Virginia Tech Hokies Football: A Look at the Biggest Games Left on the Schedule

With this Saturday's game coming against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Virginia Tech Hokies fans are surely tempted to look ahead in the schedule for more exciting matchups. So let's do it.

As I've said many times, the Hokies' 2011 slate is quite weak. Still, that doesn't mean there aren't good games and worthy opponents to be played. They're still in a BCS conference, right?

In this article, we'll look ahead to the five biggest games remaining on the Virginia Tech football schedule, while hoping the players aren't doing the same thing (especially after the JMU debacle).

5. October 1st vs the Clemson Tigers

The Virginia Tech Hokies have owned the Clemson Tigers in the Bud Foster era, winning all five matchups since 1998.

These two teams have only met twice as ACC competitors. The Hokies stunned the No. 10 Tigers in 2006, bottling up James Davis and C.J. Spiller. And in 2007, Virginia Tech ran away from Clemson with the help of a pick 6, punt return touchdown, and kickoff return touchdown.

This will be the first meeting with the Dabo Swinney-led Tigers. Clemson has started off 2-0, but faces the Auburn Tigers and Florida State Seminoles in consecutive weeks before traveling to Blacksburg. Hopefully Tajh Boyd and company will be worn out at the end of that three game stretch.

4. October 8th vs the Miami Hurricanes

No matter how far the Miami Hurricanes drop, they're always going to be dangerous. This year's team is no different.

While they lost to the Maryland Terrapins in their opener, they were without quarterback Jacory Harris, and they still showed certain positive signs. Their red zone defense was stout, for one.

Even with a new coach and NCAA sanctions looming, Miami is Miami. They are very fast, they have a boatload of highly recruited players, and therefore they can win any game. If last year's shootout is any indication, this will be a typical Virginia Tech-Miami dogfight.

3. November 17th vs the North Carolina Tarheels

The North Carolina Tarheels are 2-0 after holding off the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday. Butch Davis may be gone, but the residual effects of his outstanding recruiting will be felt for a few more years.

With the best pass-rush combo in the country (Donte Paige-Moss and Quinton Coples), the defense is very strong. If quarterback Bryn Renner can get himself straight, he'll find that he has two excellent receivers in Dwight Jones and Erik Highsmith. 

This game is a long way off, so it's hard to say where either team will be at that point. But there's a chance this game will decide the Coastal Division in 2011.

2. November 10th at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have been the only thing keeping Virginia Tech from winning the ACC every year since the Hokies' arrival in the conference in 2004.

With the last three meetings decided by a total of 15 points, this year's meeting will almost certainly be a close one, especially with the Hokies traveling to Atlanta.

This year's Yellow Jacket offense presents a different look, with quarterback Tevin Washington headlining a solid passing game. The fledgling Georgia Tech defense is more of a question mark.

This game has decided the Coastal Division every single year. As such, for now we'll assume it will do the same in 2011.

1. December 3rd vs the Florida State Seminoles (2011 ACC Championship Game)

This may seem a bit (or a lot) premature, but with this schedule, I think the Virginia Tech Hokies will make it to an ACC Title rematch with the Florida State Seminoles.

The defense looks like it's back to top 10 form after holding the East Carolina Pirates (who gained 345 on the South Carolina Gamecocks) to just 112 yards.

Logan Thomas has a few more easy games to try and work the kinks out. He has plenty of weapons with David Wilson and the deep crop of receivers are at his disposal.

Seminoles quarterback EJ Manuel has 18 starters coming back to help him. If Florida State can get by the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend, this game might be for more than just the ACC Championship.