Josh Pate Lists Virginia Tech as a "Playoff Contender"

Pate says Virginia Tech is one of the ACC's main playoff contenders.

Oct 7, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry watches gameplay from the sidelines during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports / Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech has sneakily entered themselves into the conversation with some of the top teams in the ACC. Behind the ACC's big three of Miami, Clemson, and Florida State; it's hard to say Virginia Tech is very far from that group. For a school that had fallen from grace in recent years, Brent Pry's 2023 year felt like a reassurance for Virginia Tech fans. A 7-6 win-loss record, and a bowl win will certainly get you into big ACC conversations. It's no question that the schedule for Virginia Tech helps them too. According to ESPN's preseason FPI (Football Power Index) ratings, Virginia Tech only plays three "Top 50" schools, and two "Top 25" schools. This could be a very important piece to the Virginia Tech puzzle.

Virginia Tech has fallen under the flag of the underrated ACC team in the media, which is a very fair assessment of the season to come. On episode 529 of the Late Kick with Josh Pate, he went through teams that he would list as 12-team playoff contenders in the ACC:

"Virginia Tech? Yes, playoff contender in the ACC. One of the best defenses in the conference. Their identity makes so much sense: play rock solid defense, they can run the ball, and may have the best rushing in the conference. That's especially true if Kyron [Drones] gives them what we hear, think we give them at quarterback. So, you got [an] elite run game, a high level defense, they're hungry, they've got a very manageable schedule... But, what if Virginia Tech welcomes Clemson to town, and it's a top-10, top-15 showdown? It's not hard to envision really, because until that point Virginia Tech's toughest game is at Miami. That is week five, and then they go to Stanford, they go to Stan-, they go to-. Why are we doing this? I live in Blacksburg, Virginia, I'm [going to] have to fly to Miami, and then come home, and then I'm [going to] have to fly to Palo Alto, California with no bye week? I have to do that, really? Be that as it may, they should still win the game. Then, they come home, bye week, Boston College, Georgia Tech at home, at [Syracuse], and then Clemson. They may be favored in all of those games, or at least have a really good shot to win all of 'em. So, yeah that game against Clemson, November 9th, the point I'm making to you is they could split the Miami and Clemson games, and be in the ACC title game. This is a playoff contender."

Virginia Tech truly has a shot at the new 12-team playoff. It's still a question to how many ACC teams will be in the playoff, due to the SEC and Big 10 likely taking most at large bids. However, it's not ridiculous to think that two ACC teams could make it to the playoff, and if Virginia Tech can simply get to the ACC title game, they surely give themselves a large chance.