Digesting a Heartbreaker

For a game that had no ramifications besides another tick toward bowl eligibility, the outcome hurt like hell. It was definitely a gut check, and the wind is still knocked out of me. The Hokies proved they belonged on the field with Notre Dame, a substantial Vegas and advanced stats favorite, but at the same time demonstrated there's still plenty of work to do. It was both a moral victory and devastating loss. It was an inspired effort and a missed opportunity for a morsel of national respect. The duality and juxtaposition of sports is a bitch.