Virginia Tech Likely to Miss CFP Committee’s First Top 25
Virginia Tech, 6–2, is expected to fall short of the College Football Playoff committee’s first top 25, due out November 3. Two remaining road games could strengthen the Hokies’ case.
Virginia Tech has the same 6–2 record as 10 teams in Sunday’s AP Top 25, but its victories have come against opponents that received no AP votes. The Hokies also placed fifth among teams outside the AP rankings, earning 12 points; the Coaches Poll had them fifth in line with 53 points.
The College Football Playoff committee will publish its first top 25 on November 3. Virginia Tech is projected to miss the list, with its schedule the main obstacle. Its best win came at Clemson on October 24, when Ethan Grunkemeyer’s late touchdown pass to Luke Reynolds secured a 20–16 victory. Clemson is 5–3 and unranked.
The Hokies’ other wins include victories over Boston College, Georgia Tech, Old Dominion, Maryland and FCS team VMI. Their losses were a 35–33 home defeat to 6–3 Pittsburgh, after a missed field goal at the end, and a 25–20 loss at California. Cal is 3–6 and has dropped three straight.
A place in the rankings would offer a résumé boost, but the ACC title provides a more direct playoff route: the conference champion earns an automatic bid. Virginia Tech is 3–2 in league play, behind unbeaten Miami at 6–0 and Wake Forest at 5–1.
The Hokies’ next chance to improve their profile is Friday on the road against SMU. The Mustangs are 6–2, 4–2 in the ACC and received 27 AP points Sunday. Virginia Tech also visits No. 1 Miami, now 8–0, on November 21. A win at SMU would give the Hokies a victory over an opponent that received AP votes and could strengthen their case for a ranking.