WASHINGTON — Thanksgiving involves family, feasting and football – but not
necessarily in that order. Hopefully everyone had an opportunity to share
some time with loved ones — or even disliked ones that you’re mandated to
spend time with because of family ties.
What do area teams have to be thankful for this November? Maryland enjoyed a
major feast this fall with a first-ever win at Penn State plus a first-ever
win against Michigan (and in the Big House no less).
That is one huge turkey with multiple sides in the form of Will Likely
interceptions, Andre Monroe sacks and CJ Brown grit.
Virginia got to experience some nice hors d’oeuvres with solid performances
against UCLA and BYU plus a Coastal Division lead before starving itself over
the last month. Virginia Tech got nothing but gizzards and overcooked sides
before the Wake Forest game provided food poisoning (must have been something
in the gravy).
Navy gives us a fantastic dessert in the form of Keenan Reynolds. Despite the
less than stellar season the Midshipman Magician of a quarterback sends folks
home happy like an incredible piece of pumpkin pie. All I know is that after
everything I’ve had to digest this fall… I need a nap on the couch.
Maryland vs Rutgers
The Terps wrap up their first season inside the Big Ten by facing the other
“new kid in town” while reuniting with a familiar face. Ralph Friedgen
coached in College Park for 10 years, and after an extended vacation, paid
for in part by the University of Maryland, he’s back on the sidelines as the
Scarlet Knights offensive coordinator.
Rutgers’ first season in the Big Ten mostly mirrors Maryland’s — both losing
to Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State while playing one-possession games
with Penn State and Michigan. But the Scarlet Knights have dropped four of
five since getting off to a 5-1 start. A 5-1 start upon closer examination
that includes a three point win at last in the Pac-12 Washington State plus a
13 point victory over Howard.
Thank goodness Tulane was on the schedule. Saturday’s a big day at Byrd
Stadium because it’s a senior day for a group of kids that went from 2-10 to
two bowl appearances. After coach Randy Edsall’s first season at the helm a
lot of kids cut and run on his program. But those that stayed have succeeded.
Terps triumph, 35-13.
Virginia at Virginia Tech
Sometimes the glass is half-empty. Other times half-full. For the Hokies
faithful, there’s the agony of losing games to East Carolina and Georgia Tech
at home — plus the stinker they threw out there last Saturday at Wake Forest.
At 5-6 they need a win to become bowl-eligible and continue a postseason
streak that stretches back to 1993. But that means they have to experience
another 60 minutes of this team playing against a quality opponent in a less
than desirable location.
For the Cavaliers fans still working off the contact high of a senior day
triumph over Miami, there’s the ecstasy of watching their team exceed
expectations, however minimal those expectations may have been. They led the
Coastal Division for five minutes! They can go bowling by beating their
rivals!
Time for a dose of reality: UVa hasn’t beaten Tech since 2003 and hasn’t won
in Blacksburg since 1998. That’s pre-Michael Vick, boys and girls. Kippy and
Buffy can take consolation that Tony Bennett has a top-10 team on the court
preparing to invade College Park for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Hokies
earn themselves a few more weeks of not thinking about basketball, 27-20.
Navy faces South Alabama
Directional November continues for the Academy two weeks after crushing
Georgia Southern. In an odd scoreboard twist, websites will be posting a
“Navy-USA” result Saturday which seems kind of counterproductive. South
Alabama lost to Georgia Southern by 22 in September, so the transitive
property would say that it looks good for the visitors and the Mids have a
healthy Keenan Reynolds running at full speed. Bring on Army. Midshipmen
cruise, 34-19.
Richmond beats
Last Week: 4-5. Closing month? I’m not even close to sniffing a set of
steak knives.
Overall: 82-36.
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