NCAAF teams
Matt Fortuna, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

It's win or go home for Virginia, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is playing to extend two major streaks Friday night: its bowl game streak and its dominance over Virginia.

The former is only in play because of the Hokies' letdown at Wake Forest last week. That, coupled with the Cavaliers' upset over Miami, has turned this prime-time affair into a win-or-go-home showdown between the in-state rivals.

"We made it more important for us in that last ballgame," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "We had a chance to get bowl eligible the last time and didn't get it done. So this game has more importance.

"But I really believe overall the pride in the state of Virginia, that's the big prize in this ballgame. And what else you put with it, you can, but I think there's a lot of pride with both universities, the alumni of both universities, the supporters of both universities. So, I think that's the big, big thing right there, just the pride in your state school."

This season, as much as any over the past three years, has proven to be an exercise in frustration for the Hokies. Their Week 2 win at Ohio State seemingly portended a return to the double digit-win seasons that all in Blacksburg had become so accustomed to over the years. That triumph has instead turned noteworthy for the fact that it could end up being the blemish that keeps the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff.

Virginia Tech has lost six of nine games since its victory in Columbus, no defeat more humiliating than Saturday's 6-3, double-overtime loss to the Demon Deacons that was scoreless after regulation.

The Hokies have won just 20 games these past three seasons, after eight straight double digit-win seasons. A loss to the Hoos at Lane Stadium would see their streak of consecutive years going to a bowl game snapped at 21, which is the second-longest active streak in the nation.

Beamer's squad is one loaded with significant freshman and sophomore contributors, making for a bright future. But a rash of injuries across the backfield and offensive line, among other places, has helped make for an uneven campaign.

The significance of a 5-7 season would not be lost on anyone, especially not the 28th-year head coach most responsible for this run of productivity.

"Well, it's important," Beamer said of the streak. "It's been a very consistent program over the years. This has been a year that things haven't gone quite as normal as you'd want them to, but I think when you start throwing in -- I think a third of our starters we projected to start the year aren't there right now. Last count we played 21 freshmen, and when you have those things, then I don't think you've got a settled situation.

"I don't think we've had a year of personnel that's had as many changes and ins and outs as this particular year. I understand it all, but it is still important. It's important to this football team. It's important to this program. It's important to our alumni that we get back to a bowl and keep that streak going."

Beamer's counterpart Friday night will not be coaching for his job, as Virginia athletic director Craig Littlepage announced Wednesday that Mike London would return for a sixth season as the Hoos' head coach.

While London's team has improved its win total by three games from 2013, a win at Virginia Tech to extend its own season would go a long way toward building momentum for next season and validating the program's direction, especially since London has yet to beat his in-state rival.

For one side, Friday night will present the uneasy beginning to an offseason filled with questions.

"It's always important, particularly your last game, the emphasis on when you play your in-state rival, the implications that it has to playing an additional game afterwards, the kids that are on both sides, the community that support the programs -- all those things -- the alumni. All those things you have to take into consideration," London said. "But ultimately, the game is played on the field and in between the white lines, and the preparation and the players' ability to execute, perform, is the thing that matters most from year to year. This is another year of where now you look at the records, you look at other issues, the players knowing each other on both teams. It comes to the last game of the regular season."

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