Virginia Tech is focusing on what it can do, not what it can’t.
The No. 16 Hokies can’t win a third consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference championship. They won’t get another national title shot.
What they can do is have a sixth consecutive 10-win season.
That means not looking past defense-challenged North Carolina State when the Wolfpack arrives at Lane Stadium Saturday for the final home game for Virginia Tech’s seniors.
“That’s a tradition we have around here,” wide receiver Jarrett Boykin said of the 10-win plateau. “We’re going to do everything we can to get to 10 wins. We want to feel good about ourselves at the end.”
eason in a row. Only Southern California and Texas have also done it the past five years, and USC (7-3) also needs to win its last two and a bowl game to get to 10 this year.
The visit from the struggling Wolfpack (4-6, 1-5) also falls on the day that 21 seniors will play their final game at home.
“We’ve had a good run,” coach Frank Beamer said of the class that has played in two Bowl Championship Series games and won the last two ACC championships before falling short this season.
“I like our leadership. I like what they’ve been all about. I think that’s come through in these last two weeks, the way we’ve played after some real disappointment,” he said.
The team has adjusted to its lowered expectations, and is rallying.
“We’re not content, but we’re feeling good,” Boykin said. “We’re going to keep practicing hard so we can finish this season off right, and feel good about ourselves at the end.”
The Wolfpack is trying to do the same thing, but even a strong finish won’t land them a bowl appearance. Two of their victories – against Murray State and Gardner-Webb – came against lower division schools, so they needed seven victories to reach the postseason.
The goal now?
winning our last two games. That would be real big for our program.”
Defensive end Willie Young said they owe it to each other to keep playing hard.
“As long as we’re breathing, we’ve got something to play for,” he said.
N.C. State could help its chances if its defense shows up. The Wolfpack’s last seven opponents have all scored at least 30 points, and four of the last five have had at least 43.
Still, Beamer cautions that it’s a “scary team” heading into Blacksburg, one led by sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson, a Richmond native that the Hokies looked at hard.
They eventually opted to go harder after similarly skilled Tyrod Taylor.
“Wilson is outstanding with 26 touchdown passes and a 58 percent completion percentage, 2,500 yards and averaging 253 yards passing per game,” Beamer said of the quarterback who last season became the first freshman QB ever named to the All-ACC first team.
Wilson leads the ACC in touchdown passes, but has also thrown 10 interceptions. He’s third in the league in passing efficiency, which leaves him two spots behind Taylor.
And Taylor has more help because Ryan Williams leads the league in rushing with an average of 123.5 yards, has scored 12 touchdowns and is a dangerous receiver as well.
he season by a knee injury.
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