Copeland’s Cal Carnage: Career Night Ignites Hokies
Defensive lineman Kemari Copeland exploded in Week 9 against Cal, setting career highs with four solo tackles and three sacks after returning from a torn tricep that cost him all of last season. The junior college transfer, who redshirted in 2024 following his injury, had entered the contest with only one sack on the year. Copeland made an immediate impact by sacking Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on the game’s opening play, then added another pivotal sack late in the third quarter to help spark a 10-point comeback. His performance marked the first time a Virginia Tech defensive tackle recorded three sacks since 1995. Copeland credited his faith, practice reps, and new defensive stunts drawn up by coach J.C. Price for the breakout, and teammates like QB Kyron Drones praised his relentless effort.
In a stunning display of divine intervention and raw muscle, Copeland reminded everyone that the real MVP of Hokies football is apparently the guy who punches quarterbacks in the face. After a season sidelined by a torn tricep, he returned looking like a cross between a wrecking ball and a motivational meme. One can only assume his offseason involved either welding dumbbells to his arms or intense prayer circles led by J.C. Price chanting “sack, sack, sack.” If Virginia Tech keeps winning, maybe ESPN will even consider launching a separate Copeland Power Index—complete with win probabilities derived from his tattoo count.
ESPN’s FPI Crystal Ball: Can VT Upset the Odds?
After Week 9’s upset of Cal, ESPN’s Football Power Index now ranks Virginia Tech 69th overall with a projected 3.8–8.2 record and a slim 2.4% chance to reach six wins. The Hokies face Louisville (25.7% chance), Florida State (19.3%), Miami (10.9%), and Virginia (22.8%) in their final four games, keeping their ACC hopes alive but playoff aspirations nil. Their remaining schedule is rated third toughest in the conference. Despite incremental shifts in win probabilities—down 3.9% vs. Louisville and slight bumps elsewhere—FPI still forecasts a sub-.500 finish and zero chance at the ACC title or College Football Playoff.
Behold the majesty of the FPI, where infinite decimal points provide the confidence needed to belittle a team that just upset a ranked opponent. According to this omniscient algorithm, Virginia Tech will win exactly 3.8 games—because rounding is for mere mortals. Imaginary percentages won’t stop Hokies fans from clutching their lanyards in dread, nor will they stop ESPN from making weekly graphics that look like a particularly gloomy weather forecast. At least the FPI gives Cal a chance of being trampled into statistical oblivion—as long as Copeland doesn’t single-handedly rewrite the numbers again.
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