Virginia Tech football's FPI surges after rout of Old Dominion

The Virginia Tech football team picked up a much-needed impressive victory at Old Dominion Saturday night, 37-17. Aside from some late first-quarter and second-quarter struggles by the Hokies offense, it was a performance that Brent Pry’s team needed.

One would think that a 20-point win over the 0-3 Monarchs wouldn’t have that much of an impact, but apparently, it did. Virginia Tech saw their College Football Index (FPI) surprisingly surge following the win in Norfolk over their in-state non-conference foe.

Virginia Tech FPI surges following Old Dominion win

Following Virginia Tech’s win over Old Dominion, the Hokies’ ESPN FPI soared up 12 spots to No. 38 and it was one of the bigger jumps by some teams following the weekend results. Surprisingly, it went up 12 spots as Marshall was idle and after Vanderbilt was upset (that sounds weird) at Georgia State in the final minute.

This week’s opponent for Virginia Tech, Rutgers, is at No. 47 after a bye week and wins over Howard and Akron to begin the season. Certainly, a win over the Scarlet Knights will help the Hokies ranking. Right behind them is Kentucky, which took No. 1 at the time, Georgia, down to the wire at home before losing 13-12.

Three ACC opponents on Virginia Tech’s schedule are ranked ahead of them. Miami (3-0), who the Hokies travel to on Sept. 27, is at No. 8, Boston College, which visits Blacksburg in October under first-year coach Bill O’Brien, is at No. 23 and up a spot after their one-possession loss at Missouri Saturday. Georgia Tech (3-1), which also visits Virginia Tech in October, is two spots ahead of them at No. 36.

Some people don’t care much for the FPI and I get it, however, seeing it jump 12 spots after a win over ODU is surprising.