Virginia Tech football’s FPI surprisingly rises after loss at Miami

Virginia Tech football’s FPI surprisingly rises after loss at Miami

After sputtering through the first four weeks, the Virginia Tech football team turned in its best overall performance last Friday night in Miami. They led for most of the game and most of the second half until the Hurricanes scored on the first play of the game after the two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter for a 38-34 win.

By now you know the chaos that reigned on the Hokies’ final play, when they had a game-winning touchdown that was called an on-field touchdown and was overturned by video review. For Virginia Tech, it was a tough loss to overcome. Was it the right decision on the field? Maybe, maybe not, but there wasn’t enough indisputable video evidence to disprove the call.

Regardless, the four-point loss dropped Virginia Tech to 2-3, but their Football Power Index (FPI) on ESPN increased following the loss.

After the loss to the Hurricanes, Virginia Tech’s FPI rose seven spots to No. 42 on ESPN. A lot of that had to do with Miami at No. 10. Imagine if the Hokies had won, where would they have moved up?

Virginia Tech has seven ACC games remaining on its schedule and will only play one team that is currently ahead of them in this week’s FPI. Clemson, which visits Blacksburg on Nov. 9, comes in at No. 13. I know a lot of people don’t interpret ESPN’s FPI too much, but it’s a little surprising that it’s up seven spots after Friday.

By the way, ESPN’s tip assumes the Hokies have the advantage in most of their remaining games, with the only major underdog playing at home against Clemson. As we’ve learned this season, any of these games could turn out any way for this team.