Report: Hokies vs. Broncos moved to Labor Day weekend 2010

It'll be the biggest season opener since 2009!

Nothing is for sure yet and sources are mysteriously anonymous, so don't go changing your travel plans or anything. Would you rather have the game on Labor Day or in October?

4 months ago Kevan Lee 33 comments 0 recs |

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Either way

I have a feeling both teams will be ranked high pre-season. If we have an early game, will it be forgotten as the season progresses (ala Oregon 2009)? If we have a game on week 5 with the Hokies, thus far, their opponents prior to us are:

Central Michigan (scheduled)
East Carolina (scheduled)
Unknown

If that unknown is another SEC team like Alabama this year, then this would be good. If they pick up an FCS team… meh. Although, perhaps they lose to East Carolina ala 2008 and then this big matchup is not so big anymore.

Overall?…. I suppose I’d take the Labor Day weekend. I mean, we’ll be better on our game on Oct. 2nd than we will on Sept. 4th (or whatever the dates are), but any potential that Va Tech gets from pre-season polls will give us a HUGE boost in the first polls (if we win), before Va Tech has a chance to muff their prestige up (as ACC teams typically do).

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Oct 28, 2009 11:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I'd still prefer the later date

due to the point you make about Oregon, namely the short-term memory loss of pollsters. Is it better if they beat a higher-ranked VT team early in the season or a lower-ranked VT (that still has the BCSAQ tag) later in the season? Based on TCU’s perceived strength of schedule just by playing bad BCSAQ teams, I’d take the latter.

by appleshampoo on Oct 28, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What if the Broncos lose against VaTech on Labor Day?

They’d have all season to make reparations, like TCU tried to do last season. Think that should matter at all?

"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis

by Kevan Lee on Oct 28, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly hadn't even considered it.

Shows how spoiled we are when we assume an undefeated season when considering hypothetical scheduling dates!

But to your point, it seems like it’s easier to build back credibility from an early loss than it is to maintain credibility from an early win when it is one of your few quality opponents. But I’m not a poll expert in anyway. I think I’d still take the later date, but that adds a wrinkle. Honestly I don’t think the difference is going to be that huge.

by appleshampoo on Oct 28, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Win or lose against Virginia Tech...

we still have an opportunity against Oregon State to bolster our resume.

"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."

by Dr. Jrig on Oct 28, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am a little mixed..

For personal travel reasons, I would prefer the Labor Day date.

Since the Broncos will likely already have a good pre-season ranking, I like the later date for a chance to boost the Broncos five weeks into the year.

The team will be very experienced, so I don’t think there is a need for tune-up games, so I think the early date gives the Broncos a better chance at victory.

"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."

by MKingery on Oct 28, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better chance of victory should be the bottom line

It’s interesting that the discussion is both “what date gives the Broncos a better chance to win” and “what date helps the Broncos the most in the polls/BCS.” It’s interesting and depressing.

Like Mikrino listed below, first-week games make me nervous, but seeing Boise State’s semi-regression from Oregon to Tulsa makes me wonder if an early season showdown isn’t all that bad. Does the memory of Georgia make you hesitate at all?

"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis

by Kevan Lee on Oct 28, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does the memory of Georgia make you hesitate at all?

Yes. A crushing defeat at the beginning of the season would be bad. I think it could ruin the whole season, lead to horrible, otherwise improbable things like losing to Idaho or Fresno St.

However, a close loss would probably not be bad — maybe no BCS bowl, but still play well for the rest of the season, like what happened after the Washington loss.

by marktgarten on Oct 28, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the other hand

If the Broncos deserve to be ranked among the nations elite why should we fear them opening up the season against a BCS team?

"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."

by Dr. Jrig on Oct 28, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's True

but there’s a reason why USC scheduled San Jose St. and tOSU scheduled Navy for their opening games and not each other.

by marktgarten on Oct 28, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Georgia 2005

Moore =/= Zabranksy

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Oct 28, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

We have to throw out the Z years. We have something better.

"I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass."

by Belexes on Oct 28, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i like early date

we seem to play better early, aka oregon this year, than we do first of October. I like the new date.

by bsudayas on Oct 28, 2009 11:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How fast we forget the 2005 season.

Or 2007, Washington Sept. 8th.

Or 2003, Oregon State Sept. 20th.

Or 2002, Arkansas Sept. 7th.

Or 2001, South Carolina Sept. 1st and Washington Sept. 8th, AT HOME!!

Or 2000, Arkansas Sept. 16th.

Or 1999, UCLA Sept. 4th.

I think you get the idea… play the game in October.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Oct 28, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

How fast we forget the 2005 season.

About as fast as it took Jared Zabransky to forget how to function.

"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis

by Kevan Lee on Oct 28, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the earlier date will help us more, if the broncos can beat Va tech in D.C. and Oregon State in Boise in the same month it’ll set the standard we’re the team to beat among the non AQ’s. TCU plays Baylor and Texas Tech, Utah plays Notre Dame and Iowa State, and BYU plays Washington and Florida State. Either way if the games played in October or September we’ll have the hardest schedule, but if we play on labor day that gives the broncos three weeks in between instead of one.

by KsigBronco on Oct 28, 2009 11:53 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Utah and BYU’s schedule.

TCU’s schedule.

Boise State’s Schedule.
http://www.broncosports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=48555&SPID=4061&DB_OEM_ID=9900&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2010

by KsigBronco on Oct 28, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

shit that didn’t work

by KsigBronco on Oct 28, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Labor Day

I like the new date.

"I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass."

by Belexes on Oct 28, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VTech a slow starter

Play them early. Later in the year they might not play so nice.

by MeanBobMean on Oct 28, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Later please

season openers for any team can be very tough. I’d rather it be the 3rd or 4th game so we wont have people calling our win a fluke like i have heard about the Oregon game.

*Perfection is our goal, excellence will be tolerated*

by BroncocnorB on Oct 28, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That is true

Good point.

by MeanBobMean on Oct 28, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

October.

I would it rather be this time of year.

Just so it would be tougher on all the naysayers when the Broncos win.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Oct 28, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thats what I’m talking bout

*Perfection is our goal, excellence will be tolerated*

by BroncocnorB on Oct 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nobody has mentioned...

possibly losing before the va tech game if we play them after oregon state. Oregon State will be tough even in Boise. I would rather play Virginia Tech first so the game will have more significance and put us on the national stage. Good chance that gameday will come week 1 if we are both top 10/12 teams. If we do beat Va Tech, I think that makes it easier to focus on Oregon State later with no other huge games lurking. That’s my take.

by Finloopio on Oct 28, 2009 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

OCTOBER

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Oct 28, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d rather the Broncos face a 4-0 or 5-0 ranked Hokie team, than a ranked Hokie team to open the season. letting them build steam and anticipation will be great for next year’s SOS. Especially when the Broncos win. BCS ranking will be coming out around that time and fresh a huge road win, Boise State will be emblazoned on every episode of Sportscenter. I can’t wait.

Either way, if both teams are ranked in the TOP10, Gameday should be there.

Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)

by Mikrino on Oct 28, 2009 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs