Comcast / Fox Sports Net

Virginia...well...who knows?  Optimism still abounds in the early stages of Le r�gne de Groh.  They've got paper talent, but it's woefully young.  So young, in fact, that much of it is still at Fork Union!  This could be a loooooooooooong year in Hooville.  Picked 8th in the ACC media poll, a winning record would be a real accomplishment for this squad.  Too bad they're going to have to wait until September to get started...
 

ESPN

Fresno State had their day in the sun, and now they're back to being just another ho-hum WAC team.  Much of what was a very good offense is gone now, and that will take some time to replace.  Pat Hill is a good coach tho, and he'll have his Bulldogs contending in the WAC again ... just don't expect any noise on a national scale.

Oh, and Wisconsin has a score to settle...
 

ESPN

Arizona State is still struggling for an identity under 2nd year coach Dirk Koetter.  There are a ton of question marks on both sides of the ball, and it will be a struggle even for a bowl game this year.
 

ABC

Ohio State is loaded.  Everywhere.  Well everywhere except QB.  Still if they can get past Texas Tech it will be the middle of October before they face another serious threat.  That's plenty of time to establish someone under center, and the Bucks could shoot at an MNC if things break right for them.
 

New Mexico should be a good case study for the differences between the ACC and the Mountain West.  They're remarkably similar to UVA this year, with some good young talent at way too many key positions.  They lack depth and they lack experience.  They play a WAC schedule though, and .500 is a reasonable expectation.
 

ESPN+

Some folks seem to be down on this as an opening game ... and I'll admit it's somewhat of a stinker.  But you know what?  It think that's perfect!

See, next weekend we host LSU.  It's going to be ... quite simply ... HUGE.  That means the tailgate has to count.  We need to walk into that stadium and collectively be just a hair's breadth away from mob hysteria.  There will be no time for working out the kinks with the tailgate grill.  No place for "So how's the new baby?" or "Did you hear that so-and-so got married?".  No chance to make a bookstore run to pick up something inadvertently left at home.  No sir.  Not for me.  I've got work to do.

So that's what this game is for.  Don't worry about ASU.  Find yourself a nice spot to park in for this year, and say "hi" to those tailgate buddies it's been so long since you last saw in person.  Stop by the Tech Bookstore to buy a new Gobble Shaker or pick up a few new T-shirts.  Play a relaxing game of beer pong.  Listen to Bill and Mike's pregame show.  Get to the stadium early, walk around the South End Zone concourse if they'll let you, and see what there is to see.  Figure out the best way to smuggle your preferred libation to your seats.  Help the cheerleaders get their timing down with the "Let's Go!" ... "Hok-ies!" chant alternating from one side of the stands to the other.  Pull out your handy new roster and figure out who's who in this year's lineup.  Support our Hokies, but don't hurt yourself.  Reacclimate yourself to another fall of Hokie football in leisurely fashion, and have fun.

Just remember that next week ... next week is for real...