A Call To Arms: Virginia Tech vs. Boston College

Talk about unexpected.

There are few out there who can claim that in the pre-season they expected Boston College to be ranked second in the nation when they’d roll into Blacksburg in late October.

The Eagles, under first year head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, surely one of the most unknown coaches in college football, come to Blacksburg sporting a potent offense and an experienced winner in quarterback Matt Ryan.

But that’s not what you the fans should be concerned with. Let Bud Foster’s defense, ranked 13th in the land in total defense, worry about Matt Ryan who ranks 6th nationally in passing, completing over 63 percent of his passes for 2,148 yards and 17 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions.

The Eagles come in ranked 16th in the nation in total offense, a stark comparison to the Hokies who rank 112th overall; one spot behind the Duke Blue Devils who they defeated two weekends ago and just 7 spots ahead of dead last Notre Dame.

Leave that to Chris Ellis and Xavier Adibi.

It will be a familiar scene when the Hokies take on BC in a nationally televised game on ESPN.

Tech and BC have made a habit of meeting on Thursday evenings, including last season’s 22-3 debacle in Chestnut Hill when the Hokies were completely outplayed.

Virginia Tech has an impeccable record on Thursday nights, but the Eagles are the only team to have success against Tech on what has become a sacred night in the hearts of Hokie Nation.

BC beat the Hokies 20-14 in Blacksburg to start Tech’s 1995 campaign 0-1. That remains the Techmen’s only loss at home on a Thursday night ESPN broadcast and BC’s win last year is both Tech’s only road loss on Thursday and their only conference road loss since joining the ACC.

So why the call to arms? It’s an automatic win right?

Wrong.

On a Monday broadcast of the Mike Tirico Show on ESPN Radio Jeff Jagodzinski said, “…the fans will not be a factor,” referring to the coming game in Blacksburg. He dug his hole deeper when he added, “We just came from Notre Dame, the crowd will not effect us.”

Do you hear that Hokie fans? A sadly misinformed man has challenged you.

I’ve personally been to both facilities and an afternoon game at Notre Dame Stadium pales in comparison to the ear-blistering jet engine noise of a Thursday night game in Lane Stadium.

I’m not the only one all riled up over Jagodzinski’s comments. Many have heeded the call of a post on the Techsideline.com football message board.It urges fans to claim what’s theirs, the title of loudest fans in football. The Fervor has even spawned a Facebook group called “Lane Stadium is going to make you DEAF Jagodzinski”.

There has been a sense of apathy growing amongst the Virginia Tech fan base. I dare say the Hokie Nation has been resting on their collective laurels for much of this season.

It’s time to quit living off the sterling reputation that Lane Stadium and the Hokie faithful have earned and start living up to it.

This will be only the third game in Lane Stadium history featuring two top 10 teams. The Outback blimp will be hovering high above. The Hokie players will be in all-maroon uniforms and the crowd of over 66,000 will be awash with Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange. Millions will be watching, and it’s up to you to make them see the true colors of the Hokie Nation.

Bring your A-game and make it 60 minutes of adrenalin pumping, soul-shaking fury. It needs to be the kind of loud where you can’t hear the person next to you or the thoughts in your own head.

From the tallest tower of Lane Stadium’s west side to the deepest roots of Worsham Field, make it your duty to strike fear in the heart of the enemy and shake the Blue Ridge to its very core.

You do make a difference. So be loud. I’ll see you out there.