Recently we reviewed the ACC’s best 25 OOC wins of the decade so far. Some really good wins got left off the list, so I decided for a little off-season reading to give you the best five OOC wins for each ACC team so far this decade starting with Virginia Tech.
Click below for each ACC team
Georgia Tech | Duke | UNC | Virginia | Miami | Pittsburgh | Louisville | Clemson | Wake Forest | Florida State | Boston College | Syracuse | NC State
1. Virginia Tech 35 #8 Ohio State 21 – September 6, 2014 (#10 on ACC Top 25 OOC Win List of Decade)
Ohio State lost one game in 2014 on their way to the National Title and it was at home to the Virginia Tech Hokies. This game is a little lower on the top 25 ACC OOC wins list because Virginia Tech couldn’t use it to propel itself to a great season. It was more of a singular event than some of the other games. That said we were again able to see the genius of Bud Foster as a defensive coordinator. Foster called a masterpiece of a game, and the Buckeyes had no answer. This result very nearly kept Ohio State out of the college football playoff.
2. #16 Virginia Tech 35 Arkansas 24 – December 29, 2016
No one will confuse a 7-5 Arkansas as a great team, but this game was significant for a couple of reasons. Arkansas led the game 24-0 at the Half, and in the biggest comeback in Virginia Tech history the Hokies stormed back for a 35-24 win. It was the Hokies first 10+ win season since 2011, and validated the Hokies 2016 ACC Coastal Division Title. The win was part of the ACC’s remarkable 9-3 bowl record, and 10-4 record against the SEC in 2016.
3. #21 Virginia Tech 31 #22 West Virginia 24 – September 3, 2017
All I could think when this game was over was how impressed I was by the poise of red-shirt freshman Josh Jackson in the 2nd half. In his first start and on national TV against a quality opponent he threw for 235 yards and ran for 101. The Hokies needed it too as West Virginia QB Will Grier was on fire most of the game. It was matchup of historical rivals that generated a great atmosphere at Fed Ex Field home of the Washington Redskins.
4. Virginia Tech 34 Notre Dame 31 – November 19, 2016
In 2016 Notre Dame was not very good, as they went 4-8. That didn’t mean this win wasn’t a huge deal. The Hokies got behind 17-0, but roared back for 34-31 win in South Bend. The win helped the Hokies have a 10 win season, and solidified that Justin Fuente was the right hire in just his first year. It was the first time Virginia Tech had ever played at Notre Dame. The Hokies had a couple of bigtime comebacks in 2016, and we saw two of those on this list.
5. Virginia Tech 33 Cincinnati 17 – December 27, 2014
At one point in 2014 Virginia Tech was 5-6, and just managed to sneak into a bowl game. In the 2014 Military Bowl they faced AAC co-champ Cincinnati coached by Tommy Tubberville. The Bearcats were on a 7 game winning streak and looking for a 10 win season. The Hokies played an inspired game in winning 33-17. At the time it was the Hokies 22nd straight winning season.
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2 pings
Hokie Mark says:
May 17, 2018 at 12:36 am (UTC -5)
I like the fact that 3 of these came under HC Fuente’s watch. The future looks bright!
Jfann says:
May 18, 2018 at 11:32 pm (UTC -5)
Indeed!