Greg's Grades 2021: Virginia Tech

7 Comments

1. 

   AcousticHoo December 2, 2021 at 2:05 PM ET

   The fact is that we cannot line up and run the ball even in very short yardage situations. That means we can't keep the defense off the field by eating up more clock during our possessions. Crux of the matter, the running game is not good enough to deserve more chances at this point.
2. 

   wjo820913 December 2, 2021 at 11:07 AM ET

   Agree with Turk: defense gave up far too many "explosive plays".
   1. 

      Greg December 2, 2021 at 3:24 PM ET

      That's true and that's obviously charted and included into the grades. But when I look at 24 points allowed (did not assign the the full 7 points to the defense after UVA's, late 1H pick and 53-yard Tech TD drive following), that would rank a defense among the top 35% in the NCAA out of 130 teams. Plus, the defense held Tech to 3 points in the final 25-minutes of the game, giving the offense plenty of time to get something done.
3. 

   Lomah December 2, 2021 at 9:35 AM ET

   Running backs get so few touches it seems unfair to grade them..At the beginning of the year CBM stated we have a great group of running backs yet we seldom saw them in action. There should be a grade for trick plays.
   1. 

      Greg December 2, 2021 at 3:26 PM ET

      I've felt that often this season. However, I also grade RB for pass-pro, run blocking, their part in the passing game (again, though limited), etc.
4. 

   turk December 2, 2021 at 8:24 AM ET

   Grades on defense way too high. Big play 7 points count just as much as a 75 six minute drive.
   1. 

      Greg December 2, 2021 at 3:43 PM ET

      Agreed, it does count the same and there were, and have been too many explosive plays in 2021. My question to you is this. The D gave 24 points (I did not assign a full TD for the 53-yard drive Tech had after UVA next to last drive of the 1H - since they were already 2 first downs from FG range.). They allowed 3 points in the last 25 minutes of the game. That's not a horrible game. It's not above average either. I think you're putting a heavier emphasis on the explosive plays not looking at the totality of the game. If 40 of Tech's 63 plays had been explosive but they never scored - should the defense be graded a C- or D? I don't care how many big plays a team has, as long as they are scoring FGs or nothing. Virginia's problem is they give up to many that end in the end zone. Tech only scored on one play over 20-yards.