10. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech salvaged at least some of the 2018 season by extending their winning streak over rival Virginia to 15 games on Black Friday, taking down the Cavaliers in overtime in Blacksburg.
The win allows the Hokies the opportunity to extend a much more important streak – their nation’s leading bowl streak which currently sits at 25 consecutive years. They scheduled a game against Marshall that was contingent on Virginia Tech beating Virginia last weekend to make up for a cancelled game against East Carolina in September due to Hurricane Florence.
That game is by no means a gimme though, and the Hokies currently sit as just a 4.5 point favorite according to oddsshark.com. Scheduling a make-up game to get bowl eligible and then losing would certainly add insult to injury on a frustrating season in Blacksburg.
Justin Fuente‘s team had a lot to replace, particularly defensively, but entered the season ranked 17th in the Coaches and 20th in the AP Poll. Many thought they would challenge for the Coastal Division crown.
They ascended as high as 13th after an impressive season opening win over Florida State, where Bud Foster’s defense looked as suffocating as ever.
It all came crashing down in Norfolk, as the Hokies were embarrassed 49-35 by an Old Dominion team that finished 4-8 and near the bottom of the C-USA. Virginia Tech won a couple of games on Tobacco Road sandwiched between a loss to Notre Dame.
After that, it all game crashing down as they dropped four straight games, the typically stingy Foster defense getting repeatedly gouged and humiliated, particularly in giving up 492 rushing yards to Pitt. On the season Virginia Tech has given up over 200 yards per game on the ground, ranking 104th in the nation.
Fuente’s first two seasons were solid if unspectacular, and this season he’ll be fortunate if he can scrape his way into a bowl game. He’s not on the hot seat yet, but he won’t have a long leash after replacing a coaching legend like Frank Beamer.