2008-09 BCS Orange Bowl: #12 UC vs. #19 Virginia Tech

[Cyclone792]

#12 UC vs. #19 Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on January 1st, 2009 at 8pm eastern time

UC has had a series of "biggest games in their history" so far this season, and now we've finally culminated in what is now once again the biggest game in their history. UC heads to Miami with a #12 BCS ranking and a Big East Championship to take on the ACC Champs in #19 Virginia Tech.

UC has an excellent shot to win this bowl if they play well, and I actually wouldn't be surprised if they're favored to win. Mickens should be healthy and back in the secondary, and one hopes that Goodman is back healthy and able to play. My guess is Goodman will play even if he's not 100 percent, but then there will also be a chance that he could get knocked out during the game.

I'll be heading down to Florida in late December with a group of 11 as we picked up our bowl credits last week. We'll check airline flights once again, but we'll more than likely rent vehicles and drive on down. Fortunately we've got free places to stay in Florida which makes it even sweeter!

Anybody else heading down?

[Cyclone792]

Early Enquirer article by Dustin Dow:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081207/SPT0101/312070021/1064


In all the 124 years of University of Cincinnati football, there has never been a gathering quite like the one tonight at Fifth Third Arena.

The Bearcats players, coaches and fans watching the Bowl Championship Series selection show knew there would be a BCS spot reserved for UC for the first time in the program’s history; they knew it was likely to be the FedEx Orange Bowl. And then, indeed, the announcement was made that UC (11-2) – champion for the first time of the Big East Conference – had been selected to play Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl in Miami Jan. 1.

The projected payout for playing the Orange Bowl is $17.5 million per team, a portion of which will make its way back to UC’s coffers by way of league revenue sharing. Harder to quantify -- but perhaps more exhilarating to UC supporters -- is the stamp of big-time relevance associated with playing in a BCS bowl game.

Three years ago when UC fled Conference USA to join the Big East, the university sold the move in part as one what would bolster its football program, which to that point had existed decidedly outside of the club of college football’s usual power players.

Tonight’s announcement, for all that was known about it ahead of time, was the latest capstone on UC football’s ascendance since joining the Big East, which has an automatic BCS bowl berth for its annual champion. Cincinnati clinched the Big East title – and thereby a BCS bowl berth – Nov. 28. Late Saturday night, the Bearcats defeated Hawaii in a non-league game. While that game had no bearing on Cincinnati’s BCS candidacy, it marked the first time that UC won at least 11 games in a season.

Of the five BCS contests, which include the National Championship Game, the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl, the Orange Bowl was the final bowl game to choose its teams this season, determined by an annual rotation. Virginia Tech automatically qualified for the Orange Bowl as the Atlantic Coast Conference champion, which is guaranteed an Orange Bowl spot.

The Fiesta or Sugar Bowls could have chosen UC but passed on the Bearcats in favor of teams with more established fan bases, a consideration for selling tickets and advertising. The Orange Bowl then was required to take UC because the Bearcats were guaranteed a BCS bowl game as Big East champions.

The Orange Bowl will be the 11th bowl game for the UC program. The Bearcats are 6-4 all-time in bowl games, including victories in their past three – the Fort Worth Bowl (2004-05), the International Bowl (2006-07) and the Papajohns.com Bowl (2007-08).

The Papajohns.com victory last season against Southern Mississippi marked the second time in UC history that the Bearcats won 10 games in a season. Now, in coach Brian Kelly’s second season, the Bearcats are aiming for win No. 12.

[Cyclone792]

Katzowitz blog update:

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/120708aaa.html


Before FOX went on the air, BK addressed the 400 or so fans who found their way into 5/3 tonight. He said:

"For those who went to Birmingham for the PapaJohns.com bowl last year, great place, but you're not going back there this year.

And if you're wearing International Bowl gear, we're not going there either."

Instead, it's the Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech.

More to come..

Some quotes:

From BK: "From day one, the goal has been the same. It's to win the Big East championship and to get a chance to play in a BCS bowl game. We got a chance to see that tonight. We're really proud of that. This football team has shown all year that they play games to win. If you stayed up until 3:15 a.m. - and I don't know why you would - you could see that they love to play."

From Tony Pike: "For me, it means a lot. Growing up a Cincinnati guy and seeing the history of this football program from where you bought basketball season tickets and they just gave you football season tickets, just to see the attendance and the turnout on a Sunday night, it's definitely great to see. The buzz around this city is huge.

It's one thing to get to the BCS game, now you want to go down there and win."

From Connor Barwin (and this is why we love talking to Connor Barwin): "I've never been to Miami, but I hear they have beautiful women down there. According to DeAngelo."

[MWM]

I wonder how many fans there are like me who never really cared about UC football, but will pulling for them in a big way. This might sound lame to some, but I've always been a home town fan of the big time sports. I started watching Ohio State in 1984 when I was a kid, and have followed them ever since. They were the "local" team for big time college football. I didn't go to OSU, but I do feel like growin up in Ohio and my tax dollars supporting the school allow me the benefit of calling myself a full blown Buckeye fan.

The UC Bearcats were always the local team for big time college basketball, so I've been a rabid fan of them as well. When OSU would field a good team, I'd root, but never as a full blown rabid fan. UC was the college basketball team I followed, and Xavier to a lesser degree. I was never a student there, either, so I never got into the rivalry, so I never disliked Xavier. I even pulled for Miami of Ohio when they were in the tourney.

I don't think I'm unusual in that regard. I know plenty of people who root for OSU football and UC basketball, but are aren't as entusiastic abou the other program. Maybe that's lame, but that's how I grew up.

So while I won't get the same level of satisfaction as the rabid Bearcat football fans, I'll enjoy it quite a bit if they win a BCS game.

[Cyclone792]

Here is Virginia Tech's schedule/results this season. They are 9-4 overall and 6-3 in the ACC after defeating Boston College for the ACC Championship.


Opponent Opponent Record Result
@ East Carolina 9-4 (7-2) L 27-22
vs. Furman 7-5 (3-4) W 24-7
vs. Georgia Tech 9-3 (5-3) W 20-17
@ North Carolina 8-4 (4-4) W 20-17
@ Nebraska 8-4 (5-3) W 35-30
vs. Western Kentucky 2-10 (0-0) W 27-13
@ Boston College 9-4 (5-4) L 28-23
@ Florida State 8-4 (5-3) L 30-20
vs. Maryland 7-5 (4-4) W 23-13
@ Miami (FL) 7-5 (4-4) L 16-14
vs. Duke 4-8 (1-7) W 14-3
vs. Virginia 5-7 (3-5) W 17-14
vs. Boston College 9-4 (5-4) W 30-12 ACC Championship Game

[*BaseClogger*]

UC couldn't have been given a more preferable opponent...

[Marc D]

I root for all Ohio teams when they aren't playing OSU.

Good luck Bearcats. I honestly think you guys match up quite well.

[paintmered]

UC couldn't have been given a more preferable opponent...

That's not necessarily a good thing. Sure, UC is the favorite going into the game. But UC and the conference doesn't gain a whole lot by winning it. Louisville was in a similar situation a few years ago against Wake Forrest.

[*BaseClogger*]

That's not necessarily a good thing. Sure, UC is the favorite going into the game. But UC and the conference doesn't gain a whole lot by winning it. Louisville was in a similar situation a few years ago against Wake Forrest.

You guys should probably be more concerned with winning the game and not getting ahead of yourselves...

[paintmered]

You're reading into what I'm saying if you think we're getting ahead of ourselves. We're not.

But when you are UC and you play Oklahoma, you've got nothing to lose. Against VA Tech, you've got the reputation of the school and the conference on the line even though winning the game won't silence the critics because they "only beat the ACC".

[paintmered]

Early line out of Vegas has UC as a 2 point favorite.

[dougdirt]

Well, I am going down to Miami as long as I can get to Charlottesville, VA before the 31st.... so thats my plan even if I am not sure how I am getting there yet.

I am with paintmered though, the BE has been frowned upon for even getting a BCS birth (although I still feel if say, WV were 11-2 with the same losses that no one would say anything). They win and its 'so what, that team had 5 losses by seasons end' and if they lose its 'the big east sucks and doesn't deserve a BCS birth'.

[paintmered]

Tickets are now on sale. I just ordered mine. And now it looks like the server is hosed.

[Cyclone792]

Tickets are now on sale. I just ordered mine. And now it looks like the server is hosed.

If I read things correctly, then those of us with bowl credits should be ok. I believe the seating priority was like this:

1) season ticket holders
2) bowl credits (in order of date you ordered credits)
3) everyone else

So long as you're either a season ticket holder or you've already grabbed bowl credits, you'll get higher priority over those people fighting for tickets right now.

[paintmered]

1) season ticket holders
2) bowl credits (in order of date you ordered credits)
3) everyone else


From UCATS:

"In accordance with the UCATS priority points system members of the Director's Society and the George D. Smith Society will receive first priority followed by UCATS members in descending priority points order. They will be followed by non-UCATS season ticket holders and individuals that have recently purchased the bowl credit (priority given to order date)."

You can join UCATS for $50 and jump to the front of the priority line.

[Cyclone792]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigeast/0-2-250/Sleepless-Bearcats-excited-to-face-Virginia-Tech.html


Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly and his players attended an on-campus rally around 8 p.m. Sunday to celebrate the Bearcats' bid to the Orange Bowl to play Virginia Tech.

It was pretty impressive, considering that the team had finished its last regular-season game in Honolulu about 3:15 a.m. EST, wrapping up a 29-24 win and then heading back home. And the players had to worry about final exams beginning on Monday.

"Sleep's not been something we've needed around here," Kelly said Sunday night. "We've got a lot to look forward to today. We'll worry about sleeping later."

