Bracketology 2021: 10 biggest winners from opening month of season

7. Virginia Tech

After leading Wofford to their best season in program history in 2019, Mike Young took over a Virginia Tech team that was riding a similar high. However, the Hokies team that made the Sweet Sixteen that year was unrecognizable a year later, leaving Young’s work cut out for him. Last season, the Hokies finished near the very bottom of the ACC, but are looking to make a different statement in year two.

Less than a week into the season, the Hokies were already greatly exceeding expectations with their overtime win over #3 Villanova. That sparkplug launched the Hokies into the top 25, though a horrible performance against Penn State a few weeks later brought them back down to earth. They’d redeem themselves with a tough win over a ranked Clemson team, and will bring their 7-1 record and #24 ranking as ACC play really gets going.

Keve Aluma has been really great, while Nahiem Alleyne and Tyrece Radford have stood out as well. There’s a lot of talent and potential on this team, especially if they play like they did against Villanova. What they’ll need to avoid is performances like that Penn State game. The important thing is that Virginia Tech is now on the national radar after being an afterthought before that win over the Wildcats.

The ACC is a jumbled mess this season, with the top teams all struggling in the early going; Virginia Tech can take advantage, they’ve already shown us that they can.