College Football: 3 underrated non-conference games to watch in 2020

1. Penn State at Virginia Tech

For two schools with a rich college football history and only separated by 366 miles, it’s surprising that Penn State and Virginia Tech have never met up. Sharing common opponents such as West Virginia and Maryland, it feels as if a mini-regional rivalry could brew between this season’s matchup and the return trip to State College in 2025.

Me trying to create a fake rivalry aside, both programs are facing challenges in different ways going into the 2020 season. Starting with Penn State, James Franklin is entering a year in which the Nittany Lions are expected to challenge not only for a Big Ten championship, but a spot in the College Football Playoff.

On offense, 2019’s leading rusher Journey Brown will accompany quarterback Sean Clifford as the key members for newly hired offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Yes, KJ Hamler leaving for the NFL Draft will hurt but reinforcements are en route with three different four-star wide receivers in the 2020 class.

Flipping to the defense, Penn State returns 63 percent of its production, including standout linebacker Micah Parsons. The Nittany Lions’ defense only allowed 16 points a game last season, only falling behind Ohio State is most major statistical categories.

Going into the Commonwealth state, Justin Fuente’s seat is starting to gain heat, needing some kind of signature victory to reignite Virginia Tech’s program. The 2019 season ended in major disappointment, losing to in-state rivals Virginia for the first time since 2003 and to Kentucky in their bowl game.

Things have been rough on the recruiting stretch too, with Virginia Tech continually losing top in-state players to such programs such as Penn State. At the time of posting, the Hokies are currently second to last in the ACC in 247Sports’ recruiting rankings, only having two in-state prospects and zero blue-chip players.

If you are looking for a real rivalry in this matchup, it will be the two stadiums trying to out-duel each other’s atmosphere. Both Lane and Beaver Stadium are hosts to great traditions such as ‘Enter Sandman’ for Virginia Tech and Penn State’s annual whiteout. Blacksburg will be first on the docket, with State College getting its turn in 2025.

The game itself will be competitive as well, with both teams needing a win before starting conference play. Both have expectations of not only being in their respective conference championship games but attempting to make the New Year’s Six and possibly the College Football Playoff. Winning this game would be a great resume boost for both schools.