Virginia Tech Hokies Football Tickets

In 1999 the Hokies played in the National Title Game going 22-2 in a two year stretch. They have now been to 13 straight bowls (6-7). This decade they've started a lot of seasons strong and tallied off at the end. In 2002 VT knocked off 4 ranked teams to open the year at 8-0 and rose to #3, unfortunately they were 1-4 in their final 5. They appeared to be a National Title contender in 2003 and opened 6-0 and #3 in the BCS poll but after losing their bowl to Cal finished just 8-5. In 2004 they had just 10 starters back and were actually picked 6th, 7th or 8th in the ACC. I had them rated higher than all the others at #4 and they even exceeded my expectations as the Hokies nearly upset defending National Champ USC in the opener. For once, they finished strong including a win at Miami in the Orange Bowl which won them the ACC Title. They almost knocked off undefeated Auburn in the Sugar Bowl finishing a solid 10-3. That team benefitted from +13 in turnovers and did outscore ACC foes by a league best 12.8 ppg. Last year they were the preseason favorite to win the ACC and were ranked the highest ever in the preseason coaches poll at #7. They were very fortunate in the opener as NCSt outgained them 438-232 but VT escaped. They dealt WV their only loss of the season and did so in Morgantown convincingly 34-17, with a 23-11 FD edge. They routed #13 BC at home 30-10 which set up a showdown between 8-0 #3 VT and #5 Miami. There was talk of a National Title but unfortunately Miami dominated the game in Blacksburg 27-7. Heading to a BCS bowl, they were a 14.5 point fav to win the ACC Title game but were knocked off by Fla St. They trailed in the bowl 24-21 but with the win finished 11 -2 and #7. They do have just 10 returning starters (fewest ACC) and also lostQB Vick. VTdid have the best ypg of any team in ACC play (+128.8). The offense has just 5 starters back and probably won't be as potent as in 2005 (33.8 ppg). The last two years Tech's defense has allowed just 12.8 and 12.9 ppg but lose a pair of 1 st Tm AA players in DE Tapp and CB Williams and with just 5 starters back, may be down a notch. VT "earned" 21 points in my Draft Day Party Hangover (see pg 308). Matching up Tech's talent to their schedule, I see them favored in 11 of their 12 games as they get eight home games this year. The only game they'll be a dog in is at Miami where they did win two years aqo.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football 2006 Schedule