Virginia Tech Football: How Upset Loss Will Hurt Hokies' BCS Hopes

No. 11 Virginia Tech ran into a devastating roadblock on the way to another ACC title on Saturday. The Hokies suffered a devastating 23-3 loss to No. 13 Clemson at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, laying bare the team's offensive struggles that have festered just under the surface all season. The loss drops Virginia Tech to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Who's the Biggest Winner?

Clemson and Georgia Tech both standout as big winners from yesterday's result. The win further validates the Tigers' standing as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC this season. It also marks Clemson's third win over a ranked opponent in as many weeks, with Virginia Tech joining Auburn and Florida State as the latest high-profile program to fall victim to Dabo Sweeney's speedy squad.

In the big picture, the Hokies' loss drops them in a hole behind the 21st-ranked Yellow Jackets, who currently sit atop the ACC Coastal Division at 2-0 after throttling North Carolina State on Saturday. Paul Johnson's team is now firmly in charge of its own destiny on the way to the ACC title game. 

Does Virginia Tech Still Have a BCS Chance?

It's still too early to strip the Hokies from the BCS picture entirely, but things aren't looking good in Blacksburg, to say the least. The Big 12, the SEC and Boise State figure to eat up three of the BCS' at-large bids, with the ACC, the Pac-12 and the Big Ten are left to duke it out for the last one. The only way the Hokies can realistically hope to make it in, is to make up the game and a half that currently separates them from the Yellow Jackets, reclaim the Coastal Division and win the ACC Championship Game. 

What it Means

Frank Beamer needn't to panic just yet, but he may have to soon. It's not every day that the Hokies get so flatly embarrassed at home. In fact, Virginia Tech hadn't lost at home by such a wide margin since 2005, when Miami handed the Hokies a 27-7 defeat. Virginia Tech has a fairly manageable schedule from here on out but will need to address some glaring concerns on the offensive side of the ball to ensure that the season is a successful one in the end.

Biggest Thing to Fix

Speaking of which, Virginia Tech needs to get its act together on offense before their whole darn human comedy falls apart. Sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas stunk it up once again, this time to the tune of 125 yards and a pick on 15-of-27 passing. Nobody's expecting Thomas to be Tyrod Taylor reincarnate, but he'll need to step up his game in a big way if the Hokies are to make this campaign a memorable one.

If Thomas continues to struggle, Coach Beamer may have to put the ball in the hands of David Wilson more often.

Which might not be such a bad thing, considering that Wilson's notched four 100-yard rushing games already, including a 123-yard performance against Clemson yesterday. 

Pivotal Turnaround Game

The Hokies will have their eyes fixed firmly on Thursday, November 10th, when they travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech should win each of its next four games, which would then push its conference record to 4-1 and make this game the deciding one in the race for the ACC Coastal Division crown. A win at Bobby Dodd Stadium, would put the Hokies back in the driver's seat to play in the ACC title game.

Who They Play Next

Virginia Tech will look to redeem itself when Miami comes to town next Saturday. The Hokies have claimed each of the last two meetings between these former Big East rivals.

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