Flipping The Script: Why Tech HAS to Beat Rutgers

Where were you on September 3rd, 2017?

Not just physically, but mentally. Emotionally. Financially. Hell, who were you hanging out with in 2017 and how has that changed?

Personally, I just started the second year of a two-year master's program. At that point in time I had never made more than $10/hour — shout out to the radio industry!! — and was in the middle of changing career paths that would eventually take my now-wife and I across the country and back. I was childless, wifeless, and my biggest responsibility was figuring out which bars had PBR on happy hour (when you've got $45 in your checking, you've got to make it count).

It was also two presidents and one global pandemic ago. Patrick Mahomes hadn't started his first game, LeBron James was still in Cleveland, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry were teaming up in Golden State, Justin Fuente was entering a promising second season with the Hokies and Josh Fuga was entering his junior year in the program. (Just kidding, but goddamn he's been here a long time.)

Needless to say, September 3rd, 2017 was a long time ago. It was also the date of Virginia Tech's last non-conference win over a power five team.

Yup, this one:

(Any team that gives up a 50-yard run to Josh Jackson deserves to lose, btw.)

Since then, Tech is 0-11 against other power conference foes: