After a rocky first four weeks, the Virginia Tech football team put together its best overall performance last Friday night in Miami. The Hurricanes led for most of the game and most of the second half until they scored on the first play after a two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter, winning 38-34.
You already know the confusion when the Hokies scored the winning touchdown, called an on-field touchdown, on the final play of the game, only to have it overturned by video review. That was a tough loss for Virginia Tech to absorb. Was it the right decision on the field? Probably not, but there was not enough incontrovertible video evidence to overturn the verdict.
In any case, Virginia Tech lost by four points, falling to 2-3, but ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) increased after the loss.
After the loss to the Hurricanes, Virginia Tech’s FPI moved up seven spots to No. 42 on ESPN. A lot of that had to do with No. 10 Miami. Just imagine how far up in the standings the Hokies would have gone if they had won.
Virginia Tech has seven ACC games remaining, and only one team will be playing the team currently ranked higher in FPI this week. Clemson University, which will visit Blacksburg on Nov. 9, placed 13th. I know a lot of people don’t read ESPN’s FPI very deeply, but it’s a little surprising that it’s moved up seven spots since Friday.
ESPN projects the Hokies to be favored in most of the remaining games, with the only big underdog coming at home against Clemson. As we’ve learned this season, any game can go any way with this team.
