ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 5: There’s a Hurricane brewing

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0, 1-0)

The Virginia Tech Hokies were the other Virginia school to make a resounding debut in their season opener. The Hokies throttled the North Carolina State Wolfpack 45-24 despite missing 23 players — including starting quarterback Hendon Hooker — and four coaches due to COVID-19 issues. Fortunately for the Hokies, the transfer portal paid off in this game.

Kansas transfer Khalil Herbert ran for 104 yards and a touchdown. Quincy Patterson threw two touchdowns in relief of Braxton Burmister — an Oregon transfer — who left the game with an injury. It did not matter who was behind center for the Hokies; the offense wanted to run the football a lot. Using the “by committee” approach, the Hokies ran for 314 yards on 41 carries.

The defense handled the Wolfpack offense quickly as well. Fourteen of NC States’ 24 points came when the game was well in hand for Tech. The Hokies had two interceptions and six sacks against the Wolfpack offense. This was an impressive performance considering the players they were missing.

Despite dealing with COVID-19 issues for two weeks (which led to postponing their game against Virginia) the Hokies looked sharp without Hooker or defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton. The Hokies had no turnovers and committed only five penalties the entire game.

The Hokies travel to Durham to take on the Blue Devils this weekend.