The Downfall of the Hokies
2001-2005

2001
The Hokies ended a disappointing season with a 27-24 loss to South Carolina in the Music City Bowl. The Hokies finished at 7-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big East Conference. HB Lee Suggs had an outstanding season with 1,538 yards and 13 TD's. The Hokies dropped conference games to West Virginia, Syracuse, Pitt, and Miami. Virginia Tech struggles in recruiting following the poor season with a recruiting class ranking at #46.

2002
The Hokies have a very successful season with a 31-27 win over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. The Hokies finish at 11-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big East Conference. Virginia Tech loses to Miami again in the conference and is upset by Temple. Despite a strong showing in the polls with a #4 final ranking in the coaches' poll and #6 in the media poll, the Hokies class only rankings #26 as large senior class leaves program.

2003
In the face of allegations of recruiting violations and academic fraud, the Hokies have another strong season. The Hokies defeat Georgia Tech again in the Gator Bowl by a score of 31-28. The Hokies finish 11-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big East Conference. The Hokies lose tough games at National Champion UCLA and at home against Big East Champ Miami. The Hokies rank #5 in the coaches' poll and #6 in the media poll. Several Tech players transfer to other schools as the allegations mount following season while several players froma #19 recruiting class decide to sit out a season instead of attend Virginia Tech.

2004
The Hokies are barely bowl eligible, but manage to defeat Southern Cal in the San Francisco Bowl 28-24. The Hokies finish the season 8-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big East Conference. The Hokies lose to Nevada, Temple, and Pitt as well as another loss to Miami and their first loss to Virginia. The NCAA begins an official investigation of the program and many top recruits from class ranked #25 are ruled ineligible or decide not to attend the school thus never wearing a Hokie uniform.

2005
Suffering from severe lack of talent in the program due to NCAA investigations and academically ineligible players Tech suffers through it worse season in over a decade. The Hokies drop to 3-9 overall and 2-5 in the Big East Conference. The teams drops gains to Indiana, Texas Tech, Iowa, Temple, Syracuse, West Virginia, Miami, Virginia, and Boston College. With the NCAA preparing to release the results of its investigation, Virginia Tech fires its entire football coaching staff in hopes of receiving a lesser penalty. The Hokies are ranked as the #99 program out of 117 Division I schools by Sports Illustrated following the season.