Let’s look at this season in a glass half full, glass half empty perspective. If you’re looking at it half-empty, then Virginia Tech took a very talented team that only went 6-6 this year. The half-full view is that Brent Pry keeps reloading talent and producing a much more talented and deeper team than Virginia Tech has had in many years. Keep loading up on talent and eventually that will turn into a good season. The question is how much more time does Brent Pry get to do that?
Let’s get something out of the way first. This is essentially a first look at Virginia Tech’s 2025 team. Transfers have gone. NFL prospects are sitting out. We’re basically getting Virginia Tech’s second string against whatever Minnesota decides to trot out. Watch with low expectations and keep an eye on which young guys stand out for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech isn’t Pinstripe Bowl levels of bad. I think they will be trotting enough talent to be able to be competitive and maybe even possibly win. But I wouldn’t count on it. My guess is this game looks more like the Military Bowl last year but Tech is playing the role of Tulane. They can keep it close for most of the game with Minnesota pulling away late.
I don’t have a lot of analysis here because the teams are so different than their regular season forms but I will say I don’t like the look of our OL. Expect Pop Watson to be under duress early and often in this one. This is a game where Tech will need to scheme a lot of roll-outs, screen passes and draws against what should be an aggressive defensive line.
If I was the Hokies’ coaching staff, I’d go out and play with house money and put on a show. Trick plays galore and let the young guys have fun. I know folks who paid a lot of money to travel to Charlotte don’t want to hear that but that’s the best we’re likely to offer. Just have fun and treat it like a more fun version of the Spring Game.
This game is likely to end in a lopsided win for Minnesota. What Tech should focus on is having fun and getting tape on their young players. Bowl games have turned into glorified exhibitions (whispers: they’ve always been). Tech should max-out the fun element in a game whose outcome is a bath in mayonnaise. Don’t worry so much about the scoreboard and take heart the philosophy “f*** it, we ball.” Nothing really to lose, everything to gain. Play with house money in this one.
Prediction: Minnesota 34, Virginia Tech 17
treadmillhorse 