Virginia Tech Football: How Week 8 in the ACC impacted the Hokies

The Virginia Tech football team had their much-needed bye week this weekend, but that didn’t stop there from being several storylines that could end up affecting the Hokies down the line. It was one of more crazier weekends in 2023 for the ACC. Here is a review and what it could mean for Brent Pry’s team over the final five weeks.

How did Week 8 affect Virginia Tech over the final five weeks?

The first game of the day does have an impact on the Hokies. Boston College went on the road and rallied for a 38-23 win over Georgia Tech. The Eagles got one of the better pick-6s in the second quarter, then used a big second-half offensive explosion to improve to 4-3. That is where BC can affect Virginia Tech as the Hokies head up to Chestnut Hill on Nov. 11 in a game that could very well be a Bowl-elimination game for one of the teams. This is going to be a tougher game than originally thought.

In a battle of two teams that lost to the Hokies in the last three weeks, Wake Forest got a gift from Pittsburgh to rally for an improbable 21-17 victory at home. It was a struggle offensively for both teams until late in the game. Fortunately for the Demon Deacons, they were able to catch a late break to improve to 4-3.

The shocker of the night and the weekend across college football, Virginia went into Chapel Hill and stunned the undefeated and 10th-ranked North Carolina 31-27. This is a stunning loss for the Tar Heels and a giant victory for the Cavaliers who picked up their second win. The final game of the season on Thanksgiving Weekend just got a little more interesting for the Hokies.

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In the primetime slot on ABC, Duke jumped out to an early 10-0 lead at Florida State and went into halftime with a lead, but the Seminoles rolled in the second half after Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard left with an injury to a 38-20 win. The win puts FSU, who outscored Duke 21-0 in the second half, in more control of their path to the ACC title game in December.

The final game of the night between Miami and Clemson does not affect Virginia Tech this season as they play neither team, but the Hurricanes rallied from a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime and win 28-20. Clemson is entering territory it is not used to under Dabo Swinney.

Overall, if there is one thing to take away from the weekend, it’s that the Virginia Tech schedule is doable to reach bowl eligibility, but Boston College and Virginia are going to be tougher road games than first thought. First up, however, is Syracuse Thursday night at Lane Stadium.