Make Your Mark

There exists a hypothetical hype meter for football games in Blacksburg.

Way down there are cupcakes at noon. When the reverse tailgate is more enticing than the game. On the other end of the scale, it's rampant rumors of Metallica playing the opening chords of Enter Sandman live in Lane. Virginia Tech-Notre Dame shattered the glass.

All the ingredients for a spectacle are there.

Primetime.
ABC.
Marquee opponent.
Ranked Hokies.
Ranked Irish.
#ALLMAROONEVERYTHING.

The atmosphere will be fully dipped. There is no denying Virginia Tech sets the stage for a great show, arguably better than any other program in the country. For the Hokies as hosts however, the recent on-field results in big spots haven't equalled the pregame theatrics. Exhibit A: home losses to ranked Clemson ('16), Ohio State ('15), Duke ('15) and North Carolina ('15) squads.

This is a chance for Justin Fuente to put his stamp on the program. For Virginia Tech to buck a negative trend. Fuente's mantra is 1-0, but some 1's matter more, and this, a game that does not even factor into conference standings, is one of them. It's optics, man. This is a moment for the maroon-on-maroon-on-maroon Hokies to resurrect the Terrordome. For its faithful inhabitants to be so invested in football that it prioritizes yelling among all other actions. For Lane Stadium to come alive and gobble a slew of naive newcomers.

Left tackle Liam Eichenberg was asked about the environment coming Saturday night in Lane Stadium."It's gonna be loud. But our stadium is loud. I'm excited to go in there, kick the shit out of them, get a win, then get out of there."— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) October 4, 2018

To denote when the Fuente era took its next step.

Frank Beamer sacked Texas in '95. Longtime fans and observers are quick to note that sugary sweet win catapulted Virginia Tech through its rise in college football. Fuente has the opportunity to make his mark on Saturday.

65,000 people are waiting.