Virginia Tech Bowl Projections: Hokies Projected to Have Some High-Profile Matchups

Following a 21-6 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday at Lane Stadium, the Virginia Tech football team inched closer to becoming bowl-eligible. At 5-3, the Hokies need one more win in their last four games, beginning this Saturday afternoon at Syracuse.

ESPN’s FPI gives Virginia Tech a 98.2% chance of becoming bowl-eligible with a sixth win. As we move closer to the final month of the season, November, here are the latest bowl projections for the Hokies.

Sun Bowl vs. USC

Brad Crawford of 247Sports has the Hokies playing on New Year’s Eve afternoon against the Trojans in the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. What a matchup this would be for Virginia Tehc based on brand name alone. Lincoln Riley, USC football, and a national TV broadcast (CBS) would be a big step up from the Military Bowl last season.

Fenway Bowl vs. South Florida

Speaking of CBS, Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has the Hokies this week heading to Boston to play at historic Fenway Park against South Florida in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. The Bulls out of the Big 12 would be an interesting matchup in what could be some very cold (and potentially snowy or rainy) weather in the Northeast.

Pinstripe Bowl vs. Minnesota

Speaking of the Northeast in late December, Kyle Bonagura of ESPN has Virginia Tech projected this week for the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, also on Dec. 28, but at noon. The Hokies have some Pinstripe Bowl history, getting smoked by Maryland in 2021 after Justin Fuente was fired and Brent Pry was hired from Penn State.

Gator Bowl vs. Tennessee

Speaking of a brand-name matchup, Mark Schlabach of ESPN has the Hokies playing Tennessee in the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl. The Vols out of the SEC would be the toughest of these matchups for the Hokies, but then again, who knows who would be dressed for both teams as non-College Football Playoff teams generally have players who prepare for the NFL Draft or enter the portal tend to opt-out of bowl games.

This will all change on a week-by-week basis, but it’s always fun and interesting to see the different matchups from week to week.