Yeah, sadly I still do read ESPN's CFB news. Even though they play Michigan and Stanford before us, Bryan Kelly seems to be using some strange techniques to prepare his squad for the showdown at Lane.
Notre Dame opens with a massive test as it hosts Michigan on Saturday, and Stanford visits four weeks later. Both games are crucial to the team's CFP profile, which affords almost no wiggle room. But players and coaches spotlight a different game -- Oct. 6 at Virginia Tech -- as one that will truly test whether the offseason worked.
The Sandman is coming at Lane Stadium, and the Irish had better be ready.
"We're going to go to Blacksburg, Virginia, on a nationally televised stage," Kelly said. "It's going to be crazy, there's going to be chaos. You can plan, but you're going to have to handle the moment."
Most TKP contributors highlighted the Miami or GT games as the most pivotal of the season.
1. What are the odds this will be a night game?
2. If tech beats FSU and Duke -- will this be a top 10, primetime matchup?
3. Win or lose, what implications would this really have (if both teams came in unbeaten)?
Comments
Wow. Just saw someone posted the exact same topic a few minutes ago. Sorry for the re-post.
Same source different kind of post. You're questions are totally legit. Here's what I think.
What are the odds this will be a night game?
Edited:
I would think pretty high if both teams are looking good
but given NBC's deal with NDI would think this would be a night game even if only ND is looking good.If tech beats FSU and Duke -- will this be a top 10, primetime matchup?
I think it would very difficult for VT to climb into the top 10 by Oct 6. If we win out up the point we all have beaten only one ranked team (FSU) and that team is ranked 19th in both polls. So... I would say no.
Win or lose, what implications would this fall have (if both teams came in unbeaten)
I think that depends on what happens down the road. A loss for Notre Dame could put them on the outside looking in with respect to the CFP even if they run the table apart from VT. A win from Notre Dame would displace an ACC team in bowls if they continue to play well.
Notre Dame has a mixed schedule with some tough teams (Mich, Stanford and USC) and some not so tough teams (Ball St, Vandy, Wake, Northwestern). Everyone else fits in the middle. It's hard to say where VT and FSU fit. Maybe around the tough teams, maybe a little below. At this point it's hard to say how any number of losses affect their CFP standings.
I agree with all your answers - but this is ESPN's call here on the time/channel, since it is a VT home game.
Uh-oh. I probably should have looked that up.
NBC only has the rights to ND home games
Ooops. My Bad.
If Tech is 5-0 they will be in the top 10 - other teams will have lost ahead of them
This game is going to be off the rails energy wise, but the tipping point will be whether or not we beat FSU and liquify William and Mary, ECU, ODU, and Duke. We go in there 5-0 that place is gonna be insane.
If both teams are undefeated, it will be a top 10 matchup and almost definitely a night game. No matter what I can't picture it being any earlier than 3:30. It would also be a candidate to host Gameday. Other notable games that week:
Nebraska @ Wisconsin
Red River Shootout
FSU @ Miami
Auburn @ Miss St
Obviously I'm getting way ahead of myself, but if we win this game on the big stage after starting 5-0 including another statement win in Tallahassee, it would be a huge boost to the national perception of Virginia Tech Football. Of course we would have to avoid collapsing the rest of the way like Miami did last year, but these are the games we have to start winning if we want to recruit at the level needed to compete with the best in the country again.
That's a hell of a slate for the opening day of bow season!
You will be all alone..... Awesome!!!
This doesn't fall into the "most pivotal" category because it's not a conference game so it doesn't affect the Hokies' ability to reach the ACC Championship. Regardess this game is going to draw a ton of viewers and could play a pivotal role in the national perception of the team.
Yeah, depends on the measure of pivotal one chooses, but I would think that national perception, as well as the ever important local perception (for recruitment purposes) are definitely of extreme importance. If we hope for more than ACC glory, we need to get back in the national conversation and beating ND when they're up is going to be a good step in that direction. Maybe not most pivotal for ACC, but maybe worthy of a most pivotal overall.
Getting to the ACC Championship game is more pivotal than an out of conference game.
Doesn't matter a lot for the postseason (this year) but what does is the potential snowball effect of winning these nationally televised games, getting ranked higher, recruiting better, then repeat. That's how Clemson got where they are. I think good national perception could be a turning point for the 2019 and 2020 classes just as it was for 2017 and 2018
Good, let them think past their other competition before us. Big mistake.
Hokies gonna go 1-0 every week, and then gonna bring the hammer at home.
Let's do this!!!.......
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