Throwback Performance Lifts Virginia Tech Into ACC Championship Conversation
Throwback Performance Lifts Virginia Tech Into ACC Championship Conversation
Virginia Tech has won three of their last four, setting the Hokies up for an uber-important trip to Louisville.
It’s amazing how quickly things can change.
Just a month ago, Virginia Tech entered a game vs. Pittsburgh as losers of three straight. At 1-3, the Hokies were already limping their way through what looked to be a very long and arduous season.
Four games later, and the Hokies are no longer worried about finishing at the bottom of the conference. Instead, Tech is staring bowl eligibility squarely in the face. And even better, the Hokies are now a dark horse ACC Championship contender.
Tech’s Thursday night trouncing of Syracuse felt like a late 1990’s-early 2000’s beatdown. The Hokie defense harassed Syracuse from start to finish, racking up eight sacks, holding the Orange to just nine first downs and zero (yes, zero) rushing yards. Syracuse was shut out on third down conversion attempts and held the ball for just 18 minutes and 18 seconds.
On the other side, Virginia Tech chewed up 318 yards on the ground. Bhayshul Tuten did his best Lee Suggs impersonation, averaging 6.6 yards per rush on 18 carries. Malachi Thomas was even more efficient, giving the Hokies’ a two-headed rushing attack reminiscent of Suggs and Kevin Jones.
The atmosphere was fantastic. Thursday night’s game was not a sellout, but 60,236 fans made it feel like an old-school Thursday nighter in Lane Stadium. I was fortunate enough to experience it from the stands, and it was a party all night.
Tech’s win over Syracuse was nearly perfect. For the third time in four games, the Hokies beat the brakes off a conference opponent and added to their growing resume of consistent play. These three wins haven’t just changed the narrative surrounding Brent Pry’s second season as head coach, but they’ve elevated the Hokies into relevancy.
While Virginia Tech seems to be cruising, the rest of the ACC has been thrown into disarray over the last two weeks. Consider these recent results…
North Carolina has lost two in a row (including a home loss to Virginia)
Clemson has lost two in a row, giving them four conference losses
Duke has lost two in a row
As of this week, North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Georgia Tech, Boston College and NC State all have two conference losses. Just three teams have one or fewer losses in the ACC — Florida State, Louisville and… Virginia Tech.
The Hokies’ hot streak, combined with stumbles elsewhere, have made this weekend’s game against Louisville incredibly meaningful. The winner of Saturday’s contest controls their own destiny in the ACC title chase. If Virginia Tech wins out and finishes the season 8-4, they’re headed to Charlotte with a rematch with College Football Playoff hopeful Florida State.
Now that’s a hell of a statement, especially when you consider how the Hokies looked just a month ago.
But that’s how quickly things can change. For Virginia Tech’s sake, let’s hope their run of good play holds on just a little while longer.