BCS Bowl Projections: Ranking Virginia Tech's Most Attractive Matchups

Bowl projections are beginning to narrow for the Virginia Tech Hokies as the college football season nears its end.

Virginia Tech has its eyes on a potential ACC Championship and second consecutive BCS bowl berth in the Discover Orange Bowl.

If Tech fails to win the ACC, the Chick-fil-A Bowl is a likely destination.

Leave the bowl speculation to us, Hokies. You still have games against North Carolina, Virginia and potentially Clemson before bowls enter the equation.

As for us fans, let's get a taste of the most attractive bowl possibilities for Frank Beamer's Hokies.

 

1. Discover Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia

If Virginia Tech wins the ACC, the Discover Orange Bowl will be its destination. 

Unfortunately for the Hokies, the pickings will be slim in terms of attractive bowl opponents. The Orange Bowl has the last selection of teams, which means it will be stuck with either Houston or the Big East Champion.

West Virginia is still in the running for a Big East title. If the Mountaineers can win the conference crown, they would be a fun matchup for both Tech fans and college football fans alike.

The tilt would renew a fierce rivalry that dates back to the Hokies' Big East days. With West Virginia bolting to the Big 12, any future meetings would be few and far between.

Just this once Tech fans, cheer for the Mountaineers to win.  

2. Chick-Fil-a Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Auburn

The remaining possibilities for Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl are so bland that the second best option is against the Auburn Tigers in Atlanta on New Years Eve.

The Hokies are frequent visitors to Atlanta, being invited to the Chick-fil-A Bowl twice in the previous five years. Tech also has played in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic and in its ACC trips to Georgia Tech.

Historically, Virginia Tech has played in some high-profile matchups against SEC foes in this game. The Hokies beat Tennessee in 2009 and lost a close battle to Georgia in 2006.

In Auburn, Tech would have a formidable SEC foe that is looking to finish a somewhat disappointing season in strong fashion. The defending champions would bring a strong crowd and electrifying atmosphere to the Georgia Dome, making for quite a game to end 2011. 

3. Discover Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Houston

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster might lose some sleep over the holidays if this matchup comes to fruition. 

However, a game against the high-flying Houston Cougars would be fun to watch for Tech fans. It would be interesting to see how the Hokies' No. 8 scoring defense would contain quarterback Case Keenum.

The problem with this game is that it is essentially a lose-lose situation for Virginia Tech. If the Hokies win, they were "supposed to." If Tech loses, it would be devastating to the national perception of Frank Beamer's team and the ACC.

Virginia Tech has not played Houston since the 1975 season.

While risky, it would be a fun game to watch and a new opponent for Virginia Tech fans to see. 

4. Discover Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati

In a rematch of the 2009 Orange Bowl, Virginia Tech would take on current Big East leader Cincinnati. 

Unfortunately for Tech fans, the matchup would be similarly snoozing.

No one outside of Blacksburg or Cincinnati would watch or even attend. The Orange Bowl would be the laughingstock of the BCS bowl lineup.

However, beggars cannot be choosers and the Hokies would not be hesitant to accept a second consecutive BCS bid.

It's a shame nobody will be watching. 

5. Champs Sports Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame

Should Virginia Tech falter in its last two regular season contests, look for the Hokies to land in Orlando against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

This would not be a terrible consolation prize for Virginia Tech. Hokie fans would look forward to a game against Notre Dame, a team the Hokies have never faced.

It would make for one of the most attractive matchups of the non-BCS bowl games and draw a decent national audience.

While Tech fans would be disappointed upon not winning the ACC, a trip to Orlando would make for a nice option for the Hokies.