CFB Most Influential Programs
#39: Virginia Tech Hokies
School: Virginia Tech Hokies
First Game: October 21st, 1892
Winning Percentage: .602 (26th)
Appearances in AP/Rank: 311 (28th)
Average AP Ranking: 13.8
National Titles: 0
Claim to Fame: Beamer Ball, Enter Sandman, could never quite get over the hump for a national championship
Why I have them in my Collection:
Putting Virginia Tech in this collection may seem biased as I am someone who has called Virginia home for almost their entire life. However, the Hokies have been a major part of college football from the Frank Beamer years, despite falling on rough times as of late.
From Beamer Ball focusing on special teams, to their famed Enter Sandman entrance, Michael Vick, and a number of other notables, Virginia Tech was always in the conversation for a potential national championship in the 90s and early 2000s. Had there been expanded playoffs, the Hokies would have likely featured multiple times.
As other programs in the state like JMU, Liberty, and ODU moved up to FBS and Richmond and William & Mary continued to recruit well at the FCS level, the Hokies have seen a downward shift in Virginia talent dominance. Pair that with the likes of Penn State, Tennessee, and UNC also picking off Virginia prospects, Virginia Tech has certainly taken a dip.
But make no mistake, they are certainly a sleeping giant, and don’t be surprised if they start to factor into college football playoff discussions for the foreseeable future.
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