this season.  At the end of the day his stats will suggest he played better than he really did in most games.  He’s been inaccurate and indecisive, all the while under constant pressure from opposing defenses.  VT won games on his arm and legs last year.  Yes he had a better team around him with more play makers, but that shouldn’t excuse his fall from grace this year.  If the Hokies are to stand any chance of turning their season around it will start and end with Thomas.  Look for him to either play HUGE in a win tonight, or struggle in a loss.

Prediction: The Hokies will keep it close through the third quarter, but Miami makes just enough plays down the stretch to win a close game; thus ending once and for all the Hokies chances at a trip to the Chip.

Miami 42 - VT 33

The Washington Wizards fell in their first outing of the season, the first game of the season in the NBA, Halloween Eve in Cleveland to the young Cavs, 94-84.  Long-time thorn in the Wizards side, Anderson Varejao, had a career night Tuesday.  He finished the game a point and an assist shy of his first triple double, along with a career high in rebounds: 9 points, 9 assists, 23 rebounds.  Reigning ROY Kyrie Irving added 29 points and now the Wizards (0-1) head home against Boston looking for their first win of the season.

Without their top two players (John Wall and Nene) for the foreseeable future, this new squad of Wizards players will need to find more consistent scoring and more urgent defense in the coming weeks to win.  Jamal Crawford led the Wizards in scoring with 11 points, many other Wizards contributed in the close loss, but 11 for your teams leading scorer is not going to cut it.

Andy Varejao had a career night as he continues to annoy and pester Wizards fans

The Wiz were out rebounded 54-39 (in large part because of Varejao’s performance), they shot a putrid 8/32 from 3-point land, missed eight free throws, and still managed to hold the lead midway through the fourth quarter.  All of this without the aforementioned Wall and Nene, along with young front court player Kevin Seraphin.  This rag-tag group of young and new role players will have to find a way to ban together and steal a few games in the early part of the season. 

Head Coach Randy Wittman won his job in large part because of what his players said in exit-interviews following last season.  They told ownership and GM Ernie Grunfeld how Wittman’s defensive principles and coaching style fit well with personnel, how the young guys in the locker room were ready to follow him this season; with so much of his teams talent sidelined due to injury the first month of this season is sure to be the biggest challenge for Wittman in his tenure with the Wizards.  Can he keep this team competitive night-in and night-out (a problem last season)?

With the first game in the books there is definite room for improvement, especially the back court.  Starters A.J. Price (Wall’s backup and career role player) and rookie Bradley Beal (3rd overall pick in this years draft) shot a combined 4/12 from the field; that has to improve.  Newly acquired Trevor Ariza was the only new Wizards player who played well enough to highlight: 9 points, 3 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, a truly eclectic first game as a member of the Wiz/Bullets.

So, we wait until Saturday for any improvements to the lineup, any changes in the team approach.  The NBA season has officially started!  If you’re a fan of one of the contending teams this season, rejoice!  Fans of my beloved Wizards and other teams trapped in lottery hell, rest easy.  There will be a few teams that surprise and a few teams that disappoint.  I wouldn’t be too surprised if one of these two team (Wizards and Cavs) doesn’t end up in the playoff hunt when it’s all said and done.

Coming Up: Home opener vs. Boston Saturday, @ Boston next Wednesday, vs. Bucks next Friday

Notes:

• After last season’s hectic lockout schedule it’s going to take some time for me to get used to less basketball.  I got so accustomed games every single night last season, it’ll take some getting used to for sure.
• Cav’s owner, Dan Gilbert, officially recanted what he said conserning LeBron not winning a title until after the the city of Cleveland Tuesday saying, “Looking back now that probably was not the most brilliant thing I’ve ever done in my life.”  You don’t say…

After another loss, this time a 38-17 mistake-filled slug fest at Clemson, the 4-4 Virginia Tech Hokies find themselves in a unique position.  Yes, they’re having one of those seasons that the fans, coaching staff, and players will all hope to forget as soon as possible, but somehow there is still hope.  Hope to make it to yet another ACC Championship game, hope that this team has yet to reach it’s full potential, hope against hope that even in a down year VT is still the class of the ACC.

