It’s unlikely that Virginia Tech football qualifies for the College Football Playoff (CFP) in year one under new head coach James Franklin, but in a crowded ACC that seems to have Miami as the favorite, any team can give itself a chance if they grab enough wins.
The expanded CFP format has created more avenues for teams outside the traditional national powers to compete for a postseason berth. However, Virginia Tech still faces a difficult path. With programs across the ACC expected to contend for conference championship positioning, the margin for error remains small. For the Hokies, reaching double-digit victories likely represents the benchmark necessary to enter serious CFP discussions.
That pursuit begins with handling the games in which Virginia Tech will be favored. The Hokies cannot afford early-season slipups against opponents they are expected to defeat. Building momentum throughout September would not only improve their record but also help establish confidence for the more demanding portion of the schedule later in the fall…