Week 2 Games that will Impact Virginia Tech's Post-season Destination

3 big non-conference games will clarify early playoff race

Kool-Aid sales declined precipitously this week in Blacksburg, but regardless of your drink of choice, there will be an ACC champion, and that team will be a top-four seed in the playoff.

Additionally, as bad as some of the “top” conference teams looked last week, it is possible that the ACC gets two bids.

That means that until Virginia Tech has four losses overall, or three conference losses, they’re going to remain in the running.

Last Week’s Rooting Interest Record: 1-2

Record of Predictions in Rooting Interest Games: 2-1

• Clemson got demolished by Georgia, revealing just how fall the Tigers have fallen since their 2018 National Championship. Clemson’s offense looked like Virginia Tech’s in 2006 (translation: heinous). (Rooting L, Prediction W)

• Miami looked very good at Florida, as the Hurricanes turned up the heat on Florida Head Coach Billy Napier. (Rooting W, Prediction W)

• Notre Dame escaped College Station with a win, clearing a major playoff hurdle. The Irish would need to go 8-3 the rest of the way against a pretty middling schedule in order to drop down to the playoff bubble. (Rooting L, Prediction L)

Alright, enough of last week. Let’s get on to this week’s games!

Game 1: #14 Tennessee at #24 NC State

The Wolfpack have a soft ACC schedule and do not play the Hokies. A win over Tennessee would elevate NC State to the upper echelon of the conference and give the Pack a clear path to the playoff.

Rooting Interest: Tennessee

Game 2: #3 Texas at #10 Michigan

The defending national champs are a shell of the team that went 15-0 last year and made the four-team playoff in 2021 and 2022. Still, their brand and lofty preseason ranking might get them into the playoff with a 9-3 record. It’s hard to see the Wolverines beating Texas and losing four other games.

Rooting Interest: Texas

Game 3: Appalachian St. at #25 Clemson

Clemson takes on Appalachian St. in Death Valley, with an opportunity to lose to Georgia for the second straight week. After last week’s letdown (beatdown?), it’s tough to gauge where the Tigers will be mentally. As Michigan and Texas A&M fans know, sleep on App St. at your own risk.

Virginia Tech needs its November game against Clemson to matter. Ergo, it is in Tech’s interest for Clemson to show out tonight.

Rooting Interest: Clemson