Week 6 Games that will Impact Virginia Tech's Post-season Destination
How will the ACC's best play in losable games on the road?
Home field advantage is generally valued at three points.
That means, if two otherwise equal teams were to play, the team playing at home would be favored to win by three points.
This week’s major ACC games will put that maxim to the test.
The line in Virginia Tech’s game at Stanford reflects the Cardinal’s injury issues at quarterback. But will that be negated by the Hokies travelling cross-country to once again play in extreme heat?
How about SMU hitting the road to play at Louisville? In that case, is the advantage really worth three points? Louisville has a good, but not amazing atmosphere, and it is only one time zone ahead of Texas.
Cal’s home field advantage would appear to be the most valuable. Not only does Miami have to fly 3,000 miles, but the game is also being played at 10:30 p.m. EDT. Yes, I’ve heard all the jokes about Miami’s players being used to late nights, but playing football past one in the morning is much different from partying downtown.
With Florida St. sitting at 1-4 and poised for the most disappointing season any team in the country has had in years, the atmosphere could actually play to visiting Clemson’s advantage. FSU’s backup QB, Brock Glenn, will start for the Seminoles, so the possibility of boos raining down from the bleachers at Doak Campbell Stadium in response to poor play by the home team is very real.
Before we get into those games that will have an impact on where the Hokies end up in the postseason, let’s review the week that was.
Last Week’s Rooting Interest Record: 1-2 (8-7 on the season)
Record of Predictions in Rooting Interest Games: 3-0 (12-3)
Clemson knocked Stanford’s QB, Ashton Daniels, out of the game en route to a comfortable victory. (Rooting L, Prediction W)
At one point Duke trailed by 20, but the Blue Devils rallied for a huge win. (Rooting W, Prediction W)
SMU turned a close game at the half into a blowout via 28 second-half points. (Rooting L, Prediction W)
Now then. on to this week’s games!
Game 1: #8 Miami at California
It’s not just sour grapes. Virginia Tech proved last week that Miami is beatable. Given the Hurricanes’ schedule, it is difficult to see them dropping two conference games, but this road tilt with Cal is certainly losable. That said, Cal’s offense is pretty anemic, and Berkeley is not exactly known for presenting the sort of harsh road environment that intimidates opponents.
Rooting Interest: Cal
Game 2: SMU at #22 Louisville
In a game that only matters to Tech thanks to conference realignment (not just this latest round), the question comes down to the remaining schedule. If SMU wins the game, the Mustangs would suddenly have an inside track to the conference championship game. Meanwhile, Louisville still has plenty of good teams remaining on its schedule.
Rooting Interest: Louisville
Game 3: #15 Clemson at Florida St.
How does Florida St. have even a 15% chance of winning this game? The Seminoles have played horribly this season, and now they have to start a backup quarterback. The only hope for the home side is that Clemson reverts, offensively, to the team that got blasted by Georgia. The problem is that this FSU defense is a far cry from Georgia’s. All that said, Tech fans should root for a miracle upset.
Rooting Interest: Florida St.