For the first time since 2019, Virginia Tech defeated Tulane in the Military Bowl with seven victories. With three straight losing seasons coming into the season, it was a positive move for head coach Brent Pry’s team. According to ESPN’s Greg McElroy, the Hokies are headed toward becoming a serious competitor in the ACC. He spoke on Virginia Tech’s prospects of playing for the ACC Championship in the near future on a recent Always College Football broadcast.
“I actually put this at five (out of 10),” McElroy said. “Now, people are going to push back, and this is not at all disrespectful to Virginia Tech, at all. I love the returning production. I love the quality of play that they get at the quarterback spot with Kyron Drones. I love all the pieces back that are now in Year 3 in Brent Pry’s system. I believe that there’s going to be significant growth in their program’s future. “The problem is, I look at the top end of the ACC, and I think it’s really, really talented and really, really good. Now, can they knock off the likes of Clemson, Miami and Florida State? Those would be the top three dogs in the ACC, in my eyes. Can they knock those teams off? Sure. But what’s the likelihood they do it multiple times this season?”
Following its three-year run of three conference victories from 2007 to 2010, Virginia Tech is looking for its first championship in that time. Since 2016, the Hokies have not won the ACC Coastal title, which they lost to Clemson 42–35 in the ACC Championship game.
McElroy projected the Hokies to make a push to win eight or nine games next season but questioned Virginia Tech’s ability to make a run to the ACC Championship game next season.
“Right now, I think Virginia Tech is extremely dangerous, and I think they’re a team you’re looking at; you’re probably thinking, ‘Okay, I can see them getting to eight. I can see them getting to nine.’ But is that going to be enough to get to the ACC Championship Game and ultimately win the ACC Championship Game? I don’t think it’s there just yet.
Therefore, I rate Virginia Tech’s chances of contending for the ACC title at five out of 10. By the way, I think that’s really nice as well. Mark your calendar for next year. Given some of the dropoff, as well as the possibility of certain players departing Miami and Florida State, I believe Virginia Tech might improve on its current level even more. However, I believe that Virginia Tech’s best football season is still to come. I simply have a stronger feeling than ever that it will occur in 2025. On August 31, 2024, Virginia Tech will play its first game of the season in Nashville, Tennessee, against Vanderbilt.