The Hokies went in to Clemson knowing the odds were stacked against them.  A win would’ve vaulted them back into the conversation in the ACC, a loss would put them in uncharted territory.  Logan Thomas threw for 207 yards, rushed for another 99, and accounted 3 total TD’s (and 2 INT’s).  The Hokie D would hold the usually unstoppable Clemson offense to 295 (230 yards less then their season average).  They’d hold Clemson QB Tahj Boyd to pedestrian numbers, 12/21 for 160 yards with a TD and a pick (20 carries for 27 yards and 2 TD’s as well), but as the game went on Clemson was the team that made the plays to win.

We could talk about the turnovers by Logan Thomas, the worst of which a bad ball that sailed on him almost immediately.  That ball would end up in Clemson CB Jonathan Meeks hands for a pick-six, one of his two interceptions on the day.  We could talk about the offensive line, which again struggled to protect Thomas; at this point Thomas looks so uncomfortable in the pocket changes will need to made in his preparation and protection schemes just to settle him back down.  We could talk about the defense’s struggles, but not on this day; the D has clearly not played up to the Hokie standard to date, but they were not the problem on Saturday even after giving up 38 points.

When it was all said and done, VT ran 12 more plays, out gained the Tigers 406 to 295, and made eight more first downs; yet still managed to lose by three touchdowns.

Lack of execution, turnovers, and poor decision making at the least opportune times have led to this 4-4 record (2-2 record in-conference); the most remarkable thing is that this team has yet to be eliminated from an ACC Championship berth or a ACC Coastal Division crown!

Having already beaten fellow Coastal Division stalwart Georgia Tech and with UNC banned from post season play, with a win a week from Thursday at Miami Virginia Tech would find themselves playing either Clemson or FSU in the ACC title game at the end of November.  So, the string of 10-win seasons has been snapped (if Tech win’s out, including the winning Discover Orange Bowl, they’ll win 10 games but that’s very unlikely), but a spot in the title game is still, shockingly, up for grabs.

There’s a silver lining to every season, even bad ones like this one, and the chance to play spoiler at the end of the year under the bright lights is definitely something to look forward to.  The Hokies now have over a week to prepare for their Super Bowl, at Miami on November 1st.  Let’s see if the Hokies can get up and claim a stake in the conference they’ve owned over the past decade.

UP Next: @ Miami Thursday, November 1st @ 7:30

Payback is the key word for the Hokies this week.

Payback for two games lost last season, the Hokies only losses before the bowl game.  Payback for two second halves where the Hokies were outscored 41-0.  Payback for a lost chance at another ACC championship.  And during an up-and-down season for Virginia Tech, a chance at payback, a little redemption will go a long way.

#14 Clemson (5-1, 2-1 in ACC) has one of the most explosive offenses in the country.  QB Tahj Boyd leads the ACC in passing yards per game with 291.  RB Andre Ellington leads the ACC in yards per game and WR DeAndre Hopkins is first in the ACC with 777 receiving yards.  Not to mention sophomore Sammy Watkins, a breakout star last season, is still getting in shape after missing games due to illness and suspension.  Once Watkins gets his game going there’s no telling how high the Clemson offense can soar.

If you’re reading this blog then you’re well aware of how the Hokies have struggled on both offense and defense this season.  They’re a middle-of-the-pack statistical team so far and even after exploding against Duke (41 straight points after falling behind 20-0) this team understands how they have to play to stay with the Tigers.

