After starting 2-0 for the first time since 2021, Virginia Tech heads on the road for its toughest test of the season against Maryland. The Hokies are looking for their first non-conference victory over a Power 4 opponent since they beat West Virginia in nearby Landover, MD to open the 2017 season.
This game goes beyond that for Hokies head coach James Franklin who was a long-time assistant at Maryland and seemingly the coach-in-waiting, but the Terps decided to go with Randy Edsall while Franklin took the head coaching job at Vanderbilt. Since then, Franklin has been quite dominant when facing Maryland with other programs, but this will be a tougher test given the circumstances of the current rebuild he is leading at VT.
Franklin and Maryland’s Mike Locksley also have some history of tension in the past including a brief argument after Penn State’s rout of Maryland in 2024. Both have downplayed the past and shared their respect for each other this week in public remarks.
So can the Hokies end their non-conference P4 losing streak and start 3-0? Let’s dive into our preview and predictions.
Keys to the Game: You can check out Josh Poslusny’s keys to the game and preview here. Virginia Tech showed a vulnerability on the offensive line last week as they had some issues getting consistent lanes for Jeff Overton Jr and Marcellous Hawkins, while Ethan Grunkemeyer was pressured a good amount. Against a solid Maryland defensive line led by standout sophomore Sidney Stewart who had 10.5 TFLs including seven sacks last season and five-star freshman Zion Elee, the offensive line will have to step up its game.
Hokies to Watch: You can check out Adam Firebaugh’s Hokies to Watch feature here. When you talk the talk, you better walk the walk. That’s the case for CB Jaquez White who downplayed the abilities of Maryland starting QB Malik Washington this week, words that I am certain found their way to the Maryland locker room. White will primarily face a familiar foe in WR Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding after both players made the Power 4 jump from the Sun Belt ranks via Troy and Old Dominion respectively. By the end of this game, White will either look very confident or very cocky depending on the result.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: How much will VT play DQ Smith this week? James Franklin has been pleased with how quickly the very late arriving South Carolina S transfer has picked up the playbook and blended into the locker room. He also played 11 defensive snaps and had a tackle last week in another sign that he could see his role ramp up quickly. You can check out more on Smith in Josh Poslusny’s story here.
Injury Update: Starting C Kyle Altuner is on track to return this week for Virginia Tech after he was held out of the ODU game as a precautionary measure. Check out more on Altuner and other storylines in Josh Poslusny’s notebook from Wednesday’s VT media availability here.
Press Conference Notebook: Check out Josh Poslusny’s Monday James Franklin and Virginia Tech press conference notebook here. This includes Franklin’s reflections on his time at Maryland, Montavious Cunningham avoiding a suspension for his ejection last week, and more.
Tim Thomas
This definitely has the feel of a toss-up going into tonight’s clash. Both teams have played very similar schedules to ramp up to this game (with ODU and UCONN being next door neighbors last week in SP+) and both teams have looked dominant against weaker competition. The similarities don’t stop there as both teams look strong in the passing game and on the defensive line while the rushing attack for both teams leaves questions (albeit different ones for each team).
For the Hokies, it isn’t about the RB talent as Marcellous Hawkins and Jeff Overton Jr are a strong RB duo. The Hokies’ offensive line has to be better this week against a very good Maryland front headlined by standout sophomore Sidney Stewart and five-star freshman Zion Elee. Having starting C Kyle Altuner back to lead the group certainly helps, but the Hokies’ offensive line play overall needs to be improved.
On the Maryland side, their running back room is part of the question with a group that is largely injury-plagued, forcing a young Iverson Howard into action. The Terps also allowed six tackles for loss last week against UCONN and with a VT defensive line that looks strong across the board, that could be a major problem for the Terps.
Ethan Grunkemeyer and Malik Washington have looked the part of big-time playmakers so far with both throwing for over 300 yards and completion rates over 70% last week. This will be the toughest test for both of them so far but it wouldn’t be surprising if both put in an aerial show and make this a higher-scoring game regardless of the help their rushing attacks provide. I will say that I do like VT’s group of receiving options over Maryland given the matchup nightmare of Luke Reynolds along with the fact that VT has more proven Power 4 receivers leading the way with Reynolds at TE plus Duke transfer Que’Sean Brown and veteran Ayden Greene having lots of past P4 success.
In a game that feels like a toss-up, I lean towards the edge that VT has at head coach with James Franklin. For all the talk about Franklin’s big game issues (4-21 vs top 10 teams and 15-30 vs top 25 teams at PSU), part of what made him such a strong winner there was the fact that Penn State didn’t lose games they weren’t supposed to until the very end. His record against unranked opponents during his Penn State tenure: 89-15 (.856 winning percentage).
You could convince me either way with this matchup, but I think Virginia Tech finds a way to get the job done and start 3-0 for the first time since 2017.
Pick: Virginia Tech 30, Maryland 27
Adam Firebaugh
This game feels much more important than I thought it would before the season began, when I originally saw it as a decent chance for James Franklin and Co. to show what they're made of without any real stakes. But over the last week, this game has taken on a significance I couldn't have predicted, with both teams leaning into the border battle narrative and historical enmity that exists between the fanbases
The similarities between these teams are striking. After coming off back-to-back blowout wins against an FCS opponent and a slumping Group of 6 program, both teams look to prove themselves in Week 3. Each side features a prolific pass-rushing unit and has been electric through the air on offense, presenting an interesting matchup across the board.
Maryland undoubtedly will respond to the Hokies' blows in a way that VMI and ODU couldn't. Malik Washington is a difference-maker and hurts Brent Pry's defense in spurts, continuing his fast start to the season. The Terps' defense provides a stiff test for Ethan Grunkemeyer to navigate, but the Hokies' just have too many weapons, despite the offensive line continuing its slump and allowing more sacks than Maryland's o-line does.
Franklin, who has seemingly made it a point of pride to beat the Terps badly throughout his career, gets the Hokies on the right side of a matchup with a non-conference Power 4 foe for the first time since 2017 in a close one.
Pick: Virginia Tech 27, Maryland 23
Josh Poslusny
Virginia Tech’s first road test of the season should provide a much better indication of where the Hokies stand under James Franklin, but I think they leave College Park with another convincing win.
Maryland presents challenges that Virginia Tech hasn’t faced through its first two games, particularly with Malik Washington at quarterback and a defensive front capable of creating consistent pressure. The Terrapins should make things uncomfortable early, and I expect this to be a considerably more competitive game than Virginia Tech’s wins over VMI and Old Dominion.
The deciding factor? I trust Virginia Tech’s offense more than Maryland’s.
Ethan Grunkemeyer has been efficient through two starts, and his growing connection while Luke Reynolds gives Virginia Tech a reliable answer when the offense needs to move the chains. If the offensive line can keep Maryland’s pass rush from taking over the game, the Hokies should have opportunities for explosive plays.
Defensively, Virginia Tech’s front should create problems for a Maryland rushing attack that has yet to establish itself. The Terrapins hang around, but Virginia Tech keeps them narrowly out of striking distance all game and moves to 3-0.