The matchup between No. 12 Cincinnati (11-2) and the No. 19 Hokies (9-4) may not pique casual fans' interest. But it's far and away the biggest bowl game in Bearcats history, and Kelly has said his team takes seriously the responsibility of carrying the Big East banner. They know their league has won three straight BCS games, and they don't want to be the ones to end that streak.

The Bearcats last played Virginia Tech in 2006, losing 29-13 in Blacksburg. Kelly said his players were excited about getting to play the Hokies in Miami.

"Playing Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer and just the tradition of that program is a matchup that we're excited about," he said. "When you have that name recognition of Virginia Tech, it certainly enhances not only the game but the credibility of the opponent."

Cincinnati will begin bowl preparations next Monday. It will need to get two key players healthy. Star cornerback Mike Mickens underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the Pittsburgh game, and leading receiver Dominick Goodman suffered a Grade 2 separation of his right shoulder early in the Hawaii game. Kelly said he expects both of them to play on Jan. 1.

"Something about the Orange Bowl and sunny weather gets those guys healthy quicker," he said.

[vaticanplum]

Anybody else heading down?

Several members of my family are heading down. They are and always have been, inexplicably, huge UC football fans despite the fact that only one of them went to school there (and didn't graduate). They've been season ticket holders since before I was born and have gone to every bowl they've played in during that time (which is what, like one? Two?). they are pretty beside themselves.

I will be in a cabin in the mountains of Maryland, most likely being cranky at not being able to watch the game. I've never been the world's biggest football fan but this is totally infectious.

[SunDeck]

I will be in a cabin in the mountains of Maryland, most likely being cranky at not being able to watch the game. I've never been the world's biggest football fan but this is totally infectious.

You need you one of these:

http://www.getafreesatellitedeal.com/images/Tree2.jpg

[Redlegs23]

I'll be making the trip with a group of 11. And vatican, they've actually been to a lot of bowl games in the past 6 or 7 years, but none that even come close to being this big.

[redsbuckeye]

I went to my first UC game this year and wish I could go to this, but I'll just be getting back from a Vegas/San Diego trip and will be stuck watching it on TV.

[*BaseClogger*]

I also went to my first game at Nippert Stadium this year and came away very impressed. The campus is very clean and modern, and the stadium is a perfect size (excepting Ohio Stadium, of course ;)). I really like the setting it has with campus all around it and all of unique structures. The view of the game was great, but you still had the feel you were at a big time football game.

Probably the highlight though was being able to sneak in for free. We went in a building on the same side of the press box, walked to the far end, went down a suspicious looking staircase, exited through some doors at the ground level and we were beyond the gates. There wasn't a single person or sign to stop us. That would never happen at the Shoe... ;)

[GoReds33]

I also went to my first game at Nippert Stadium this year and came away very impressed. The campus is very clean and modern, and the stadium is a perfect size (excepting Ohio Stadium, of course ;)). I really like the setting it has with campus all around it and all of unique structures. The view of the game was great, but you still had the feel you were at a big time football game.

Probably the highlight though was being able to sneak in for free. We went in a building on the same side of the press box, walked to the far end, went down a suspicious looking staircase, exited some doors at the ground level and we were beyond the gates. There wasn't a single person or sign to stop us...I've done the same thing like four times. I found it last year for the Louisville game. What game are you talking about?

[*BaseClogger*]

I've done the same thing like four times. I found it last year for the Louisville game. What game are you talking about?

Against Miami on September 20. It was a night game...

[GoReds33]

Against Miami on September 20. It was a night game...Okay. I'm a student this year, so it's not a big deal for a ticket. I have shootout tickets for this weekend. I miss the old days of coming down to the stadium trying to sneak in...:)

[vaticanplum]

I'll be making the trip with a group of 11. And vatican, they've actually been to a lot of bowl games in the past 6 or 7 years, but none that even come close to being this big.

Oh, then I guess they haven't been to all of them. They've been to at least two (I think Detroit and, uh, Alabama or Mississippi or somewhere). Maybe three. But they have one foot in Miami already.

[Cyclone792]

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/120908aaa.html


Dec. 9, 2008

(9:57 a.m.): The live interview in front of a national TV audience and a few hundred fans at Fifth Third Arena had been completed and so had a long, long trip to Hawaii and back. There was scant time for sleep, and in about three weeks from that moment, the UC football team – for the first time in history – was going to play in a BCS bowl game.

Coach Brian Kelly, the face of this program since he stepped up to the microphone during his initial news conference at the Kingsgate Marriott after he had been hired, is one of the most wanted men in the country. His name has been linked to open jobs from the East to the Midwest to the Pacific Ocean. He’s become a nationally-known name, and scores of students can, at a moment’s notice, break into a Bri-an Kel-ly chant.

Yes, at the moment for Kelly and his team, life is good. So good that Kelly, as he’s done all year, makes light of the moment. Seated in the Fifth Third’s media room, where basketball coach Mick Cronin usually holds court after his Bearcats play, Kelly turned into a jokester after it was announced the Bearcats were going to the Orange Bowl.

