Through the first four games, Virginia Tech has been one of the most disappointing teams in the nation. The Hokies return the most starters in the Power 4 and enter the year with a favorable schedule. There was even talk of the Hokies being one of the dark horse teams in the playoffs.
But all that disappeared with the loss to Vanderbilt. Even in games against Marshall and Old Dominion, the Hokies were unimpressive, getting off to slow starts, unable to move the ball consistently, and were clearly at a disadvantage.
But for most of the game against Miami, the Virginia Tech team got the one they were supposed to get earlier in the year. The running game carved up a strong Miami defense, Kyron Drones was making plays through the air and on the ground, and the defense was forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the quarterback. Were they wrong? Sure, but even though we expected Virginia Tech coming this year, we knew it was a flawed team, but they have talent and it finally showed on Friday night. I did.
But the game ended the way it was, and no amount of discussion will change that. What the Hokies need to work on now is take the good things they learned against Miami and improve, while also making sure the referee’s decision to end the game doesn’t drag out and affect them when they travel to Stanford next Saturday. It is to do. Even though the margin for error has shrunk significantly in the first five weeks, this team is still capable of having a great season. They are favored to play Stanford next week and then have a much-awaited bye week before playing Boston College and Georgia Tech at home. The game against Clemson will be tough, but Duke and Virginia are also winnable games. If they can play like they did Friday night, they still have a chance to go 8-4.
However, there’s a reason this team is 3-2, and part of that is inconsistency. Miami’s exit could be a energizing moment for the team for the rest of the season, or it could affect the rest of the season and jeopardize a bowl game. That’s what’s most notable about the rest of this team’s journey.
