Virginia Tech Football: Can They Beat the Hype?

When Virginia Tech first wanted to join the ACC they were simply brushed to the side and ignored. The ACC originally wanted Miami, Boston College, and Syracuse, which would have left the Hokies in the Big East. Luckily former Virginia Governor Mark Warner stepped in and asked UVA to speak on Tech’s behalf. This led to the ACC accepting Virginia Tech into the conference, a move that has largely paid off.

The Hokies have won four ACC championships since joining the conference seven years ago. This success has led to expectations for the Hokies from the fans, as well as from the rest of the conference. The pressure to dethrone the SEC and produce a National Champion has largely fallen on Frank Beamer and his Hokies.

Despite the fact that Virginia Tech has won 10 games every season since joining the ACC, they have never fulfilled the hype by winning it all. One Orange Bowl win in four BCS bowl game appearances isn’t cutting it. This may be why the national media and ACC fans are so quick to place those expectations elsewhere.

Miami is the best example of this. If the “U” wins a few games to start out the season, then they shoot up the rankings. This is because of past achievements and name recognition. Miami hasn’t won the ACC since joining the conference in 2004 so any hype they receive is originally unwarranted.

This year there is one legitimate challenger to Virginia Tech that deserves the hype. Jimbo Fisher appears to have turned the Florida State program back into a national player. The Seminoles had a 10 win season last year and finished second in the ACC behind the Hokies.

Jimbo Fisher took the reins to the FSU program from Bobby Bowden two years ago and he has been hard at work ever since. Florida State has had two great recruiting classes since Fisher took over. These recruiting classes have been highly ranked by ESPN and have brought some pressure to the program.

The pressure seems to be in full affect this season, as the Seminoles are ranked number six in the preseason AP poll. FSU’s entire season seems to hinge on a week three match up with the Oklahoma Sooners (preseason No. 1) in Tallahassee. This game favorably compares to what the Hokies went through in last year’s first game against Boise State.

Virginia Tech’s loss to Boise State ruined any chance the Hokies had at competing for a National Championship (compounded by the loss to JMU).  The same goes for Florida State. If they beat Oklahoma than they will be considered serious contenders. If they lose than they will just be contenders to win the ACC.

This is the first time in years that restoring respect for the ACC hasn’t fallen on Virginia Tech’s shoulders. It is now up to Florida State to step up and do the job. As of now, I don’t have enough confidence in the Seminoles to pick them over the Sooners and make them true contenders.

I actually think that the Florida State preseason hype will help Virginia Tech. The Hokies are ranked 13th in the AP preseason poll. The Hokies’ ranking seems like a fair assessment, considering they lost their starting quarterback (Tyrod Taylor) and top two running backs (Darren Evans & Ryan Williams) from last season.

Most fans believe that the new starting running back, David Wilson, will be great and could be an All American this season. The real question is the replacement quarterback, Logan Thomas. Thomas has all the physical tools and talent to be great but he has a severe lack of experience.

The good news for Thomas and the Hokies is that the pressure is off. The only pressure on the Hokies is coming from the fans. It's the same pressure they have to deal with every year (win 10 games), without the added pressure from the rest of the ACC.

The Hokies have a very easy schedule and a perfect regular season of 12-0 is a possibility. It could come down to a rematch of last year’s ACC title game with Florida State. The easy schedule and lack of pressure will greatly help Virginia Tech.

If the Hokies have a perfect season, and the Seminoles win every game (besides the matchup with Oklahoma) then they should both make the BCS. Tech could contend for the National Championship if they have a perfect season and beat FSU for the ACC title. We will get to that if we come to it.

There is a real chance that this is the first year (since the ACC expanded) that the conference has two teams in BCS bowl games. The hype surrounding Jimbo Fisher and Florida State, as well as the lack of hype around the Hokies should greatly help the conference as a whole this season.