Marty Gordon
Virginia Tech’s football team can still grab onto the gold ring if they can run the Coastal Division in the ACC.
Yes, last week’s loss to Notre Dame shows the program still has a long way to go, but division foes are not lighting up the scoreboard. So, there still looms a chance to play in the conference championship.
The title game could include a top-tier Clemson squad or upstart N.C. State team, which possibly has one of the top quarterbacks in the country. The Hokies need to regroup and finish the season with only two losses.
The Notre Dame contest showed the boys in maroon and orange are young and lack depth. Coaches had hoped the youngsters would grow up quickly after an opening weekend win over Florida State. But the Seminoles are the not the Seminoles of old. So, it’s hard to determine what that win exactly meant in the bigger scheme of things.
The Old Dominion loss definitely left many people scratching their heads. The Monarchs have not won another game but owe Tech a lot when it comes to future recruitment. The win boosts their image to many state high school players.
Meanwhile, Virginia Tech has to use the loss to Notre Dame to their advantage. Over a 100-recruits were in Blacksburg for the game, thus opening a whole new door for recruitment.
Just playing a program like Notre Dame, especially at Lane Stadium, elevates the Tech program to a whole new level.
Former Coach Frank Beamer was honored on the same day the Hokies took lost on national television. The Hokies have to thank him for getting them to this spot. Now, Justin Fuente has to push the program to another level.
Fans have come accustomed to winning eight and nine games every season. Now, Fuente has stepped up his and the school’s game.
The list of current recruits seem to indicate that the program is on its way. The question remains whether Tech can move from a top 10 team to a top 5 one. Fans would surely like to see that change.
Beamer kept an empty display in the Merriman Center, labeled a future spot for a national championship trophy. It has since been removed.
The empty display should be what coaches, players and fans need to strive for. Maybe Fuente needs to bring it back and remind his young players every day of the highest goal.
For now, the team might not be able to compete with the elite programs around the country. But they will get better every time they play those same teams. In addition, more and more top recruits will push the school toward a higher ceiling.
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