Virginia Tech's 2026 Outlook: Will the Hokies Rise to the Top 10?
The Virginia Tech Hokies had a wild offseason, hiring Penn State's James Franklin as their new head coach and bringing back Brent Pry as defensive coordinator.
This major coaching change has significantly improved the Hokies' roster for 2026 and beyond. Franklin went to work on the roster over the next couple of months, making notable adjustments to prepare the team for the upcoming season.
The Hokies were ranked in tier 6 by ESPN's Bill Connelly, who classified them as "Probably fine. Maybe good. Possibly mediocre." This tier includes Clemson, Illinois, Missouri, and TCU, all of which rank between No. 20 and No. 35 in Connelly's preseason SP+.
Virginia Tech's biggest challenge is fixing its defense, which allowed 2.8 points per drive on drives starting on its side of the field against FBS opponents last year. This was the worst rate in the ACC and 128th nationally.
The Hokies have a chance to get off to a fast start, but they must avoid losing to Maryland in September. A win against the Terps would not only give the Hokies a 3-0 record but also potentially deal a knockout blow to Maryland coach Mike Locksley's tenure.
Starting the season in the 20-35 range is a significant improvement for the Hokies, who will have to play well to stay in that range or move up. Their new coaching staff and improved roster give them a solid foundation to build on.
The Hokies' 2026 season will be closely watched, especially given their new coaching staff and improved roster. If they can stay in the 20-35 range or move up, it would be a significant achievement for the program.
Source: Yahoo Sports