Virginia Tech Football: 3 takeaways from late Belk Bowl loss to Kentucky

1. What is next for both Kentucky and Virginia Tech heading into 2020?

This was a fun exhibition game of sorts, as Belk ended its sponsorship of the Charlotte bowl game in style with a contest that went right down to the wire. How much it can tell us about either of these programs beyond how 2019 finished, though, is somewhat limited.

We know the Kentucky offense will look much different next year when they turn to someone other than Bowden at quarterback. They will likely have more run/pass balance with someone more traditionally suited to the quarterback position. The Wildcats will also lose some key players down the spine of the defense to graduation, leading to more questions on that side of the ball.

For Virginia Tech, the end of an era is in the books as Bud Foster heads off into retirement. The Hokies will be promoting safeties coach Justin Hamilton to take over Foster’s coordinator spot, and it will be interesting to see whether the continuity helps or hurts a unit in need of reassessing its identity. A young offense in 2019 should show improvement as it matures in 2020.

In other words, don’t read too much into what this Belk Bowl says about both teams for the future. Neither Kentucky in victory nor Virginia Tech in defeat is likely to receive a bowl bump or a bowl slump in the preseason polls next August.

Instead, revel in what turned out to be a thriller to the final whistle that capped a wild season for Bowden and crew.