“I thought our post play was lousy,” he said. “If we can ever get five guys shooting the ball, we might win a game or two. Sound familiar?”

The jokes, yes, they sound familiar. And Kelly – and the fans that follow his team – has a good reason to laugh and feel giddy.

During a season in which the Bearcats have blown a double-digit lead in less than 90 seconds, were outplayed and seemingly out of the game with 12 minutes to play at Hawaii, got a tad lucky to beat Akron on the road and have played five quarterbacks this season, they’ve made history.

Only Bearcats team to win 11 games.

Only Bearcats team to win at least 10 contests in back-to-back seasons.

Only Bearcats team to enthrall this city.

So, Kelly jokes and he makes you laugh (Kelly, for the record, is funny when he’s making a quick off-the-cuff remark to a question or comment. He can fall flat at times when he already has something planned). But aside from that, Kelly and his team makes you watch and then want to watch some more.

One of the first football games I covered when I moved to Cincinnati and began working for the Post was the 38-0 Pat White-washing of UC by West Virginia on that frigid Wednesday night four years ago. The thought I had to myself as I watched the end of that game on the beaten Bearcats sideline: this is isn’t real college football. I don’t know what this is, but it’s not real college football.

Four years later, UC is playing for a top-10 ranking and the respect of the rest of the country. It’s playing real college football at least.

This team is unusual. I don’t know if it’s extraordinary coaching or an inordinate amount of good luck or something else I can’t determine, but this type of team doesn’t merge together very often. It’s a team that clearly enjoys playing the game and enjoys playing that game with each other and for these coaches. It, for whatever reason, is something special.

“What I’ve done in 18 years as a head coach is I’ve had good teams and fun teams and teams that win games,” Kelly said. “The special teams are the ones that have that special fight in them, regardless of the situation they’re going to have. I’ve had a couple teams like that. This one is special. They have that special fight that they’re going to keep playing.”

Receiver Mardy Gilyard thinks of it like this: a couple hours before every game, a number of players and team officials gather around the 50-yard line in a circle, hold hands and pray. Gilyard can look to his left and look to his right and look straight ahead, and he sees one thing.

“I look in everyone’s eyes, and I can honestly say that in every game, I can see the hunger in their eyes, like they’re ready to go to war,” Gilyard said. “Not just to go out and battle for the sake of having a good battle, but going out and battling to win. That separates us from a lot of teams.”

[Cyclone792]

UC is moving tickets:

http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/blog/spec-rel/121108aac.html


Dec. 11, 2008

(9:01 p.m.): Just got off the phone with Mike Waddell (well, it was a little while ago. I was at Trader Joe's when he called back), and he said the school has exceeded the 10,000 tickets sold mark for the Orange Bowl.

He seemed happy with that figure through four days of sales. I'm sure he'd be happier if he could bump up that number to about 15,000 tickets sold in the next week or so.

[Chip R]

How many tickets do they get?

[Cyclone792]

How many tickets do they get?

They've got 17,500 in their allotment so they're roughly 60 percent of the way there.

From what I'm hearing, many people are doing what I'm doing in getting tickets with a big group. Our group is 10 people, lots of other people are heading down in groups of 6, 8, 10, 15, even more. Chipping in with a group to split up the expenses isn't a bad way to go.

[Heath]

Good for UC. I hope they have a great showing.

I would also think that UC is the underdog here, so the casual fan might be good for the Red & Black.

[Redlegs23]

Good for UC. I hope they have a great showing.

I would also think that UC is the underdog here, so the casual fan might be good for the Red & Black.

I think I saw the Vegas line has UC as 2.5 point favorites.

[Cyclone792]

Per Mike Waddell, 13,000 tickets sold as of tonight (4,500 tickets remaining).

[oneupper]

Stupid Statistic of the Day:

VT is 5-1 when they kick off and 4-3 when getting the ball first (including wins over Furman and Duke, which don't really count).

Nothing like a team whose best offensive weapon is its defense.

[GoReds33]

I just learned that I will be there! My dad is getting me tickets for Christmas!

[NorrisHopper30]

Go Cats!!!

[SeeinRed]

Am I the only one sick of the media and other fans dogging this matchup? I am sick of hearing how "UC isn't a BCS team." Actually, they are according to the current system. There are some who make that assesment based solely on the Hawi'i game. They proved they win tough games out there if you ask me. They are in Hawi'i, at the end of a season where they had already earned a BCS berth, playing a team that wanted the win just as much if not more than UC. They put themselves in a big hole and came back from behind to win in Hawi'i. It may not have been pretty, but it was a quality win. Its easy for fans of other teams to say UC proved anything other than being a good team when their team hasn't played in the same situation.

UC may not be an "elite" team quite yet, but they are on their way and are very deserving of a BCS berth. Calling UC vs VT a very undesirable matchup may be accurate. There isn't much excitement in that matchup, but that isn't UC's fault. UC may not draw like an OSU, but that shouldn't prevent them from being in a BCS bowl. UC earned their spot, plain and simple. If the success continues, then the fans will show up.

