Slept On It: Miami

For the second straight season and the third time in four years, the Hokies gave up thirty points in a loss to a middling Miami Hurricanes squad. An embattled coach, a porous offensive line and an inconsistent defense appeared ripe for the pickin', but Frank Beamer's squad was unable to carry over any positive momentum from last week's inspiring win over N.C. State. Instead, Tech fans were forced to endure another frustrating performance by what looks to be another enigmatic Tech team.

There was a glaring lack of cohesion on Saturday that ultimately doomed the Hokies. Solid scoring drives were quickly undone by defensive lapses and bad penalties. Defensive stands and solid field position were wasted by backbreaking turnovers. And second chances provided by the Canes were squandered by ineffective coaching decisions.

The Hokies' inability to consistently execute and excel in certain phases of the game has become the norm in Blacksburg. As fans, we used to be able to sit down for a Tech game and at least know the Hokies were going to be physical in the trenches and commit to run the ball down the opponent's throat. When asked what this team's identity is today, I can't help throwing up a shruggie emoji and rapidly changing the subject.

Beamer Ball has long been dead. The Lunch Pail Defense is about as unpredictable as a hormonal teenager. And the national relevance of Virginia Tech's brand is questionable at best after years of average play against Power 5 teams.

From their inaugural ACC season in 2004 through 2011, the Hokies went 59-21 against Power 5 teams, never losing more than three contests to P5 programs in a given year. In the three-plus years since, the Hokies are 15-17, with only two wins coming against non-ACC opponents (Purdue, 2015; Ohio State, 2014).

There was a time when the Hokies were the alpha dog heading into important games between big time programs. You would feel unhealthily confident that Bud Foster's unit would shut down the opposing defense, regardless of their proficiency. You felt as though special teams could block a kick or take one to the house on any given play. Fans and players alike had a distinctive swagger every game.

That's no longer the case.

Virginia Tech's annual match-up with longtime rival Miami used to be a fascinating contrast in styles. The U's braggadocio versus the Hokies' quiet confidence. God-given talent versus good-old-fashioned hard work.

In recent years, it has felt more like the Hokies have been trying (and failing) to emulate the Canes, attempting to rely on athleticism over fundamentals and execution. Sure, the talent level in Blacksburg has improved significantly in recent years, but neither side of the ball is of the Ron Popeil, "Set It and Forget It" breed.

On Saturday, neither the offense or defense succeeded in altering their gameplan to stop the Canes. Miami's offense continued to beat the Hokies on slant routes when they needed a big play, none bigger than Rashawn Scott's game sealing touchdown reception with 2:44 to play. The Canes' defensive line was disruptive from the outset, creating constant pressure and forcing risky throws by both Hokie quarterbacks.

Past Tech teams were able to adjust on the fly, but this team simply looks a step behind.

This isn't just about Saturday's loss. It has been a constant the last few years, and it's going to take an awful lot of consistently strong performances to regain my trust.

If the Hokies' most recent loss illustrated anything, it was their inability to build off of last week's win. It proved that Frank Beamer's pitch is falling flat.

Sure, this is the ACC Coastal Division, where three losses could still book you a December trip to Charlotte. But with so much at stake on Saturday, there was little urgency about this team and even less discipline. Mind numbing penalties and ill-advised throws repeatedly killed promising drives, and all of that energy and juice emoted and praised last Friday was nowhere to be seen.

After the win over the Wolfpack, Frank Beamer stated, "We as a football team — players and coaches — talked about it. Some games are just bigger than others, and this one was absolutely big and critical."

So where was that same fire against Miami? Was this game less critical? Or had Frank used up all of his power-ups against N.C. State.

Through seven games, this iteration of the Hokies has proven to be the football equivalent of Einstein's definition of insanity. Short of Travon McMillian's rushing performances, there has been little progress from this team. We're hanging onto the prospect of young talent developing into something dangerous, but how long before this message rings hollow?

This program desperately needs a shot of life; something to restore trust from the fan base and provide hope moving forward. I'm not sure if comes from inside the locker room or outside the program.

Maybe Michael Brewer's return will provide that spark. Maybe a healthy Corey Marshall will kickstart a pass rush that has been sorely lacking. Or maybe this team simply has more warts than we were willing to recognize heading into the season and the last four games revealed the ugly truth.