Virginia Tech Football: The Commonwealth Cup Could Have Much Higher Stakes

The most popular sporting event annually in the state of Virginia has become quite lopsided over the past decade as Virginia Tech has defeated Virginia 11 out of the past 12 times the two teams have played.

Since the days of Mike Vick rolling left in a Hokies uniform and taking the team to the 1999 national championship game, it has really been a tale of two sides in this rivalry.

Virginia Tech has ranked amongst the most consistent programs in the country and racked up multiple ACC championships. UVA has undergone some coaching changes and hasn’t even been to a bowl game since 2007.

This year, though, things could finally be different. The Hokies are currently ranked 10th in the country with an 8-1 record and their lone loss coming to No. 9 Clemson. The team sits on top the Coastal Division with a 4-1 record.

However, just behind the Hokies sits their arch rival from across the mountains. The ‘Hoos have a 6-3 record and have looked extremely impressive despite 36 percent of their roster never playing in a collegiate football game before this season.

While the Hokies record looks like the usual success coming out of Blacksburg, it certainly has not been a smooth ride for Frank Beamer’s squad. The team started off with four non-conference games in which they were expected to win without much trouble.

Instead, the offense struggled to find rhythm and the team got through the four games with a lackluster effort. The team then failed to score a touchdown in a dreadful 23-3 loss at home before posting two big wins against Miami and Wake Forest.

However, once again, the inconsistency showed up for Virginia Tech as they beat last place Boston College by just two touchdowns and then got a four point win over struggling Duke.

The Cavaliers have also dealt with the inconsistency bug as fans have struggled to get a grasp for the type of team this is. The Wahoos opened up with a commanding victory over William and Mary and a come from behind road win over Indiana from the Big 10.

The team followed that up with three weeks of ugly football, losing to North Carolina and Southern Miss while posting a one point overtime victory over Idaho. The team then looked destined for trouble as No. 12 Georgia Tech came to Charlottesville.

Instead, the ‘Hoos defense played incredibly against the Yellow Jackets potent rushing attack and they pulled off the upset victory. The following week, the same ole’ team came back again as they were extremely disappointing in a two touchdown loss to N.C State.

In the two weeks since that loss, however, the team has posted impressive victories over Miami and Maryland.

Now, with three games remaining in the season for both teams, the stakes are high moving forward. The Hokies, with a 4-1 conference record, control their own destiny to win the ACC Coastal division.

The team has Georgia Tech and North Carolina the next two Thursday nights before heading to Charlottesville to face the Cavaliers. UVA is sitting at third place with a 3-2 record in the conference and face Duke and Florida State before taking on the Hokies.

Now while UVA will be an underdog against the Seminoles and Virginia Tech will have a tough battle in both Georgia Tech and the Tar Heels, they can both certainly win their remaining games. Both teams have had moments this season that have looked as impressive as any team in the entire conference.

If both teams can manage to win the next two games, the matchup in Charlottesville will be one of the best in a long time. The stakes would be larger than they have ever been. The winner of the Commonwealth Cup would be crowned the ACC Coastal Division champion and be headed to Charlotte to compete in the ACC championship.

While a lot needs to be done over the next couple of weeks for this possibility to occur, there is no doubt it will occur eventually. Both teams are improving their recruiting and teams like Georgia Tech and North Carolina may face some challenges now after facing NCAA violations.

No matter what the stakes are come Nov.  26th, one thing we all know is the game will be meaningful to both teams.

Unlike previous years, though, this one will be no cake walk for the Hokies.