An ACC Bowl Selection Primer: Several Destinations Still In Play For Hokies

Andy Bitter

Senior Staff Writer

November 28, 2023 44

The Hokies look excited to be going back to a bowl game. (Ivan Morozov)

At 6-6, the Hokies are going back to a bowl game — and it’s been a while since fans really got to enjoy one.

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44 Comments

middletennhokie November 29, 2023 at 9:10 AM

Worst match up would be trashy Kentucky at the Mayo bowl. If we accept that Whit had better plan on calling out the National Guard to protect players, band, and fans. Stoops strategy to intimidate opponents on full display in 2019 matchup and this year at Louisville.
reconhokie November 28, 2023 at 8:51 PM

Have read that Hollywood and Ron Howard have already chipped in to rename the Pop Tart bowl for next year, to showcase the return of his hit comedy series. It will be called the “Arrested Development - A Nu Start” Bowl.
VAHokie89 November 28, 2023 at 3:10 PM

Knowing a lot of things have to fall into place, a Military Bowl committee representative told me that it is 50-50 chance of getting VT
HokienGeorjaw November 28, 2023 at 2:37 PM

Seeing ND in the ACC selection mix just makes me ……. Love Charlotte, but a good competitive match up is my preference. Go Hokies
HokieCrazy1994 November 28, 2023 at 12:54 PM

I don't go to bowls very often, so my opinion on location and opponent might differ from most fans on here, but I'd really MUCH rather play somebody that we can beat! USC, Oregon State, even Kentucky just feel like bad matchups for us.
1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 12:56 PM
  
  Might depend on who opts out. Is USC that scary without Caleb Williams?
  1. HokieCrazy1994 November 28, 2023 at 2:58 PM
    
    Valid point
2. Spartacusjones November 28, 2023 at 3:50 PM
  
  Can anyone explain what tangible benefits the ACC gets from NDs partial football affiliation? They have their own TV deal, which I assume does not do anything for the ACC, and yet they get to occupy an ACC slot when bowl selection time comes around. What's in it for the ACC?
  1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 4:43 PM
    
    Sold out stadiums every time ND comes to town? A handful of marquee TV games every year? The initial momentum to even launch a league network?
    1. Hokie67 November 29, 2023 at 7:18 AM
      
      Andy - what's with the facts, already?
gemrooty November 28, 2023 at 12:49 PM

Is there a huge difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 payout?
1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 12:55 PM
  
  It’s all pooled and distributed evenly by the ACC. There’s slightly more for certain games up front, covering travel costs, etc., but teams usually spend all of that (and often more when they bring the band/administrators) prior to getting the money the ACC pays out to everyone.
I-W-K-Y-I-T-N November 28, 2023 at 12:40 PM

Cheering for Annapolis!
1. middletennhokie November 29, 2023 at 9:02 AM
  
  100% agree
Hanover Hokie November 28, 2023 at 12:29 PM

I want tampa
vtox1 November 28, 2023 at 12:26 PM

Not sure your tiers are correct for 2023 I have wiki, sporting news have most 9 bowls all lumped in as tier 1: Pop Tart, Gator, Holiday, Mayo, sun, Pinstripe, Reliaquest, fenway, military. Not sure anymore knows anything as to tiers or which bowls get more say in pick order all hidden behind: acc, bowls espn will select based on geo and match ups: smoke filled room! We know ncst not in Gator, unc not in holiday, Clemson not in Pop Tart, Duke not in Military, VT not in Pinstripe based on repeat '22, '21. Other than that who knows!
1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 12:30 PM
  
  Well, I checked with the ACC and other sources before writing this, so yes, it’s right.
  1. vtox1 November 28, 2023 at 12:59 PM
    
    Great should have known real journalist! Any source with insight on which of the tier 1 gets first pick in past I thought it rotated, etc. If ACC gets Reliaquest ND seems lock there. Pop Tarts lock for NCSU unless there is desire on both sides for state to get Holiday bowl trip that was canceled. Buzz seems that Carolina is coveted by Gator have not been since '98 surprising. Clemson might have different ideas. Not sure Clemson or fans want Oregon St. In Holiday bowl! Does Clemson shove unc out of gator? Or take Mayo or Sun vice playing Oregon St.? Looks like to me VT's destination may well be driven by Clemson's preferences. Seems to me VT is # in pecking order here behind: FSU, UL, NCSU, Clemson, UNC. Maybe Miami gets nod overVT if TV is only consideration Sun or Holiday
    1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 1:06 PM
      
