One early sign that college football season is approaching is the release of game projections. While it’s far too early to think about the postseason, it’s interesting to see where others are projecting teams. The latest set of game projections was released Sunday by 247Sports analyst Brad Crawford and he sees the Hokies heading to the Holiday Bowl in a big game against Nebraska:
“Both programs on the rise under their respective coaches, Virginia Tech is one of the most veteran-rich teams in the conference ranks this fall while the Huskers hand over the keys to five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola after a memorable offseason. Can the Huskers handle the hype and will the Hokies take advantage of a favorable ACC roster? Those are questions that will need to be answered to reach one of the best non-New Year’s Six games.”
I think this would be a fun matchup. Nebraska has high expectations for year two under Matt Rhule and is going to have one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the country in Raiola and will be a team to watch in the Big Ten.
Virginia Tech has been one of the sexiest picks to be in the ACC due to their massive returning production, a talented quarterback in Kyron Drones, the favorable schedule, and the way they finished the year. The Hokies have lofty goals to start the season and their win total in Vegas is 8.5 right now. CBS Sports college football analyst Chip Patterson gave his prediction for every win total in the ACC and he has the Hokies going over their win total, finishing with a 10-2 record:
Wins: at Vanderbilt, Marshall, at ODU, at Miami, at Stanford, Boston College, Georgia Tech, at Syracuse, at Duke, Virginia
Losses: Rutgers, Clemson
Analysis: “After three wins in Year 1 and seven in Year 2, the oddsmakers and our projections are calling for another step forward for coach Brent Pry in Year 3 with the Hokies. It’s not just the impressive amount of production returning from last season, but the way this group played during a stretch where the Hokies finished the year with five wins in their last seven games, with all five wins coming by at least 17 points. Things seemed to be coming together in Blacksburg, and when you translate that to a schedule that doesn’t include Florida State, NC State or SMU, there’s clearly room for more growth within the league. Over 8.5 Wins.”
If that prediction comes true, it’s hard to see how Virginia Tech wouldn’t make the ACC finals with a 10-2 record, with a non-conference loss to Rutgers. The Hokies would have tiebreakers against Miami and Georgia Tech, so it could depend on how Florida State finishes.
If Virginia Tech were to make it to the ACC Championship Game, they would have the opportunity to win the conference and qualify for the new 12-team playoffs. Considering where the program was when Brent Pry took over, that would be a huge accomplishment for the third-year. Virginia Tech is getting a lot of love this offseason and one thing they’re going to have to deal with is how to manage expectations. The games against Miami and Clemson are going to be huge tests, but they might be the only games in which the Hokies are underdogs. Being able to play as a favorite is going to be vital for this team heading into the season.
