One-time ACC powers FSU, Va. Tech cling to postseason hope

When Florida State and Virginia Tech face off Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla., both will be close to the brink of losing bowl eligibility.

The Seminoles (4-5, 1-5 in Atlantic Coast Conference) lost for the fifth time in six games Saturday at Clemson. A season that began with remarkable promise, seeing Florida State skyrocket from unranked into the top 10 of the Associated Press poll, will now need two wins in the last three games or it will end without a bowl for the second straight year.

Florida State's offense, which led the nation in yards per game (510.5) and was seventh in scoring offense (40.0 points per game) entering the game, was held to a season-low 360 yards and 10 points at Clemson. Quarterback Tommy Castellanos was sacked six times.

Mike Norvell has lost 16 of his last 22 games at Florida State since a 19-game winning streak from 2022-23, leading to quite a hot seat. That hasn't affected his belief that things will improve in the future.

"I've got an elite level of confidence for what's ahead for this program," Norvell said. "I believe in it. I believe in the guys."

The Hokies (3-6, 2-3 in ACC) are right on the bowl-eligibility edge.

To keep playing beyond the regular season, Virginia Tech needs to win their final three games. A loss means missing a bowl for the third time in six seasons.

"We've got a really unbelievable three-game stretch right here in front of us. We're still writing that story of what it's going to be," interim coach Philip Montgomery said. "For the next three weeks, we get to continue to do that and try to write the ending that we want."

Virginia Tech seemed to get an initial burst from the interim promotion of Montgomery with wins in his first two games. That has worn off. Virginia Tech's Nov. 1 loss to Louisville prior to its bye week was the team's third loss in the last four games.

The Hokies rank last in the ACC in passing offense (176.9 yards per game). Quarterback Kyron Drones has less than 180 yards in each of the last five games, including a season-low 76 against Louisville.

--Field Level Media