It’s been one of those autumns in the area. Actually, fall is a more appropriate word.
Three months ago, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Virginia each had high hopes for 2015. Well, maybe not exactly high — but Coastal Division Titles in Blacksburg, bowl eligibility in College Park and not losing to Boise State by 42 in Charlottesville should not be out of the question.
Instead, one coach is fired and another is retired while the third is patenting his “twisting in the wind” moves.
Three seasons hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement. Oh, the humanity…
Friday–
#16 Navy (9-1, 7-0) visits Houston: The Cougars were talking “no respect!” as an unbeaten this month … until they lost to UConn. The winner goes to the first Annual American Athletic Conference (of America) Championship Game (of Champions). The last time these two played in a game of this magnitude was the 1980 Garden State Bowl: Houston was 6-5, Navy was 8-3 and the game was played at Giants Stadium.
It didn’t end well for the Mids (35-0 loss), but that was over a decade before Keenan Reynolds was born. Midshipmen cruise, 35-24.
Saturday–
Maryland (2-9, 0-7 Big Ten) at Rutgers: You could say the seeds to this season were planted last year in the Terps’ loss to the Scarlet Knights, a game where CJ Brown and company led 35-10 before collapsing.
Unlike snakebitten Indiana, Rutgers isn’t your most impressive 4-win team: Norfolk State, Kansas, Army West Point and Indiana are a combined 11-33. But they boast electric wide receiver Leonte Caroo: the senior averages almost 20 yards a catch and has TD grabs of 55, 56 and 58 yards this year. Not encouraging when one thinks of the Terps’ soft secondary.
The Terps rank 14th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency, and both quarterbacks Perry Hills (mono) and Caleb Rowe (concussion) are question marks for Saturday. Door #3 remains former fullback Shane Cockerille. Terrapins tumble, 36-30.
Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4 ACC) at Virginia (4-7, 3-4): Unfortunately on WTOP’s “Ask the Governor” this week with Mark Lewis and Debbie Feinstein, neither asked Terry McAuliffe which team he thought would win the Commonwealth Cup (evidently improving the highways and creating jobs takes precedence).
The Hokies clinch bowl eligibility with a victory … while the Cavaliers are staring at an 11-game losing streak to their in-state rivals. UVa allows the most points in the ACC, but the Cavaliers are also unbeaten at home in conference play.
Never mind those wins came against Syracuse, Georgia Tech and Duke (combined 5-17 in the league). Coach Frank Beamer makes his final visit to Charlottesville (for the record, Beamer’s 19-9 against UVa, 9-5 at Scott Stadium).
Kippy & Buffy wrap up their tailgating by toasting coach Beamer with a glass of King Family 2012 Meritage: “Concentrated on the nose, with a mélange of red and black berries, red plum and fern…a black pepper note rings on the finish” (Wine Enthusiast’s Alexander Peartree*). Perfect with Abbot’s Gold cheese on Bath Oliver crackers. Hokies make it happen, 28-21.
Last Week: 5-2.
Overall: 76-20.
*Of course Andrew Peartree is the Wine Enthusiast reviewer Kippy & Buffy refer to.
