Right now I'm holding ticket number 74 and the deli is NOW SERVING 55. Be right back, I'm going to grab a Diet Coke, do a few laps around the store, gawk at the people cashing in their beer cans for nickels, and play some scratch-off tickets. 100 days is almost a manageable wait. When the weather cools in October, I always regret hurrying along summer. I enjoy the hell out of golf, sipping cocktails on a rooftop, and BBQs, but they're a small sacrifice to the god of the fall.

In my head, I keep thinking about what Tech needs to do to win, and right now my conclusions are based off the game in 2009. That contest will have very little to do with the outcome on 8/31, but it's fun to play what if. I walked out of The Dome that night thinking the Hokies were in arms reach of Alabama. A couple of fourth quarter stops by the defense, and a few more first downs by the offense and the Maroon and Orange might have preempted The Tide's dynasty.

None of us have forgotten Ryan Williams' 32-yard touchdown run, or his strength to punch it in from the one-yard-line.

Ru had the only offensive performance to remember (and he only carried the ball 13 times). Reading the o-line's grades was a sad trip down memory lane. No one graded out higher than 84%, which doesn't seem believable given the Newsome Curve. Five sacks, consistent pressure, and a young supporting cast didn't make Tyrod's job any easier, but Taylor still hadn't developed into the efficient passer we would watch in 2010.

Can Trey Edmunds have a better game than Williams? Will the coaches stick with the run? Will the offensive line be able to master the zone scheme, matchup with Bama's 3-4, and protect Logan Thomas? Will LT3 be able to convert first downs with his arm, especially when it matters in the fourth quarter?

Watching Alabama grind Foster's defense to a nub was depressing. Very few first downs by Tech's offense (11, half of 'Bama), led to a 22:58–37:02 time of possession defeat, backups playing more than they were ready to, and 498 Crimson Tide yards. The defense needed to rattle Greg McElroy and didn't. McElroy eluded pressure well (sacked just twice), and made timely throws.

After spring ball, I feel really good about the defense. Whip is probably the thinnest position, but given the talent in the secondary, Kyle Fuller probably takes over there in the event of an injury. Last season we saw Foster load the box and attack more. Again this year he'll have the talent, especially upfront, to create havoc and force mistakes.

We have 100 days of summer ahead of us, whereas both teams have just over 3 months of work. Is Alabama hungry for a three-peat, will the Hokies dedicate themselves in weight training and conditioning like never before? I can't wait to find out.

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