After an offseason full of hype, the 2024 season opener has arrived for Virginia Tech, as the Hokies head to Nashville as roughly two-touchdown favorites against Vanderbilt. The Hokies have a chance to make an early statement to nation that the hype from many is worth believing while Vanderbilt will look to prove
With that said, here’s our picks plus links to our pregame stories and season preview content.
- Keys to the Game
- Five Hokies to Watch
- Inside the Enemy: Vanderbilt
- Breaking Down Virginia Tech’s Week 1 Depth Chart
- Season Predictions
- Bold Predictions
- Preseason Offensive and Defensive MVPs
- Preseason Breakout Players
Tim Thomas
There's a reason why Virginia Tech is two-touchdown favorites even on the road and that will show on Saturday in this matchup. The Hokies should come out the gates pretty sharp given the volume of returners and continuity they have among players and staff while Vanderbilt has lots of new pieces and a new offense.
Now some could say that new offense could give Vandy some unpredictability, but the Hokies should be able to rely some on New Mexico State's 2023 offensive tape to prepare given that Vandy's QB (Diego Pavia) and offensive coordinator (Tim Beck) both are with Vandy now along with NMSU's head coach last season Jerry Kill being Vandy's "chief consultant to the head coach and senior offensive advisor." That should help the Hokies with their preparations.
The heat could be a factor, but the Hokies have used the outdoor Marching Virginians' turf field to help replicate the conditions, though temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 80s, a little cooler than previously expected.
At the end of the day, Tech can be aggressive in trying to contain the scrambling threat that Diego Pavia brings to the table given their massive advantage at CB compared to a Vandy skill position group that has lots of questions. Meanwhile, this could be a big day for the passing attack of the Hokies with Jaylin Lane being a matchup nightmare while Ali Jennings and Da'Quan Felton should have big advantages on the outside. If Tech can get it out in space and take the Vandy linebackers and safeties somewhat out of play, this could be a dominant victory.
The Hokies will start out the season strong with a dominant performance on the road at Vanderbilt.
Pick: Virginia Tech 38, Vanderbilt 14
Tucker Terry
While an SEC opponent should never be taken for granted, Virginia Tech has an opportunity for a statement win against one of the worst teams in the SEC, if the Hokies want to prove that they are truly back.
I predict the Hokies will do exactly that, storming out of the gate for a 45-13 win in Nashville. While Vanderbilt enters week one with a bolstered secondary, the Commodores are still coming off a season where they ranked last in the SEC in run defense and pass defense.
The Hokies will dominate the first half with a balanced offensive attack, featuring some read option sets with Drones and Tuten, which will open up the passing game and allow for multiple 30 plus yard chunk plays. In the second half, the Hokies will rely on their steady running game to burn the clock and keep possession of the football, to cruise to a big win in the season opener.
