Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Florida State

Entering their second straight ACC game Saturday afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium against fifth-ranked Florida State, the Virginia Tech football team knew they were facing an uphill climb against not just the best team in the conference, but one of the best ones in the country.

Say what you will, but the Hokies looked intimidated from the opening kickoff and played like it in a 39-17 loss before making things respectable. Here are three takeaways as Tech falls to 2-4 in the 2023 season.

Virginia Tech found out quickly Florida State was not Pitt

For the first time in the Brent Pry era at Virginia Tech, the Hokies put together a complete performance in a 38-21 win over Pittsburgh past Saturday night at Lane Stadium. I know I’m not breaking any news here, but the Hokies quickly learned that the Seminoles are a different animal than anyone they’ve played this season.

Florida State’s team speed was on another level than the Hokies or Old Dominion, Purdue, Rutgers, Marshall, or Pittsburgh. Again, but that’s not breaking news. Their skilled position players made plays, quarterback Jordan Travis was electric with his feet and arm, and their defense was getting off the ball fast on Virginia Tech’s offensive line.

The good news for the Hokies is that the Seminoles are hands down the best team remaining on their schedule and they will not face a team with size and speed at nearly every position they have. They look like a legit National Championship team.