Virginia Becomes Serious ACC Title Contender After Upset Over No. 8 Florida State

The Virginia Cavaliers stunned the college football world with a thrilling double-overtime 46-38 upset over No. 8 Florida State, marking a potential turning point for the program as a serious ACC title contender. Virginia's offense, led by quarterback Chandler Morris, and a rising defense that applied key pressures, were instrumental in overcoming a highly ranked opponent despite previous doubts. Head coach Tony Elliott emphasized the team's belief and resilience as key factors in the victory, although he acknowledged the need for consistent defensive pressure and overall team improvement to sustain success. The Cavaliers' ACC standing is bolstered by a unique scheduling situation where their loss to North Carolina State counts as a non-conference game, leaving them unbeaten in ACC play with a path to the championship if they win out and receive some favorable results. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech faces challenges as they prepare for their ACC opener against NC State amid coaching changes, injuries, and player transfers, highlighting the competitive and unpredictable nature of the conference this season. Key to future success for teams like Virginia Tech will be effective running games, limiting turnovers, and defensive stops against top opponents, all of which are critical in the tightly contested ACC landscape.