I
went to bed last night just beyond midnight, and I tossed and turned until 1:30
AM, pondering the possibilities of Virginia Tech’s matchup with Boise State. The
opener at FedExField (note that it’s one word) is just one week away, and if
it’s keeping me up at night, I can only imagine what it’s doing to the Tech
players and coaches.

Things are building to a crescendo. It’s hard enough for us fans to stay calm
in the preseason, but when you take the regular August optimism and sprinkle in
unprecedented levels of confidence coming from the Tech coaching staff and
players, plus the highest preseason ranking ever and a high-profile opponent in
the opening, the mind starts to ponder the possibilities.

Those of you who have read my writings for years know that I’m not a national
championship guy. I think you should aim for it, and it’s nice to be in the
discussion, but the college football fates take so many twists and turns along
the way, and it’s such a difficult achievement, that I in no way base my
judgment of success or failure on whether or not the Hokies win a national
championship. That criterion is too rigid and narrow.

But I also remember 1999, and how much fun it was to drive — successfully —
towards that ultimate goal. It was a high as a fan, but more so than that, it
was a blast to watch all those hard working players and coaches and yes, fans,
see everything come to fruition. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to
experience that again.

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