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Virginia Tech: 3 Takeaways from the 17-10 win over #10 North Carolina

By Michael Hanich

Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Students ran onto the field to share in the victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels with Virginia Tech Hokies offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) following the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Students ran onto the field to share in the victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels with Virginia Tech Hokies offensive lineman Luke Tenuta (69) following the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown (right) hugs Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Justin Fuente on his victory following the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown (right) hugs Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Justin Fuente on his victory following the game at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Hokies are a legitimate threat in the ACC

With the Tar Heels losing, the door swings open for more teams in the Coastal Division to clinch a spot into the ACC Conference title. The Hokies have a good shot to go for their first divisional title since 2016. They will still have to face the Miami Hurricanes on the road, which will be their most difficult game going forward. They will have to host the Pittsburgh Panthers on October 16th. The Panthers, along with the Virginia Cavaliers, are their biggest roadblocks to a Coastal Division title for Virginia Tech.

In their eight-game ACC Conference schedule, the Hokies have to the six other teams in the Coastal Division and two more teams from the Atlantic Division. Virginia Tech will play the Syracuse Orange at home and the Boston College Eagles on the road. Last season, the Orange finished with the worst overall record in the conference with 1-10. The Eagles are in their second season of a rebuilding process with Jeff Hafley as head coach.

After a 44-13 loss to the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide this past Saturday, the Hurricanes have shown they are vulnerable on both sides of the ball. The Panthers, however, kicked off their 2021 season with a 51-7 win over the UMass Minutemen. Both Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh are no longer dark horse candidates for the Coastal Division title with North Carolina losing.

As long as the Hokies remain consistent on the offensive side of the ball and highly efficient on defense like they were against North Carolina, Virginia Tech will be heavy contenders for the Coastal Division and have a great season.

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