Going into the 2024 season, the Virginia Tech football team was a school that had playoff aspirations for the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Things went south quickly and those dreams were dashed in Week 1 at Vanderbilt.
With the expansion of the playoff field, it opens the door for more teams. One of those schools that has been trying to get there is Miami. The Hurricanes were in prime position to get to the ACC title game undefeated to set themselves up to make the field win or lose. However, Miami dropped a pair of games in November, at Georgia Tech and Syracuse, which dashed any hopes they had.
It was a disappointing end in South Florida with a talented team. Head coach Mario Cristobal reloaded his roster through the transfer portal, which included landing former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. It remains to be seen if that puts them over the top in the ACC, but for the second straight season, the Hurricanes will be facing some difficult road games in November 2025.
Virginia Tech named Miami's defining game for 2025
ESPN did a story on games that will define each top 25 football team's season. When it came to Miami's games, their season-defining game certainly raised some eyebrows. They listed Miami's defining game at Virginia Tech on Nov. 22.
That is somewhat surprising and as pointed out in the article, Miami also has to go to Pittsburgh in November. The reason for this thinking is clear, a warm-weather school having to head to a pair of cold schools in November is not always a recipe for success. Then, of course, you must factor in what happened back in September to the Hokies, and their team and fans will be waiting for the Hurricanes.
By now you know, Virginia Tech had a touchdown off a Hail Mary on the game's final play overturned to add more injury to the Hokies' season. Again, say what you will, but there was no indisputable evidence to overturn the call in the field.
Who knows where the two teams will become the weekend before Thanksgiving, but this could be a huge game for both teams, Miami in terms of trying to get into the ACC Championship Game and Virginia Tech trying to become bowl-eligible.