College Football 2021: 3 under-the-radar games to watch in Week 3

3. (15) Virginia Tech at West Virginia

Not as widely known as other rivalries, the Black Diamond Trophy will be up for grabs again after a four year hiatus as Virginia Tech travels to Morgantown to take on West Virginia. This will be the 53rd meeting between the two schools, with the Mountaineers sporting a five game series lead but the Hokies winners of the last three matchups.

Virginia Tech earned this season’s first big upset by defeating then tenth ranked North Carolina 17-10 in Week 1. Last weekend the Hokies posted a fairly comfortable win over Middle Tennessee State. The Hokie offense is not full of high octane playmakers but they are getting the job done, especially on the ground. They also are playing solid defensive ball.

West Virginia lost a close but entertaining game to Maryland in Week 1 followed by a blowout victory over Long Island a week ago. Like the Hokies, the Mountaineers do not have a high powered offense but their defense has been pretty solid. Where they need to clean up their game is in the turnover department. They gave up four against the Terps and that was ultimately the difference in a six point game.

Rivalry games are always fun to watch. Since Virginia Tech left the Big East in 2004, the teams have only played sporadically. This year’s meeting and next year’s in Blacksburg are the last two meetings for the foreseeable future. Fans of these schools and rivalry should enjoy it.