Outcome sucked of course, really wanted to see this program compete for a full 40, but was expected. Kids played hard and with heart, just totally overmatched by a clearly better team.

Not excusing it, but not pretending VT should have won. Totally outmatched in nearly every way.

I also don't think this team has a real leader - I love Walker, but I don't think he's strong enough to lead such a young squad - and that lack of true leadership is really hurting this years team.

That said, I didn't mind the press conf as I have before. Felt the feedback was honest and accurate.

In Fu's tenure he's won some good games, but yet to conquer the elite. Very fair. It's only his third yr so I think we do need to be fair in his timeline too.

Fans are spent because it's been decades of blowing home opps on the national stage like this - it's nearly a guarantee, and its frustrating disheartening and deflating.

But Fu can only account for 2, Clemson and ND. Top 5 teams - and quite frankly, VT literally has no business beating teams like that right now - if I were those teams and VT beat us I would consider it a firable offense.

VT is not elite, just a fact. And sadly probably never will be. Need to land more 4 stars and coach up as best possible. VT isn't winning any nat titles in the forseable future, but let's get as high as possible.

Not excusing the obvious failures, staff and players need to improve no doubt. But this is a very young team, dealing with loss of talent for various reason, playing a QB in his 2nd real start.

Also gotta be realistic here.

I see some positives. Willis is showing to be a guy that can help VT win. These young guys will get better and mature. This year it's a fight for the coastal, and despite all the shortcomings VT still has a real chance for that - Hokies are in it, and can turn this into a positive yr on that front.

That's absolutely not enough long term, but this simply isn't a very good team this yr with a lot of youth and little leadership so gotta take what we can get right now.

I do expect to see LARGE improvement across the board next yr, or the coaching questions should get loud and will be fair. But for now, let's keep growing, get prepped for UNC, and fight to take the costal.

Goals are still in front of and attainable for this team - won't be easy with GT and Miami, but there it IS doable.

Reset, refocus, accept where this team is, and go for what is actually attainable. This can absolutely be a positive year, and I do see a lot for the program to build on.

Choice is either give up (weak sauce) or fight like hell and RESPOND in conf play - I vote for the latter. GO Hokies