Virginia Tech Mailbag: Can a non-blue blood program still win a national title in the Playoff format?

By Andy Bitter Aug 3, 2018 20
BLACKSBURG, Va. —​​ Virginia Tech continued to round out its 2019 recruiting class Thursday night, getting a commitment from three-star defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus out of Deerfield Beach, Florida. At 6 feet 3, 270 pounds, he projects as a tackle for the Hokies, the third in the 15-member group, hitting a major position of need.

But enough about recruiting. Preseason practice is upon us, with the Hokies reporting Saturday and hitting the field for the first time Sunday. So let’s get to some mailbag questions.

There was an interesting conversation in Stewart Mandel’s Mailbag last week around whether non-blue blood programs can ever win the title. One could argue Clemson was not a blue blood and seemingly rose from mediocrity to the top, but largely all title winners since the BCS era have been those major programs. Given the expansion of the Playoff, is it realistic to think a Hokies team can make the Playoff, then win 2-3 games...