Virginia Tech Football: Hokies will be legitimate ACC contenders in 2018

Justin Fuente has his most talented team yet at Virginia Tech football this year. Can they break through, and end their ACC title drought in 2018?

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After being hired to replace the legendary Frank Beamer, Justin Fuente had his work cut out for him. On top of the challenge of following a legend, he took over a team that had sat in mediocrity for four straight seasons. After dominating for much of the 2000s, Virginia Tech fell off a bit at the end of Beamer’s tenure.

Eight straight double-digit win seasons had spoiled Tech fans. When the Hokies won either seven or eight games each season from 2012 to 2015, it was time for a change. Beamer, who had coached at Virginia Tech for 29 years, finally retired after 2015.

After decades of struggles before Beamer, Tech knew how important the hire to replace Beamer was. A bad hire could’ve ruined all his work, and returned them to the bottom of college football.

Two years into the Justin Fuente era, it looks like Virginia Tech has found the perfect coach to continue their winning tradition. The Hokies went 10-4 in 2016, and came up just short of an ACC title.

2017 was a tiny step back, as they broke in a new quarterback, but the Hokies still went 9-4, just narrowly missing a second ACC championship appearance under Fuente.

Last season was a story of missed opportunities. After a big win to kick off the season against, the Hokies climbed all the way to 12th in the country. At 4-0, they welcomed Clemson to town, and got demolished.

Humbled, Tech rattled off three straight wins, and traveled to Coral Gables at 7-1, and 13th in the country. Once again, they couldn’t take advantage on the big stage. Miami handled them easily, and another loss to Georgia Tech the next week ended any ACC title hopes. A blown lead against Oklahoma State in the bowl game that resulted in a 30-21 loss was a fitting end.

After that frustrating campaign, Virginia Tech is hungry and ready to strike in 2018. The Hokies have a great roster, returning production, and talented youngsters. Is this the year they end their eight-year ACC title drought?