I don't care if nobody else wants to see that bowl game, UC earned the right to enjoy it. There fans have the right to enjoy it. Just let it be. If I see another journalist write about how the Orange Bowl is going to be a letdown, I'm going to explode.:explode:

[Chip R]

VT hasn't been holding up their end as far as ticket sales go.

http://www.techsideline.com/news_archive/showArticle-4173.php

[Marc D]

VT hasn't been holding up their end as far as ticket sales go.

http://www.techsideline.com/news_archive/showArticle-4173.php

From everything I hear no one is setting the world on fire this Bowl season as far as attendance goes. BCS ticket prices are way down across the board and there are many articles being written about the lack of interest from the OSU faithful this year. I imagine its the same for everyone.

Lots of other smaller factors but overall its just another example of the horrible shape of the economy affecting everything. Not sure if its true but a friend was telling me he heard of scalpers down in Miami selling UC/VT tickets for a freakin dollar.

Anything that involves people spending money is going to be off to some degree for the forseeable future and it appears the BCS is no exception.

[texasdave]

Anything that involves people spending money is going to be off to some degree for the forseeable future and it appears the BCS is no exception.

Sounds like the perfect time to start up an 8-team playoff and ask your fans to travel up to three weeks running.

On the other hand, if people don't travel to the bowls and spend, spend and spend some more, then the TV revenue might start to look plenty appealing. If there is any TV revenue anymore.

[Chip R]

From everything I hear no one is setting the world on fire this Bowl season as far as attendance goes. BCS ticket prices are way down across the board and there are many articles being written about the lack of interest from the OSU faithful this year. I imagine its the same for everyone.

Lots of other smaller factors but overall its just another example of the horrible shape of the economy affecting everything. Not sure if its true but a friend was telling me he heard of scalpers down in Miami selling UC/VT tickets for a freakin dollar.

Anything that involves people spending money is going to be off to some degree for the forseeable future and it appears the BCS is no exception.


Yeah. If you look in the article, it seems that Hokie fans are using other outlets to buy their tickets. The Orange Bowl tickets were tied in to the BCS Championship game so if you bought the latter you had to buy the former. Since Bammers aren't going to either game, they have to unload them on ebay or elsewhere.

[GoReds33]

Just an FYI, but I created a Bearcat fans social group on here. If you want to join, go to quick links at the top, and go down to social groups. From there, you should be able to find it and join easily.

[NatiRedGals]

Would love to go but i live in fairfield ohio and cant really find a cheap way to get down there :( Be willing to pay ya know 100-200 but ya anything more is crazy to me!

[paintmered]

Would love to go but i live in fairfield ohio and cant really find a cheap way to get down there :( Be willing to pay ya know 100-200 but ya anything more is crazy to me!

If you want to go and are really strapped for cash, find a group of friends and road trip it. While I advocate supporting the UC athletic department, you can find really inexpensive tickets out there (some reports of tickets less than $10). I also know of some people who will be tent camping down there. If you did your homework and act quickly, you could swing it for under $150.

It wouldn't be glamorous or even comfortable. But you'd make it to the game under budget.

[NatiRedGals]

If you want to go and are really strapped for cash, find a group of friends and road trip it. While I advocate supporting the UC athletic department, you can find really inexpensive tickets out there (some reports of tickets less than $10). I also know of some people who will be tent camping down there. If you did your homework and act quickly, you could swing it for under $150.

It wouldn't be glamorous or even comfortable. But you'd make it to the game under budget.

LOL Trust me I wanna go but my friends do not find it as fascinating as I or cant afford either. I am not worried about finding tickets yes on stub hub some as low as 5 bucks right now lol. But getting to miami and back i cant seem to find anything under 213 and thats amtrak. PLZ do tell about the 150 deal ive been doing alot of homework no luck yet :(

[paintmered]

LOL Trust me I wanna go but my friends do not find it as fascinating as I or cant afford either. I am not worried about finding tickets yes on stub hub some as low as 5 bucks right now lol. But getting to miami and back i cant seem to find anything under 213 and thats amtrak. PLZ do tell about the 150 deal ive been doing alot of homework no luck yet :(

It's not an existing package. You'll have to piece this together on your own and take advantage of saving money by driving yourself and then tent camping.

Even after a full price ticket and hotel lodging for two nights, I'm ahead over $100 over the student bus trip.

[NatiRedGals]

It's not an existing package. You'll have to piece this together on your own and take advantage of saving money by driving yourself and then tent camping.

Even after a full price ticket and hotel lodging for two nights, I'm ahead over $100 over the student bus trip.

Im willing to pay like 200 bucks to get there but just cant find anything at the moment :(

[Cyclone792]

The cheapest way to get down there is to use your own car (or someone else's car who's going) and split the gas amongst everyone who is going. The second cheapest way to get down there is to rent a car and split the rental cost and all fuel costs amongst everyone who is going.

