There are a lot of bowl scenarios out there but going with the most likeliest scenario being that Clemson ends up going to the Orange Bowl and that the 3 top non-BCS ACC bowls will pick between Duke, VT, and Miami. I think the Chick Fil-A will go with Miami because of brand name that casual fans recognize and if the CFA bowl gets Texas A&M the bowl reps would want to pick the ACC team with the best offense to have a made for TV offensive shoot out. The Russell Athletic Bowl is likely to get Louisville from the AAC and I believe the obvious ACC choice is VT.
There is a history between VT and Louisville with their most recent matchup in the infamous Gator Bowl known for the Marcus Vick stomp and Hunter Caldwell getting beat up to a pulp. I believe most VT fans have fond memories of how dominant the defense was that year and I'm sure there's still a grudge from Louisville fans. There's been a total of 7 matchups between VT and Louisville since 1979 with the next matchup not being until 2020 unless they meet in an ACC championship game or this year in Orlando. I also understand there's some animosity among older alumni towards Louisville because of the belief that Louisville was one of the schools responsible for kicking VT basketball out of the Metro conference. Even this year Louisville has been tied with Virginia Tech because of reports that Louisville tried to take VT's place against Alabama.
This year Louisville would be the best opponent VT has faced besides Alabama and a very compelling matchup. Louisville has only lost 1 game by 3 points this year and is ranked #16 in the AP poll. Teddy Bridgewater is viewed as being the #1 pick in the draft and if Louisville played better pass defense he would likely be the frontrunner for the Heisman. This game would be a great chance to matchup up Teddy Bridgewater against the lunch pail defense which would be the best defense he's faced all year. There would be a lot of NFL fan attention to see how Teddy Bridgewater handles a secondary that features NFL level talent. There's also the storyline of the comparisons between LT and Bridgewater as QBs getting ready for the NFL remembering some of the early projections that predicted Logan Thomas being close to where Bridgewater is now projected by the NFL.
The game will be well attended this year by Virginia Tech fans who didn't make the trip last year because of a less appealing opponent and dissatisfaction with offensive coaching staff. This year has seen a 2 win regular season improvement with the offensive coaching changes that we all have wanted and I know many that would want to see VT play a bowl against an opponent that there are fond memories of playing previously. I just don't see Duke fans traveling to Orlando against a team that the only history they have with is a forgettable blow out regular season loss over a decade ago.
I'd personally love to make the trip to the Russell Athletic Bowl this year after skipping out last year. It's an extremely convenient Saturday after Christmas date with potentially the best opponent that VT fans could hope for. I'll be asking for this trip as my Christmas present if VT makes it.
P.S. If this post is taken as something to politic for Russell Athletic Bowl attention in the selection process it is partly that and everyone should follow the best bowl game twitter account in @RussellAthBowl.
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