Andy Bitter

Senior staff writer and lead football beat writer for Tech Sideline.

Contact at [email protected]

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

We've reached the time of year when the CFP rankings come out. Is there a viable path to two ACC teams in the playoff? (If there is, it sure could help out the #Hokies' bowl destination.)

Plus, ranking the top five post-game football coach rants.

https://t.co/UAkXwgfq46

[Tech Sideline @TechSideline]

Bitter: 10 Things As The College Football Playoff Rankings Come Out 🔒

Could the ACC possibly get two teams in the College Football Playoff? Plus, @AndyBitterVT counts down his top football coach post-game rants.

https://t.co/6WqlTXtXq8

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

We've reached the time of year when the CFP rankings come out. Is there a viable path to two ACC teams in the playoff? (If there is, it sure could help out the #Hokies' bowl destination.)

Plus, ranking the top five post-game football coach rants.

https://t.co/UAkXwgfq46

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

The #Hokies' plane got back to Roanoke around 3 in the morning on Saturday following Friday's 51-28 loss at SMU.

James Franklin scheduled a staff meeting at 4 a.m., aiming to, among other things, figure out what's going on in a beleaguered secondary.

https://t.co/8AY8nuwgzz

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

@relsaid Already did, already got a response that there’s no record.

(And when there is one, I fear they will hide it in Hokie Ventures and say it’s not public.)

[Tech Sideline @TechSideline]

Notes From #Hokies AD Brian White Addressing The Board Of Visitors🔒

White's comments on an apparel update were brief, but he touched on some game-day topics in Lane Stadium.
https://t.co/YMco6VmM1v

[Tech Sideline @TechSideline]

Franklin, #Hokies Searching For Answers In Beleaguered Secondary🔒

After the SMU beatdown, Virginia Tech's pass defense ranks 100th nationally, while its pass efficiency defense ranks 113th. @AndyBitterVT:
https://t.co/WExcQxWdLS

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

The #Hokies' plane got back to Roanoke around 3 in the morning on Saturday following Friday's 51-28 loss at SMU.

James Franklin scheduled a staff meeting at 4 a.m., aiming to, among other things, figure out what's going on in a beleaguered secondary.

https://t.co/8AY8nuwgzz

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

CFP to college football fans ...

[Heather Dinich @CFBHeather]

Rich Clark said the CFP is aware of the fan sentiment and “that many fans aren’t in favor of expansion” but … “we owe it to them to make this great and that really is our intent. We did take into account their sentiment… but we decided to move forward with it.”

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

A little over a year ago, Georgia Tech was 8-0 and ranked No. 8 in the country. Amazing how quickly things can turn.

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Georgia Tech has dismissed four staff members – defensive coordinator Jason Semore, defensive ends coach Kyle Pope, offensive line coach Allen Mogridge and wide receivers coach Jafar Williams. Georgia Tech is 2-7 this season and in last place in the ACC.

[Tech Sideline @TechSideline]

TSL Podcast 519: Virginia Tech At SMU Recap

The Mustangs crushed the #Hokies 51-28. The crew breaks down Tech's loss on this episode of the TSL Podcast. (61 minutes)
https://t.co/RsA3Dvx2hA

[David Cunningham @therealdcunna]

Full quote from #Hokies athletic director Brian White on an apparel update to the Board of Visitors:

"I don't have a full detailed update for you on our apparel. I can just tell you that we are in the middle of our process, and we've had tremendous interest, and we're very excited about the apparel company seeing the Virginia Tech Hokie brand like we see ourselves. We see it firsthand.

"We're going to have a far, far better apparel deal than we've ever had, and we also see the national excitement among multiple apparel brands that see our brand like we see it, and that's a really positive sign and health indicator across the board."

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

#Hokies AD Brian White does NOT give a specific update on the Virginia Tech apparel deal negotiations. Strange. Was expecting news on that front today.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

#Hokies AD Brian White is speaking at the Board of Visitors meeting at The Inn. Says VT will have 20 more scanners for the gates at Lane Stadium for the Stanford game. There were only 38 before. He hopes that gets fans in more quickly.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

@pzmakris You also used to have eight- and nine-team conferences that didn't need a title game to determine a champion. That's almost impossible to do with 16-18 team leagues where you only play half the teams.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

My guess is people will end up missing conference title games more than they think.

[Heather Dinich @CFBHeather]

The CFP and ESPN have agreed on a five-year, nearly $1.7 billion deal that will expand the field to 24 teams in 2027 with ESPN as its continued broadcast partner, sources told ESPN, a seismic move that also eliminates the lucrative Power 4 conference championship games.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

The networks put a six-day hold on several ACC games on the Nov. 21 slate. The #Hokies' contest is included, so Wake Forest at Georgia Tech, Pitt at Louisville and Virginia Tech at Miami are all TBD.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

Franklin said Ethan Grunkemeyer earned a little leeway with staying in the game late. Said the QB looked a bit hobbled when he waved off Bryce Baker but seemed fine after that, which is why #Hokies didn't make the decision for him to sub out.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

Oh yeah, rivalry games are also a big issue. Just move 'em up a week. Maybe other leagues will do the same flex plan.

[Andy Bitter @AndyBitterVT]

IDEA: Play eight games and flex the last week to have a de facto title game between the top two teams. Not ideal, since tiebreakers would be crazy. Also, 17 teams is a big wrench. (Just expand by one!) But it feels like you have to settle your champion on the field in some way.