The Tom O'Brien era at Boston College was starting to hit a stride when Virginia Tech rumbled into Chestnut Hill early in the 2000 season. Wins over both Army and Navy handed the Eagles a 2-1 overall record after an opening week loss to West Virginia, and the 103 points scored over the service academies had an offense led by Tim Hasselbeck humming towards the game against the defending conference champions and national runners-up.
Beating Virginia Tech in those days required a Herculean effort, but the 1999 game offered BC assurances and confidence against a team bound for the national championship game.