The Virginia Tech football team began the season 3-0 under James Franklin after a 35-26 win at Maryland a week ago. They were overlooked by the voters in the Associated Press Top 25 despite having results go their way, including No. 25 Virginia losing to West Virginia.
However, the Hokies ended up further out of the Top 25 than some thought, although it wasn't surprising they were on the outside looking in. On Saturday, Virginia Tech went on the road as a double-digit favorite at Boston College, but they were not only playing the Eagles but also Mother Nature in a nasty Nor'easter that is battering the Northeast for days. The Hokies rallied for a win, but it wasn't enough to impress the voters in the last AP Top 25 poll released on Sunday.
Virginia Tech remains outside AP Top 25
Trailing Boston College 14-6 in the third quarter, Virginia Tech rallied with two late touchdowns to escape Chestnut Hill with a 21-14 victory. Was it pretty and filled with style points? Nope, but that was just fine with James Franklin.
"There's part of me that's going to say this wasn't the prettiest win, but there's part of me that's going to say this is as pretty as it gets," said Franklin, per Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline after the game.
Given the conditions, that was a win that every single coach in college football would take. There are going to be times when you have to win games in those conditions, and sometimes it isn't pretty. It was stunning that the line never dropped, given the weather conditions that were discussed all week leading into the game.
As for this week's poll, not only was Virginia Tech left out, but so were Duke and Wake Forest, two teams that have just as much of a case to be in there as Virginia Tech does. Pick up a win on Friday night at home over an undefeated Pittsburgh squad, and maybe that might get Virginia Tech ranked. Truth be told, Franklin likely loves flying under the radar.
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