BCS Standings 2011: Bowl Outlook for Virginia Tech Football

The first BCS rankings for 2011 were announced tonight, and Virginia Tech has positioned itself for another strong bowl appearance.

Tech is ranked No. 12 in the inaugural BCS rankings.

This weekend was a good weekend for the Hokies based upon a number of reasons.

First, the Hokies pulled off an impressive win over an underrated Wake Forest team.

Second, Tech's two greatest threats in the ACC Coastal division lost in Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

Third, Clemson came back to win. This gives the Hokies a chance at a possible rematch against a Top 10 Clemson team in December. 

But, enough about last weekend. Where are the Hokies going bowling?

In order of worst-case scenario to best-case, here are the top five bowl destinations for Virginia Tech. 

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Date: December 30, 2011
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Possible Matchup: ACC vs. SEC

Virginia Tech last played in the Music City bowl in 1998 against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was the inaugural edition of the game, and the Hokies prevailed 38-7.

Needless to say the Hokies will not be playing the Tide in the Music City Bowl this season. 

For Virginia Tech to fall to this game, the Hokies will need to lose three out of their last five games. That would entail losses to North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and one other team.

Tech is young and inexperienced. However, it will not lose the necessary games to fall down to this bowl game. 

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Date: December 31, 2011
Location: El Paso, Texas
Possible Matchup: ACC vs. Pac-12

Virginia Tech has never traveled to El Paso to play in the Sun Bowl since it became ACC affiliated. The game out west is relatively new for ACC teams.

A likely opponent for any ACC team would be a squad from the Pac-12. Judging by the Orange Bowl last year, the Hokies would prefer to avoid any Pac-12 team.

Nonetheless, this could be a destination if the Hokies lose to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Seeing as how Tech did that in 2009, this game is a sleeper destination for Virginia Tech.

 

Champs Sports Bowl

Date: December 29, 2011
Location: Orlando, Florida
Possible Matchup: ACC vs. Big East

Another the bowl the Hokies have never played in, the Champs Sports Bowl provides a possible scenario for Tech fans.

Should Virginia Tech lose to Georgia Tech or North Carolina later this season, this will be where the Hokies land.

Presuming the two bowls ahead of the Champs Sports Bowl in the selection process choose the ACC Championship teams, the Hokies would likely be chosen here. 

This bowl would provide a new travel location for the folks from Blacksburg and could showcase the Hokes against a former Big East rival.

 

Chick-Fil-a Bowl

Date: December 31, 2011
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Possible Matchup: ACC vs. SEC 

Virginia Tech is no stranger to the Georgia Dome, playing in this game twice in the last five years.

The Hokies get in this game if they win the ACC Coastal, but lose the ACC Championship game. 

Frank Beamer has said that this is one of his favorite bowl destinations. The Chick-fil-A folks in Atlanta run a first-class event and this is celebrated as one of the best non-BCS bowl games.

If the Hokies land here, expect a tough contest against a talented SEC team. The game is played in a prime time slot in New Year's Eve, creating good exposure for the teams involved.

 

Discover Orange Bowl

Date: January 4, 2012
Location: Miami, Florida
Possible Matchup: ACC vs. BCS At-Large

Virginia Tech fans and players alike are hoping for a second consecutive trip to the Orange Bowl in Miami as ACC Champion.

Even if it is just to prove last year's performance was a fluke.

Virginia Tech will need to run the table and defeat Clemson in a rematch in order to win the ACC and made the Orange Bowl.

If the Hokies are fortunate enough to do so, Coach Frank Beamer will have done a miraculous job resurrecting Tech from a disappointing performance against the Tigers earlier in the season.