We have a large group going down and we're renting two vehicles, a full-size SUV and a full-size car. The total transportation costs (rental + fuel) for the people from Cincy in our group is only $135 each, and we'll also have those cars with us the entire time down in Florida so we can obviously travel wherever while down south. The only way we can beat that price is to have people take their own vehicles, but it's worth it to us to chip in a bit more money and save the wear and tear on our own vehicles.

If those two options aren't options for you guys (and I'm assuming you can't tag along with UC's student deal), then the cheapest is either Amtrak, Greyhound, or a cheap airline ticket. Of course, then you'll have to flag down cabs or find some other form of public transportation to go from train/bus station or airport to the stadium, and that'll run a bit more money.

[NatiRedGals]

The cheapest way to get down there is to use your own car (or someone else's car who's going) and split the gas amongst everyone who is going. The second cheapest way to get down there is to rent a car and split the rental cost and all fuel costs amongst everyone who is going.

We have a large group going down and we're renting two vehicles, a full-size SUV and a full-size car. The total transportation costs (rental + fuel) for the people from Cincy in our group is only $135 each, and we'll also have those cars with us the entire time down in Florida so we can obviously travel wherever while down south. The only way we can beat that price is to have people take their own vehicles, but it's worth it to us to chip in a bit more money and save the wear and tear on our own vehicles.

If those two options aren't options for you guys (and I'm assuming you can't tag along with UC's student deal), then the cheapest is either Amtrak, Greyhound, or a cheap airline ticket. Of course, then you'll have to flag down cabs or find some other form of public transportation to go from train/bus station or airport to the stadium, and that'll run a bit more money.

Yep I am the only one who could go been looking for a airplane ticket Max $200+tax. I dont have my license yet long story there ha or i would go down there like that. But hey if im supposed to go ill get lucky if im not i wont!

[Cyclone792]

Yep I am the only one who could go been looking for a airplane ticket Max $200+tax. I dont have my license yet long story there ha or i would go down there like that. But hey if im supposed to go ill get lucky if im not i wont!

You might be stuck with either Amtrak or Greyhound then since you're unable to drive. Most of the flights heading down that way are probably $400+.

One thing to keep in mind if you do go the Amtrak or Greyhound route is to probably give yourself about 12 hours cushion from when the schedule says you'll arrive and the time the game starts (i.e. you'd want something listed to arrive at 8am or earlier on the 1st). The on-time rates for Amtrak and Greyhound are terrible, and the last thing you'd want to do is spend $200 and 30 hours traveling each way only to miss the game cause the train/bus was late.

Also, if you do travel that way, I'd highly recommend at least one friend go with you for both safety reasons and entertainment reasons. I don't want to terrify you or anything, but I've taken one roundtrip on Greyhound and I'll never do it again for several reasons. I've never used Amtrak, but I can't imagine the experience/setting would be much different than Greyhound (I probably won't ever use Amtrak).

[NatiRedGals]

You might be stuck with either Amtrak or Greyhound then since you're unable to drive. Most of the flights heading down that way are probably $400+.

One thing to keep in mind if you do go the Amtrak or Greyhound route is to probably give yourself about 12 hours cushion from when the schedule says you'll arrive and the time the game starts (i.e. you'd want something listed to arrive at 8am or earlier on the 1st). The on-time rates for Amtrak and Greyhound are terrible, and the last thing you'd want to do is spend $200 and 30 hours traveling each way only to miss the game cause the train/bus was late.

Also, if you do travel that way, I'd highly recommend at least one friend go with you for both safety reasons and entertainment reasons. I don't want to terrify you or anything, but I've taken one roundtrip on Greyhound and I'll never do it again for several reasons. I've never used Amtrak, but I can't imagine the experience/setting would be much different than Greyhound (I probably won't ever use Amtrak).

Ya I looked up Amtrak 213 bucks roundtrip im like wow so not worth taking a train lol. And greyhound isnt much better it was like 187 roundtrip and i have not heard any good things about it. So unless i get lucky with a plane or someone asks me to go or i find someone to go i doubt ill be there but I am gonna keep my hopes up cause stranger things have happen then finding an amazing deal on a roundtrip plane ticket lol:thumbup:

[Heath]

I'd use Priceline for the complete package and make sure there's Shuttles.

