I used to laugh when UVa fans would suggest that VT didn't play in a "real conference." The Big East was full of tough-nosed teams, including VT. It became instantly evident that the former Big East teams were physically superior to the ACC at large, other than FSU, in the early days after expansion. VT, Miami, and BC were near the top of the conference for the first 4-5 years. Remember when VT went into Death Valley and absolutely destroyed Clemson in primetime? Since then, it seems VT became slowly "wussified" like the rest of the conference, and Clemson has become the more physical (and much more talented) team.