State has an urban campus and an off-campus football stadium. Carter-Finley is a decent atmosphere but only seats 57,000. VT has also had a ton more recent success than State, which makes VT much more relevant nationally. VT has also invested more in being a big time football program and it is part of the VT culture more than it is at State.

I think you are right that VT is not head and shoulders above State, UVA, UNC, GT, etc. Fuente needs to be the right hire or we are in danger of continuing to be muddled with the middle of the conference.