[WMR]

You couldn't PAY ME enough to ride a greyhound bus. :D

[NatiRedGals]

You couldn't PAY ME enough to ride a greyhound bus. :D

:fineprint

[NatiRedGals]

I'd use Priceline for the complete package and make sure there's Shuttles.

lets hope the kung fu price chop works out ;)

[HeatherC1212]

You couldn't PAY ME enough to ride a greyhound bus. :D

I've actually done it twice (and taken a train once too) and I survived everything although it was definitely different, LOL ;) The first time I took the bus was when I was going up to meet friends in Buffalo and then we drove over to Canada for a long weekend with more of our friends. That was a little scary because I was by myself on the bus but I met some nice people and no one really bothered anyone else for my whole trip. We were all sleeping more than anything! :D The second time was when our youth group took a bus up to Cleveland in order to catch the train up there which we took to New York City. We did a mission trip there for a week and took the train to get there which was actually pretty cool. We had a lot of fun. I don't think it's bad at all to take a train once in a while but I would never do that by myself. We entertained ourselves by talking, playing cards or other games, going to the food car, and sleeping (part of the trip was overnight) but you can't really do that sort of thing when you're on the train by yourself. It's fun to take different types of transportation but I'd never make a habit of it, LOL :laugh:

NatiRedGal-Good luck with getting to Florida! :)

[NatiRedGals]

I've actually done it twice (and taken a train once too) and I survived everything although it was definitely different, LOL ;) The first time I took the bus was when I was going up to meet friends in Buffalo and then we drove over to Canada for a long weekend with more of our friends. That was a little scary because I was by myself on the bus but I met some nice people and no one really bothered anyone else for my whole trip. We were all sleeping more than anything! :D The second time was when our youth group took a bus up to Cleveland in order to catch the train up there which we took to New York City. We did a mission trip there for a week and took the train to get there which was actually pretty cool. We had a lot of fun. I don't think it's bad at all to take a train once in a while but I would never do that by myself. We entertained ourselves by talking, playing cards or other games, going to the food car, and sleeping (part of the trip was overnight) but you can't really do that sort of thing when you're on the train by yourself. It's fun to take different types of transportation but I'd never make a habit of it, LOL :laugh:

NatiRedGal-Good luck with getting to Florida! :)

Aw thanks! That's what it takes really Luck Miracle or whatever lol I wont give up though be a trip that id remember for the rest of my life! GO UC!

[OnBaseMachine]

TD Cincy! That was easy. 7-0.

[WVRed]

TD Cincy! That was easy. 7-0.

Yep, so easy its now 7-7 and the offense has gone flat.

Tyrod Taylor looked like the second coming of Michael Vick on that run.

[Reds Freak]

Too many missed opportunities in the first half. Hope that doesn't come back to haunt them. The defense has been channeling the tackling of the pro team in town as well at times..

[CTA513]

Virginia Tech is now up 10-7 at the half

Pike has thrown 1 INT

[LoganBuck]

The Doobie Brothers!

First Dick Clark and now this.

T Virus is spreading.

[CTA513]

VT makes it a 13-7 lead

Pike kills UCs first possession of the second half by throwing his second INT.

[MWM]

Thom Brenneman is awful calling football.

[CTA513]

Once again UCs offense does nothing.

[KronoRed]

Thom Brenneman is awful calling any and all sports.
Fixed that

:D

[CTA513]

Pike throws his 3rd INT

UCs defense has been on the field for most of the second half.

[CTA513]

Virginia Tech is now up 20-7

Pike has killed UC the past two games.

[highheat11]

I'd like to see Grutza come in and save the day again.

[MWM]

Pike is terrible. Watching him reminds me of watching Boeckman in last year's title game, just completely in over his head.

[CTA513]

Pike is terrible. Watching him reminds me of watching Boeckman in last year's title game, just completely in over his head.

It reminds me of the Bengals

Can't run the ball
Can't keep drives going
Defense is forced to stay on the field most of the game

[Reds4Life]

How fitting that Pike blows it on the 4th & 1 run. And to Brian Kelly, why in the hell is Pike running it on that play?

UC has missed so many chances in this game it's pathetic. I think Kelly and the players did a little to much partying, and in awe of themselves, instead of preparing for this game. Very sloppy play, missed tackles, no offense. What an embarassment.

[CTA513]

Nice play calling... :rolleyes:

[CTA513]

Roughing the kicker... that pretty much sealed up the loss

[Reds4Life]

ANOTHER pick thrown by Pike.

Ridicilous.

[Reds Freak]

How fitting that Pike blows it on the 4th & 1 run. And to Brian Kelly, why in the hell is Pike running it on that play?

UC has missed so many chances in this game it's pathetic. I think Kelly and the players did a little to much partying, and in awe of themselves, instead of preparing for this game. Very sloppy play, missed tackles, no offense. What an embarassment.

Maybe they should fire Kelly..

;)

[Reds4Life]

Maybe they should fire Kelly..

;)

No, but his play calling is questionable at times.

[CTA513]

ANOTHER pick thrown by Pike.

Ridicilous.

Not surprising, he was horrible against Hawaii and probably shouldn't have started the 2nd half of this game.

[Reds4Life]

Not surprising, he was horrible against Hawaii and probably shouldn't have started the 2nd half of this game.

Yet Kelly kept running him out there, with Grutza on the bench.

