We're nearing the end of the summer doldrums, but we've still got a little time before the Hokies reconvene to prepare to take on the Boise State Broncos. As a way to prep and get excited, I'm going to look at the 2010 schedule and rate the games from a few different angles. Today, I'll look at my own excitement level for leading up to each game and determine the most fun I'll have with each matchup. I'm going to rank these 1-12 and I'll give them a tailgate rating as well.

1. Georgia Tech (Thursday, November 4th)- I know a lot of people are pumped about Boise State coming to the nation's capital, but in actuality, that game only has bearing on our national perception and national title hopes. Like a lot of Hokie fans, my expectations are a bit tempered considering we have a young defense and an unproven offensive line, so I'm looking at this game from an ACC standpoint. First of all, I really hate Georgia Tech. I hate Calvin Johnson, I hate Paul Johnson's gimmicky offense, and I hate Georgia Tech fans that consider Frank Beamer a joke because of his complaints about illegal chop blocks last season. The thing that would make me feel better than any this season would be stomping out the stupid bumble bees and reminding them who's boss in the ACC Coastal, especially on a Thursday night. Considering that I already have this penciled in as a long weekend off of work and our Hokies will be hitting their most important stretch of the season, I will certainly be jacked up for this one.

**Bonus- If you go over to the AJC's website, GT fans are using Al Groh's 3-4 defense as a major reason why they will WIN this game. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

Whew. That's better.

Tailgater's Rating: 5 Bourbon Shots

2. Boise State (Monday, September 6th)- I forfeited my Redskins season tickets this year, so this will be my only trek up to everyone's least favorite stadium in the land. While FedEx offers nothing as far as venue character, it does offer seating capacity that pushes toward the 100,000 range, and serves the region that holds the largest group of Virginia Tech alumni in the country.  I couldn't go the USC game in 2004, so I can't wait to see how loud Hokie Nation can make that place in person. Boise is considered to be one of the top three or four teams in the country and returns a group that's about as experienced as possible. This game should be HIGHLY competitive and have major national implications. On top of that, it will be great to tailgate with that many folks to kickoff the season AND to enjoy Dan Snyder's fancy new HD video screens. Tailgater's Rating: 4 1/2 Bourbon Shots

3. @Miami (Saturday, November 20th)- This game could be the last major hurdle in an ACC/National Championship run during the regular season. The Hokies will have to show up BIG TIME in South Florida in order to fend off the bloodthirsty 'Canes. I know, I know...Miami's always on the rise. But in all seriousness, this game can be frustrating (2008), exciting (2006), infuriating (2005), or nailbiting (2004). All of those possibilities make this one a must-watch. Tailgater's Rating: 4 Bourbon Shots

4. @North Carolina (Saturday, November 13th)- The meat in the oh-so-difficult November schedule sandwich for the Hokies, this one should be a lot of fun. Granted, it's in Chapel Hill, and no person down there should really care about football, so the atmosphere suffers a bit. In all seriousness, UNC should be really solid this year, and those powder blue jokes beat us at our own game on Thursday night last year. UNC always plays the Hokies tough and considering that Tech is going strength against strength in this one (Tyrod and the O vs. a stingy Tar Heel D), this could be a long night. If we win, this quick road trip down to Tobacco Road could be pretty fun for all the Maroon and Orange-clad travellers. Tailgater's Rating: 4 Bourbon Shots

5. James Madison (Saturday, September 11th)- Don't completely kill me for this one guys. Seriously. My wife graduated from JMU, and like any Dukes' spouse, I have to listen to all of her friends talk about JMU's highly-lucrative national championship (circa-2004) and how great their band is. In fairness, the MRDs are really good, and I root for the Dukes when they aren't playing Tech. Unfortunately, I can't take any more crap from my JMU buddies, and I'd like to remind them of the pecking order in Virginia football. JMU hasn't scored on Tech since 1992 (being outscored 90-0 in that span) and it would be nice to see the Hokies keep up the dominance...if not for the standings, at least for my bragging rights. Tailgater's Rating: 3 Bourbon Shots

6. @Boston College (Saturday, September 25th)- What's that you say? We aren't playing BC on a Thursday night AGAIN?! Awesome. Let's go up to Beantown and show their two hundred fans (that chose not to watch the Red Sox that night) how real men play football. This one has a little more intrigue with Herzlich, but really, it's BC, and I hate them. Tailgater's Rating: 1 Beer for every Matt Ryan/Doug Flutie reference

