A bad sign

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- In anticipation for the Virginia-Virginia Tech game, the University of Virginia Alumni Association is passing out buttons to help drum up some spirit for the meeting of the in-state rivals.

But these button are particularly notable because they are indicative of the state of the Cavaliers' program. They say "Beat Tech (please)."

Doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, right?

While such buttons are common in college towns around the country, I can't recall seeing such a defeated message on one. After all, the buttons are supposed to rally the fans. Not this one. "Beat Tech" is written in bold white and blue lettering. But with a closer look, one can see the helpless parenthetical "please" in fine print.

The Cavaliers have lost their last five meetings with the Hokies. Virginia Tech has a 48-37-5 edge in the series, which dates to 1895.