Go Tech Go, Part 56: Hokies Face Adversity at Pitt and West Virginia

 

The Hokies put their unbeaten record on the line at West Virginia in 1999. (Virginia Tech sports photography)
The Hokies put their unbeaten record on the line at West Virginia in 1999. (Virginia Tech sports photography)

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Despite the Hokies statement-making 62-0 shellacking of Syracuse in front of a national ESPN Saturday night audience, not everybody was impressed. On the radio, analyst Beano Cook said, “Virginia Tech has no chance of making the National Championship Game. None. Because of their schedule.”

In the newspapers, much was written about the computer rankings and the selection process and how all of that might conspire to leave Virginia Tech out of the title game. But there was no doubt the Hokies passed the eyeball test. ESPN’s Chris Fowler wrote online of their win over the Orangemen, “If you thought it was impressive on TV, I promise you it was more devastating live from field level. Rabid, bloodthirsty intensity for 60 minutes. The Hokies’ subs never let up. Syracuse was so overwhelmed that the Orange wanted to get on the bus for Roanoke in the second quarter and I couldn’t blame them for quitting.

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