Hokies fall out of SP+ Top 25 after loss to Syracuse

The Hokies fell out of ESPN’s SP+ top twenty-five schools after an away loss to Syracuse. Collin Schlee and Jeremiah Coney came through in the absence of Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten, but Virginia Tech couldn’t capitalize when it meant the most.

Last week, SP+ ranked Virginia Tech as the 24th overall team in the country, ahead of schools like Auburn, BYU and Vanderbilt.

After losing to the Hokies in their ninth game, Virginia Tech was ranked as the 27th overall team, behind Florida, Oklahoma and Auburn.

The Hokies simply let another game slip through their fingers. After an Ali Jennings score, Tech led 21-3 midway through the third quarter as ESPN’s Analytics gave the Hokies a 95.9% chance to win. From that point on, the Hokies fell apart. Syracuse’s next drive consisted of four plays, seventy-five yards and a touchdown. Virginia Tech would then go to three-and-out, allowing another Syracuse touchdown, turning the ball over on a fumble and then allowing another Syracuse touchdown.

Trailing 24-21 at the time, Virginia Tech put the ball downfield for perhaps the best drive of the day for the Hokies, taking a four-point lead with eleven minutes left.

Syracuse then went three-and-out, and the Hokies had a chance to put the game away late in the fourth quarter. Facing first-and-10 at Syracuse’s twelve-yard line, the Hokies were completely outgunned, driven back and forced to kick a field goal.

Needing one defensive position to win the game, the Hokies were undisciplined on defense and allowed Syracuse to tie the game with just seconds left on the clock.

The same story would continue in overtime: Syracuse dominates offensively and Virginia Tech turns the ball over, the game over.

Additional links:

Virginia Tech Football: Kickoff time set for Hokies matchup with Clemson next week

The Briefing: Drones and Tuten injured, backups star, Hokies drop 38-31 overtime thriller

Virginia Tech Football: 5 big lessons from Virginia Tech’s loss to Syracuse