Different Year, Same Result: Bowl Eligiblity Again in Question as Hokies Lose to Duke
For a program rich in tradition, Virginia Tech is cementing a new tradition these days — needing a win in late November to go bowling.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
For the sixth time since 2014, Virginia Tech must win in the last week of the season to secure bowl eligiblity. That’s the situation the Hokies find themselves in after losing to Duke 31-28 in Durham.
Tech wasn’t supposed to be in this position again. The Hokies returned their coaching staff, their quarterback, and many of their star players. Tech’s strong finish to the 2023 season sparked legitimate hope for the season for the first time since 2018.
That hope was dashed weeks ago. Virginia Tech’s offense has rarely found a rhythm this season, while the defense’s inconsistent performances week-to-week have resulted in multiple losses. Combine that with some puzzling coaching decisions and key injuries, and you have a 5-6 football team on the outside looking in.
Some of the issues that have plagued the Hokies showed up again on Saturday. Virginia Tech’s defense allowed pass plays of 86 yards, 77 yards, 58 yards, and 34 yards, the first two ending in touchdowns. Virginia Tech intercepted Maalik Murphy three times, but allowed him to throw for 332 yards and three scores.
For the second time in three games, Virginia Tech was without their starting quarterback. Collin Schlee lasted a couple of possessions before getting knocked out, leaving redshirt freshman Pop Watson to man the ship. Watson showed some of the talent that the coaches believe he posesses, but was ultimately not ready for a defense of Duke’s caliber. He finished the night 12-of-25 for 146 yards.
Watson’s inspiring play off the bench was overshadowed by the familiar frustration fans are feeling.
In 2015, Frank Beamer’s final season, Virginia Tech needed a win over Virginia to become bowl eligible. A big reason that Beamer stepped aside for Justin Fuente was to reverse the program’s decline.
In 2021, Fuente’s last season, Virginia Tech needed interim coach JC Price to lead the Hokies to a win over Virginia to become bowl eligible. Brent Pry was hired that winter to reverse the program’s decline.
In 2023, Pry’s Hokies needed to beat Virginia to earn a bowl bid. The scenario is the same for 2024.
I point out these facts to show that as a program, Virginia Tech is stagnant. The program is stuck in mediocrity, save for small blips of slightly improved or worsened play.
The Hokies have changed coaching staffs twice during this run of middling performances, yet the results are the same.
Like the loss to Duke, next Saturday will be another reminder that nothing is getting any better. Brent Pry is not making the progress necessary in Year 3 of a rebuild.
For a program rich in tradition, Virginia Tech is cementing a new tradition these days — needing a win in late November to go bowling.
Fans can clamor for change all they want. But if the same people are the ones making the changes, who’s to say that the next round of change will yield a different result?
What I find most frustrating is everyone says we don’t have the money to fire Pry & Babcock. So the answer is to continue to circle the drain because we lack resources?