      My former shop, with info from sources, seems pretty confident in Clemson to Holiday.
      1. OC_Hokie_JC November 29, 2023 at 12:15 PM
        
        I would go see that!
elfmanvt07 November 28, 2023 at 12:23 PM

Andy, if Tech goes to the Sun Bowl, I'm going to need Mexican food recs.
1. Andy Bitter November 28, 2023 at 12:31 PM
  
  Literally anywhere. Some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had everywhere we went.
2. El Paso Hokie November 28, 2023 at 12:51 PM
  
  I can help you with that.
3. MAHokie69 November 28, 2023 at 3:24 PM
  
  L&J Cafe ("The Old Place by the Graveyard")
4. roberb7 November 28, 2023 at 9:37 PM
  
  Not Mexican, but if you're a Marty Robbins fan, Rosa's Cantina is a don't miss.
  1. El Paso Hokie November 28, 2023 at 10:28 PM
    
    A former co-worker of mine owns the place. They have live entertainment most nights. It's a bit off the beaten path, but it's certainly worth a visit.
5. panhandlehokie November 29, 2023 at 10:58 PM
  
  La Posta in Old Mesilla. On the other side of the mountain from the Sun Bowl near Las Cruces.
gaholder81 November 28, 2023 at 11:52 AM

I'm probably the only person on this site who wants El Paso but I've never been there so I'd love to go.
1. Hokie-2x November 28, 2023 at 12:21 PM
  
  I posted two days ago, that I had seen an early projection of Tech and Southern Cal in the Sun Bowl.
  1. gaholder81 November 28, 2023 at 12:54 PM
    
    I saw that too. I think our offense could keep up with theirs minus Caleb Williams. Plus their defense is horrible.
2. dobrohokie November 28, 2023 at 12:34 PM
  
  El Paso is a great city with an iconic stadium.
3. 99HOKE November 28, 2023 at 6:38 PM
  
  we went to the last Sun Bowl vrs Cal (i believe). The best response from the community of all of the bowls we have went to. The people were Super friendly. Giving us suggestions on where to eat,attractions etc. It was tough to get to, no direct flights and we got in late, rental car company had closed up...luckily there were others still open.
4. DesertHokie November 28, 2023 at 8:44 PM
  
  Me, too! Also I live in Phoenix so it’s a close-ish flight
  1. El Paso Hokie November 28, 2023 at 10:30 PM
    
    And only a six-hour drive. I've done it many times.
TomTurkey November 28, 2023 at 11:50 AM

Thanks for the bowl menu and summary of the options. Too bad Skipper doesn't travel.
VBHokieman November 28, 2023 at 11:40 AM

Hate that we are eligible for bowls like the Military (meaning we have a 6-6 record and it's a tier 2 bowl) instead of some of the bigger ones but for selfish reasons I love it. Live just outside Annapolis and it's a great fun venue for a game and so convenient.
1. Atlee Hokie November 28, 2023 at 3:08 PM
  
  I'm happy we are eligible for any bowl this year. Next year, higher Tier 1 should be the goal.
Hokie Witch November 28, 2023 at 11:27 AM

I have missed this kind of speculation. Whats next...rankings?!
amc93 November 28, 2023 at 11:26 AM

Should just name the Military Bowl after us at this point.
1. OakHillHokie November 28, 2023 at 12:20 PM
  
  Corps of Cadets Bowl.
  1. squarerootof1 November 28, 2023 at 12:31 PM
    
    +1
  2. Atlee Hokie November 28, 2023 at 3:09 PM
    
    Works for me. :-)
  3. VT GUY November 28, 2023 at 4:11 PM
    
    Highty Tighty Bowl
    1. 133998Hokie November 29, 2023 at 7:58 AM
      
      I like that name for the bowl too

An ACC Bowl Selection Primer: Several Destinations Still In Play For Hokies

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