Based on results last year, recruiting, and game location, I think it is ok to expect us to lose to ND and Miami (would love to win those games, but won't be mad if we take a competitive L). On the flip side, Furman, RI, and ODU should be absolute Ws.

That leaves BC, Pitt, GT, Duke, UNC, UVA, WFU. And I agree that going 4-3 in those games would feel like a letdown. But when I look closer, I feel like going 4-3 in those games could be a step in the right direction if we are competitive in the losses.

Looking at the 7 non-Miami ACC games, here's what I imagine our Vegas/ESPN BPI'esque % chances of winning each game are:
@BC - 55%
Duke - 65%
UNC - 65%
WFU - 75%
@GT - 65%
Pitt - 55%
@UVA - 45%

So if you look at that in two tiers, you have the (1) games we should win (Duke, UNC, WFU, GT) and (2) the toss-up games (BC, Pitt, UVA). The tough part is expecting VT to go 4-0 in games where the expectation of winning is in the 65%-75% range. I look at that 7-game slate as one where 4-3 will only have me wanting heads to roll if we are not competitive in the losses.

Of course, all of this could be upended. Mack Brown might get UNC to coalesce early and the spread in that game is in the -2.5 range. Likewise, Pitt could take a major step back and we go into that game expecting a win. Either way, looks like consensus on the board is an 8-win season is the minimum bar for "success"