Week 5 Games that will Impact Virginia Tech's Post-season Destination

Even at 2-3, Virginia Tech is clearly an ACC title contender

Serious question - given all that was on the line, and that last night’s controversial ending at Miami happened on the final play of the game (as time expired), what would happen if Virginia Tech sued the ACC and its officiating crew?

Could a court hold the ACC liable for fraudulently stating that incontrovertible video evidence showed the pass was not completed? Would the ruling, or the awarded civil damages, cause the league to reverse the call, therefore making Virginia Tech the winner?

By definition, “incontrovertible” video replay evidence that does not involve spotting the ball or a clock issue cannot require six minutes of review.

In court, could the ACC produce a frame, or series of frames, that backs up the ruling (not the statement the conference released two hours after the game, which is a separate matter)?

During the review process of the last play of the Virginia Tech at Miami game, it was determined that the loose ball was touched by a Miami player while he was out of bounds, which makes it an incomplete pass and immediately ends the play.

Of course the statement is 100% accurate, but it is a red herring. The issue is whether or not the pass was completed before the ball was knocked loose.

That there has still been no statement from the referee or the ACC about that is a tell.

How would a court rule? Has it ever happened?

The closest parallel I can think of is the Olympic figure skating scandal from 2002, in which ultimately two groups of pairs skaters shared the gold medal.

Given the prevalence of gambling, and all the politics and money involved in college football, would setting such a precedent be a good or bad thing?

I don’t know the answer to any of these questions, but if you’re Virginia Tech President Timothy Sands, I think at the very least you ask the school’s legal team to review the school’s options.

Last Week’s Rooting Interest Record: 2-1 (7-5 on the season)

Record of Predictions in Rooting Interest Games: 3-0 (9-3)

• Louisville took care of business, justifying its AP ranking. (Rooting L, Prediction W)

• Miami won comfortably, and the week of back-patting and Heisman talk certainly did not help the Hurricanes prepare for the Hokies. (Rooting W, Prediction W)

• Boston College won, but lost its quarterback. (Rooting W, Prediction W)

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

Game 1: Stanford at #17 Clemson

It’s almost a push as to which victorious team would benefit Virginia Tech more, but given that Stanford has more toss-up games, it would be slightly more beneficial to see Clemson get tagged with a loss early in the conference slate.

Rooting Interest: Stanford

Game 2: North Carolina at Duke

As James Madison revealed last week in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is more than fallible. And since the Hokies do not play the Tar Heels in 2024, it is important that others knock them down sufficiently below the Hokies in the conference standings.

Rooting Interest: Duke

Game 3: Florida St. at SMU

FSU is going to struggle to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but it would sure help the Hokies if one of those wins could come against SMU this week. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but the Mustangs and Hokies are not scheduled to play this year, so the more conference losses they can get accumulate, the better.

Rooting Interest: Florida St.