What to Watch For

•  How the hell will the Hokie D even attempt to slow down the Clemson offense?  The 13th ranked offense nationally is averaging a staggering 525 yards per game and 41.3 points a game (12th nationally in that department)!  By comparison the Hokie offense is 69th nationally with 398 yards per game and 58th with 30.7 points per game.  So, we know where Clemson holds the biggest advantage, now how will VT adjust their D?  Watch for an aggressive defense early in the game, taking chances and bringing extra guys on blitzes.  The Hokies will need to create some chaos within the Clemson offense to stand any chance.
• After starting last season 8-0, the bottom fell out for the Tigers in their last six games (they would limp 2-4 finish, including the 70-33 demolition by WVU in the Orange Bowl).  So, Clemson has a history of fading down the stretch in recent years, why not start the fade now?  The upset minded Hokies will surely know all about the Tigers inability to close games and seasons strong and will look to find a mental advantage there.  This game could get out of hand early, but if it’s close late watch for which team seems more collected.
• The comeback against Duke was both impressive and necessary for VT last week.  A loss would’ve put them at 3-4 for the season and 1-2 in AAC play.  The win hopefully woke up the inconsistent VT offense and breathed some life into the worse than normal D.  If the Hokies were looking for a marquee game, this is it.  Can they use the momentum they built in the comback last week and come out of this game winners?  Or was last week an aberration and this team is destined for mediocrity?  For better or worse we will know exactly who the Hokies are after this game.

Prediction: Clemson 42 – VT 35

Eleven minutes into the game it all looked over for the Hokies.  The 2012 season, which started with a promising OT win over rival Georgia Tech, had started to tumble out of control with losses to Pitt, Cincy, and just last week a beat down at the hands of UNC.  With Duke coming into Blacksburg, the Hokies and their fans knew how important the game was.  VT needed a win, not just to get over .500 on the season but to gain confidence and momentum as they prepare for the tough stretch in their schedule.  So, when the Blue Devils jumped on top 20-0 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter things looked bleak.

Then something happened…the Hokies would go on to score 41 straight points and win: 41-20

The Hokie offense woke up from it’s five week long slumber.  Logan Thomas led the Hokies down the field twice before the end of the first half (throwing down field to Marcus Davis to set up a short run for the first TD, then connecting with Davis on a 42-yard strike for the other), a Cody Journell field goal would make the score 20-17 Duke at the half, but you could feel the momentum shift; the Hokies were ready to roll.

What ensued after halftime was something out of last season’s script for Virginia Tech: explosive plays on offense, stiffling defense and special teams, and finally VT showed the ability to run the football with great success.

Thomas finished the game 14/23 for 256 yards and 2 TD’s, RB J.C. Coleman showed his amazing speed on two long runs (45 & 86), finishing the game with 183 yards and 2 TD’s, and WR Marcus Davis had his best game of the season, grabbing five catches for 144 yards and 2 TD’s.

After weeks of inconsistent offense and porous defense the Hokies finally put together the type of performance we know they’re capable of, albeit against Duke.  The game itself, once VT go into a rhythm and took Duke out of their own rhythm, was a bit of a laugh-er, another first this season. 

“I think our bubble burst.  It hurts today.  It hurts a lot.” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said after the game.  He had Duke off to their best start since the ’94 season, but now with the ACC schedule well underway it’ll be an uphill battle for the Blue Devils to improve on their 5-1 start.

For Tech they need to keep improving, which could be a problem as the news that starting center Andrew Miller will be out for the remainder of the season with tears and breaks in his ankle.  Miller was the only returning starter on the O-line for VT, and with all of the problems the offense and O-line have had through the early part of the season an injury is the last thing this offense needed.

Still, the team improved to 4-3 (2-1 in ACC play) and as they prepare to travel to Clemson this coming Saturday they have to feel better about themselves.  Clemson beat this team twice last season, VT may not be in the running for a BCS bowl bid but they can definitely do damage in the ACC for the remainder of the season.  Let’s see which Virginia Tech team shows up at Clemson: the team that fought GT for every yard in week one, the team that had no identity weeks two through five, or the team that actually moved the ball with urgency against Duke.

Time will tell if this is a turning point for the season, but it’s nice to feel good once in a while.

UP NEXT: @ #19 Clemson (5-1, 2-1 ACC) 12:00 PM, Saturday Oct. 20th