There’s a ton at stake this week when the Virginia Cavaliers football team travels to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech: bragging rights, an 8-win season, catharsis for Virginia fans, validation for the Bronco Mendenhall rebuild, juice on the instate recruiting trail, a chance to kick Tech while it’s down, a possible meltdown of the Hokie fanbase, and more.
But beating the Hokies would also give Virginia its best chance to reach an attractive bowl game. The Hoos are right in the thick of the ACC’s bowl teams and only have one last opportunity to make an impression to bowl committees.