Things have not gone according to plan through the first 10 games of the season. If there’s a college football team in need of a bye week right now, it’s Virginia Tech. Following their 24-14 defeat against Clemson on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium, the Hokies sit at 5-5 and require one more victory to secure bowl eligibility. Their first chance to clinch that sixth win comes on Nov. 23 against Duke.
After another tough loss, this time to the Tigers, the Hokies are facing serious introspection from both players and coaches in an effort to salvage their season and keep it alive past the matchup with Virginia on Nov. 30. With 10 games in the books, here’s a look at two truths and a lie about the Hokies’ season so far.
Truth: The 2024 season is already a letdown
Even if Virginia Tech manages to beat Duke, defeat Virginia, and secure a bowl win to finish 8-5, the season would still be viewed as a disappointment. Considering the team ended last year with a 7-6 record, showed late-season improvement, and retained key players, only a one-game improvement would be underwhelming.
The frustration isn’t just about the five losses but the way they occurred. Collapsing with leads late in games, being unprepared at kickoff, lacking in-game adjustments, and numerous other issues have left fans and analysts dissatisfied. The season has not met expectations.
Truth: Virginia Tech dominates weaker competition
The Hokies’ victories have come against teams like Marshall, Old Dominion, Boston College, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. While beating Georgia Tech is noteworthy, especially after their win over Miami that knocked them out of the unbeaten ranks, most other wins lack impact.
To their credit, Virginia Tech should have defeated Miami, as an overturned call based on insufficient video evidence changed the game’s outcome. The losses to Syracuse and Clemson were also within reach, and while Vanderbilt’s loss looks slightly better in hindsight, it shouldn’t have happened. The only truly “good team” they’ve beaten is Georgia Tech—far from ideal in a rebuilding year.
Lie: Virginia Tech will become bowl-eligible
As ESPN’s Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.” Given the way the first 10 games have unfolded and mounting injuries, it’s hard to trust the Hokies to win on the road against a 7-3 Duke team. Virginia has also improved significantly this year and isn’t the pushover many expected back in the preseason.
Can they win one of these games? They should, but if there’s one thing this season has taught about Virginia Tech, it’s to brace for the unexpected. While it’s possible they get the job done, skepticism remains warranted until they actually prove themselves on the field.
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