[HeatherC1212]

This has been a pretty miserable game but I don't think UC should be embarrassed about anything. VT has been here before (heck, they were just here last year) and they felt like they had something to prove after losing the Orange Bowl last year. UC has never been here before and they had no clue what to expect with this game. Everything seemed to be a little overwhelming and too exciting at times. We have no clue if they could have practiced more either because IMO, there's nothing more dangerous than an underdog team (I think VT was the underdog according to predictions) with something to prove. UC now has to improve in their big game football and I think they will in the future. Pike was definitely the biggest problem tonight though. I've seen him play a lot this season and it's too bad he saved his worst game for the biggest one in school history. :(

Congrats to UC anyway on a really stellar overall season. Now let's start putting things together for another good year next year. ;)

[dabvu2498]

Too bad it went down like that. Poor ending to a great season. Va. Tech has some superb athletes on d. I don't even feel like gloating about my alma mater and their bowl victory at this point. Maybe later. :)

[Reds Freak]

No, but his play calling is questionable at times.

Oh the play calling was definately questionable. The running game was there really all night and they only used it sparingly. That could have opened up some more passing lanes later.

[Heath]

UC just played a group of guys who will be ranked in the top 5 next year.

Pike's throws were questionable, especially the one in the end zone. For the love of Derek Anderson, dude, you are 6'6, it should have been a laser shot.

I thought UC's defense played pretty well.

Step one has been accomplished. There's no doubt this can and will continue. Congrats to those up on Clifton Hill.

[Matt700wlw]

Still have some work to do....

How craptastic that was.

[WVRed]

UC just played a group of guys who will be ranked in the top 5 next year.


No doubt.

I was very impressed by Tyrod Taylor. And of course, the defense.

I just don't understand why Kelly didn't go with Grutza to start the second half. It couldn't have went any worse.

[Hoosier Red]

No, but his play calling is questionable at times.

I'm always amused when people say a coaches play calling is questionable.

Of course, given the definition of the word, I assume everything's questionable.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the play calling that threw the interception in the endzone. It wasn't play calling that made an incredible diving interception at the UC 5, and it wasn't play calling that failed to gain 10 yards on 7 plays.

Sometimes you have to give credit to the other side. It's like they say in the SEC, "They're paying the other team too."


Whatever the outcome, that was anything but embarrassing, they played in the freaking Orange Bowl for crying out loud. Playing against a team with superior athletes, UC was pretty much two plays from winning the game.

[icehole3]

VT's safeties played great, both of those guys will be high draft picks. I'd like to have seen the run game worked into the gameplan more, you wouldve thought UC was down by 30 the way they were passing every down, that was my only problem with Kelly. If I was Beamer I wouldve went to that big behemoth TE they had more, UC had no answer for that dude, another guy I would love to see the Bengals grab even though they never would.

[LoganBuck]

UC just played a group of guys who will be ranked in the top 5 next year.


Hold on, did you just call Virginia Tech a top 5 team for 2009? I saw a one dimensional team, with a running back playing QB, and without any ability to pass. They are a young team but they fall into the 15-20 kind of preseason ranking in my book.

Depending on early entries for next years draft, and in no particular order, I have USC, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Boise State, Louisiana State, Ole Miss, and Georgia as superior teams to Va Tech. Florida State, Miami, and Boston College may be ranked higher in their own conference, those are young teams as well.

[LoganBuck]

I hope Brian Kelly realizes that Tony Pike has found his level. The QB competition at UC should be wide open going into spring and fall camps.

[Reds4Life]

I hope Brian Kelly realizes that Tony Pike has found his level. The QB competition at UC should be wide open going into spring and fall camps.

There is talk that Robert Marve might be transferring in from Miami.

[Reds4Life]

Hold on, did you just call Virginia Tech a top 5 team for 2009? I saw a one dimensional team, with a running back playing QB, and without any ability to pass. They are a young team but they fall into the 15-20 kind of preseason ranking in my book.

Depending on early entries for next years draft, and in no particular order, I have USC, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Texas Tech, Boise State, Louisiana State, Ole Miss, and Georgia as superior teams to Va Tech. Florida State, Miami, and Boston College may be ranked higher in their own conference, those are young teams as well.

Yep, you stop the run, and VT is horribly average. They aren't top 5 material.

[Reds4Life]

I'm always amused when people say a coaches play calling is questionable.

Of course, given the definition of the word, I assume everything's questionable.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the play calling that threw the interception in the endzone. It wasn't play calling that made an incredible diving interception at the UC 5, and it wasn't play calling that failed to gain 10 yards on 7 plays.

Sometimes you have to give credit to the other side. It's like they say in the SEC, "They're paying the other team too."


Whatever the outcome, that was anything but embarrassing, they played in the freaking Orange Bowl for crying out loud. Playing against a team with superior athletes, UC was pretty much two plays from winning the game.

I'm amused when Pike was continualy run out there, after multiple interceptions and a horrible performance, while Grutza sits on the bench and doesn't get a single snap. Only one guy can take the blame for that.....Kelly.

[LoganBuck]

There is talk that Robert Marve might be transferring in from Miami.

Unless Marve has a family issue, that would allow him to transfer to take care of an ailing relative in Cincinnati, he would have to sit out a year. I don't like Marve anyway, I like Anderson or maybe a more mature and comfortable Jones.