"The hokies have one of the biggest followings in sports not just football either."

That's just silly. Notre Dame football or a UNC bball team probably have a much larger following in just those single sports then VT does as a whole, VT is not close to having a remotely close following as other schools do and I doubt very seriously they'll ever come close to it. VA has no professional basketball team, football team, baseball team or hockey team that plays from within its borders(of course the Skins and Caps have practice facilities here)...that's why VT has the large base it does IMO, we just don't have anyone else to root for besides UVA or VT. We're by far the most populous state without any professional team, which is sad. VT's base seems so faithful because the fans just don't have anyone else to cling to, sure isn't because they're so successful or that intriguing.