7. Virginia (Saturday, November 27th)- Honestly, this one only ranks this high on the list because it's UVa. They've got a new coaching staff and haven't been truly competitive in the rivalry for a while. Even when the 'Hoos have managed to keep things close, it's seemed that Bud Foster has just been toying with their hopes and dreams. Anyway, this one goes out to all the brave Wahoos who decide to show up at Lane after starting the season 2-9. This should be like Maryland last year...Tailgater's Rating: 2 Bourbon Shots, 1 Zima keg for your lame UVa friend.

8. East Carolina (Saturday, September 18th)- They beat us two years ago and we will punish them for the next twenty years as a result. Too much purple in consecutive weeks, but they do have some pretty coeds. Tailgater's Rating: 2 Shots of Captain Morgan

9. @NC State (Saturday, October 2nd)- Over/Under on how many dudes Ryan Williams can carry into the end zone: Three. We are the Wolfpack Club! Tailgater's Rating: 1 1/2 Bourbon Shots

10. Wake Forest (Saturday, October 16th)- It's homecoming, so I guess that's something. Does Riley Skinner still have eligibilitiy? Is the 2006? Next. Tailgater's Rating: 1 Bourbon Shot

11. Duke (Saturday, October 23rd)- Teabag Paulus CLAP CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP. Tailgater's Rating: 1 Glass of Red Wine, Pinkies Up!

12. Central Michigan (Saturday, October 9th)- These guys play in the MAC, right? Maybe we can make some jokes about...eh whatever. Not worth it. Tailgater's Rating: Stay at home and drink.

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Comments (5)

HokieUmp said:

	Whoa whoa whoa..... "Still hate you Dave McKee"??? Really?? Step carefully there, Miz. Some of your readers are former MVs. Such as myself, for example, and I don't think I much care for that part of your post. In fact, it's enough to make me think you're a closet fan of Brian Stinespring, since we're throwing fightin' words around.
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July 25, 2010
Votes: +0

The Miz said:

@HokieUmp Let me clarify. First of all I love the MVs and I have a lot of friends that are current band members as well as former ones. I am going to pull that comment down because the wording makes me sound anti-MVs/VT Music, and that's certainly not what I'm going for. I also didn't intend to air out my own personal laundry with Dave on the blog, so I'll pull it down and keep my clarification short (you're more than welcome to e-mail me if you're that upset about it...believe me, I don't want to piss off my fellow Hokies). I know a lot of people love Dave, but I personally didn't have the best time working with him. I enjoyed having him as a conductor during the school year, but I did not always enjoy working with Dave the person behind the scenes. I was disappointed in his willingness to pressure students into doing certain things (like the Stick-It-In incident) and felt that pressure myself in one situation which really caused me to sour on him. It's nothing against the band program that I loved to serve. From now on, I'll keep that personal issue to myself. If I've offended any current or former MVs, I'm sorry. Keep on doin' what you guys do best out there...rocking out!

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July 26, 2010
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USC Troy said:

... "National Implications"....ha. Only VT fans think any of those games have national implications for the Hokies. Face it, the football team IS the best thing in Blacksburg, but it's just a top 20 team. Every time Tech breaks into the top ten on their name, a legit top ten team sets them straight. Keep playing JMU and ECU and bragging about your record. Your team is decent, no doubt, and the only thing a Hokie has, but lets keep reality in play.

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July 26, 2010
Votes: -1

FFODC Admin said:

... Those are big words there Troy. Considering that our school only one of two with at least ten wins over the last six seasons, I think we're a little better than a top twenty team. Furthermore, your Trojans just got slapped with sanctions for basically fielding a professional team. I understand that the allegations only surround Reggie Bush, but for anyone to consider USC to have legitimate national championships over the alst decade is kidding themselves. Without Reggie in 2004, you wouldn't have even won your first game, let alone gone undefeated. It's obvious you've never been to Blacksburg either, or you would understand the great things that come along with being a Hokie, especially outside of football. If you didn't see that on April 16th, 2007, you're either cold-hearted or you have your head in the sand.

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July 26, 2010
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