When the 2024 season started for for the Virginia Tech football team, there was a lot of hype with the way the 2023 season ended all the retainment they had. Add in some transfer portal additions and everything was setting up for the program to take the next step in the rebuild under Brent Pry.
After losing to Vanderbilt in the season opener in overtime, the Hokies scuffled over the final 11 games between frustrating losses and wins, which forced them to go into the Commonwealth Cup at 5-6 and needing a win just to become bowl eligible. Not what fans envisioned when the season started.
Playing their third-string quarterback against Virginia in youngster Pop Watson, the Hokies beat the Cavaliers, 37-17, to become bowl-eligible at 6-6. The win guarantees a second straight bowl game, but after the game, Pry made a comment that will rub a lot of Virginia Tech fans the wrong way.
Brent Pry has to be kidding with comment after Virginia victory
Following the win, the 19th in the last 20 for the Hokies in the Commonwealth Cup, Pry was asked if the program has improved after a second consecutive 6-6 season. Here is his response,
"Yeah, without a doubt,'' said Pry. "We're a better team. There's plenty of growth and development. We have so many first and second-year players that are making strides. That's why I think this bowl prep is going to be really important for a bunch of them. We're going to lose some old guys that have certainly made a lot of plays around here, but we've got a good group coming."
This was an important win in terms of looking ahead to 2025 with extra practice and a bowl game, however, to say that the program has improved from this point last season is not going to sit well with fans. When the season started, not many people, if any, had them going 6-6 again. Was the new 12-team College Football Playoff an unrealistic goal? Probably, but and eight or nine win season was something that was in reach. Instead, it seems like Pry is happy with beating Virginia to just become bowl-eligible for a second straight season.
Virginia Tech fans expect better and another 6-6 season with all the retainment and hype is not going to sit well. Neither is this comment. It's a tad out-of-touch and the diehard fans will not take it very well. Yes, another bowl is great and huge, but eight or nine wins would make everyone feel better. May we remind everyone that if it wasn't for poor clock management, questionable decisions, and some coaching malpractice, eight or nine wins (maybe 10) would have been well within reach in 2024?
Remember, this is the same person who said back in July that he would be disappointed if this year's team didn't make the ACC Championship Game. Dare I remind everyone that the Hokies went 5-3 in the ACC last season and 4-4 this season and they're a better team? Yikes.