The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Commonwealth Cup

Virginia Tech62-34-5Virginia
National Program I#42 of 138–National Program III#65 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
Next meeting: Sat Nov 28 · time TBA, 24 days away.

1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 62-34-5. They've met 101 times since 1902. Virginia Tech once took 15 straight.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

Virginia Tech
Win total
7.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
+7
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +21
What fans are saying · player performance
One fan believes Hawkins is a top scorer on the team
Hawkins was actually incredible last season, which is why we were so good at after contact stats. Hawkins and Overton is a genuinely great 1-2 punch.
Verified verbatim
Virginia
Win total
6.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
+4
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +37
What fans are saying · coaching decision
One fan believes the team should run the ball more often
Hate the playcalling. We’re getting 5 yards a carry easy. Just run the ball
Verified verbatim

Stature & the series, 1902–2025

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeVirginia TechVirginiaevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Virginia Tech won, gray: Virginia won)192019401960198020002020

The identity war

Virginia has been the more pass-heavy program more often than not.

Across 23 seasons of real play-level data (2004–2026), Virginia Tech led 3 and Virginia led 20.

more passmore runVirginia TechVirginia2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262008Virginia 25.3 ptsVirginia Tech won 17-142021Virginia 24.7 ptsVirginia Tech won 29-242017Virginia 15.8 ptsVirginia Tech won 10-0
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

The biggest win was Virginia Tech by 48 in 1983. The biggest crowd, 66,233, was in 2006.

The coaching duels

Frank Beamer vs George Welsh6-8
Frank Beamer vs Al Groh8-1
Frank Beamer vs Mike London6-0
Bill Dooley vs George Welsh4-1
Justin Fuente vs Bronco Mendenhall4-1
Henry Redd vs Frank Murray3-1

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
122-102
Virginia Tech leads
1st-rounders
13-14
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
Virginia TechVirginia
1960s2-5
1970s4-4
1980s6-13
1990s19-28
2000s47-32
2010s29-14
2020s15-6

Best picks, either side

1985Bruce Smith Defensive End · Buffalo BillsRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
2001Michael Vick Quarterback · Atlanta FalconsRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
2008Chris Long Defensive End · St. Louis RamsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
2006D'Brickashaw Ferguson Offensive Tackle · New York JetsRd 1, pick 4#4 overall
1986Jim Dombrowski Offensive Tackle · New Orleans SaintsRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
2000Thomas Jones Running Back · Arizona CardinalsRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
2004DeAngelo Hall Defensive Back · Atlanta FalconsRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
1997James Farrior Linebacker · New York JetsRd 1, pick 8#8 overall

Recent meetings

Gate premium

Virginia1.34×its own average home crowd
2025Virginia27-7
2024Virginia Tech37-17
2023Virginia Tech55-17
2021Virginia Tech29-24
2020Virginia Tech33-15
2019Virginia39-30
2018Virginia Tech34-31
2017Virginia Tech10-0
2016Virginia Tech52-10
2015Virginia Tech23-20Virginia — decided by 3
2014Virginia Tech24-20
2013Virginia Tech16-6
2012Virginia Tech17-14Virginia — decided by 3
2011Virginia Tech38-0Virginia — both ranked

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Virginia Tech’s chance to win through that meeting. Virginia Tech is 2-1 in the meetings since 2018 that were still close in the fourth quarter.

2025Virginia 27-7Virginia Tech lost 7-27 at Virginia. Chance to win started at 19%, low under 1%, high 24%.Steady
2024Virginia Tech 37-17Virginia Tech won 37-17 vs Virginia. Chance to win started at 60%, low 60%, high better than 99%.
2023Virginia Tech 55-17Virginia Tech won 55-17 at Virginia. Chance to win started at 62%, low 60%, high better than 99%.Steady
2021Virginia Tech 29-24Virginia Tech won 29-24 at Virginia. Chance to win started at 38%, low 13%, high 89%.
2020Virginia Tech 33-15Virginia Tech won 33-15 vs Virginia. Chance to win started at 60%, low 41%, high better than 99%.
2019Virginia 39-30Virginia Tech lost 30-39 at Virginia. Chance to win started at 57%, low under 1%, high 86%.
2018Virginia Tech 34-31Virginia Tech won 34-31 vs Virginia. Chance to win started at 41%, low 6%, high better than 99%.
Read a quote from each meeting
  • 2025
    “Thank god this the end of the Drones era”
    A Virginia Tech fan

Meetings with their own story page

10 meetings in our archive, 2015 to 2025.