This one has been a real pain to write. I should be happier about the game. I had it crossed off as a loss in the preseason, and going into the game I figured ND would win by ten or fourteen even if Hooker started. If you’d told me Tech would have a defensive TD, but Patterson was starting, I still would’ve guessed a similar score, maybe worse. Instead, I’m lamenting the missed opportunity, worried about just how hurt Hooker is, keeping my fingers crossed there isn’t a hangover, and concerned about a Wake Forest team’s emerging offense and oddball RPO game.

I don’t think this is the game to criticize the coaches so much for in-game decisions, seeing as how the offense played the whole game handicapped, and the defense ended up that way in the critical final minutes.

Virginia Tech’s Quarterbacks

It was apparent against UNC, but now even the last holdouts must see that Quincy Patterson has a ways to go in the passing game. Sure, the weather was iffy and his receivers failed him far more than they should’ve, but compared to Hooker he doesn’t have the same comfort within the scheme. Thirteen points probably won’t be enough to beat anyone left on Tech’s schedule—even Georgia Tech put up 20+ against Miami, Duke, and UNC.

That doesn’t mean Patterson’s a bust, or that the UNC performance was a fluke. Patterson still has plenty of time to develop. He didn’t come out of high school throwing for 6,000 yards—Hooker did. Hooker’s a few years ahead of the curve compared to Patterson (and seemingly to all the QBs on the roster.)

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