Blacksburg has been the center of national attention throughout the offseason, thanks to James Franklin taking the reins of the program back in November. After months of culture-building and coach-speak, it's time for the Hokies' new head whistle to debut against in-state, FCS foe VMI on Saturday night.
With kickoff just hours away, let’s get you ready for today’s matchup between Virginia Tech and VMI.
Season Predictions: With the 2026 season about to begin, you can check out our season predictions here. Note that two of us have the Hokies having their most successful football season of the 2020s.
First Look at VMI: Check out Josh Poslusny’s first look at the VT-VMI matchup here. It’s pretty clear this won’t be a competitive game, but that also means that the Hokies should be able to get their depth players lots of opportunities. There’s also some great history between the two programs, even if that history truly feels like a thing of the past given the chasm between the talent levels of VT and VMI.
Keys to the Game: When you’re more than 50-point favorites, there aren’t really any traditional keys to the game. For VT, the biggest keys to Saturday night being a success are working out the procedural kinks that can come with a Week 1 matchup, along with leaving this game unscathed injury-wise. The defensive side is the potential bigger area of concern, given the style of blocking that they could face against VMI’s option attack. If Tech dominates as expected while getting out the kinks and leaving the game injury-free, it’ll be a successful opener.
Hokies to Watch: You can check out Adam Firebaugh’s Hokies to Watch feature here. One of those players is Virginia Tech’s most hyped up freshman on this roster: WR Davion Brown. The Richmond native was one of the biggest risers during fall camp after not arriving till the summer and should at least have a spot in the two-deep. While the competition is weak, this is still a great chance for Brown to show off his talents and share insights into how big his role may be this fall.
Virginia Tech X-Factor: Aidan Lynch rose into the starting lineup by attrition last season but has now emerged as the starting right tackle after beating out some proven competition in an improved offensive line room. This should be a straightforward Week 1 matchup, but next week should start to give us insights on where Lynch’s game is at now. Check out more on Lynch’s surprising rise and the lesson that can be learned from it here.
Visit List: Virginia Tech is set for a strong recruiting weekend for James Franklin’s debut as the Hokies’ head coach. One of those recruits is 2028 3* DE Junious Clay out of the 757, who has VT among three P4 schools currently standing out for him. You can check out the full list here.
On-Field Sponsor: In addition to new LED lights, Lane Stadium will also feature an on-field sponsorship from Virginia Credit Union. Check out more from Josh Poslusny here.
Now let’s dive into our staff’s game predictions for the Hokies vs VMI.
Tim Thomas
The James Franklin era begins with what likely is one of the most lopsided matchups in program history, as the Hokies take on a VMI team that is ranked outside the top 400 in every level of college football at all levels by SP+. This same VMI team also opened its season last week with a 38-10 loss at Idaho State.
So yeah, this game won’t be close whatsoever, with the biggest drama being whether VT covers a 50+ point spread or not. One thing that could limit the margin is VMI’s option offense. Even if the Keydets are regularly going three-and-out or are only getting 1-2 first downs on a drive, those will almost certainly churn valuable clock.
Ultimately, there isn’t much analysis needed with this pick as the Hokies will dominate VMI for the first win of the James Franklin era, but will have a hard time covering the 50+ point spread.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 58, VMI 3
Adam Firebaugh
Despite the lopsided nature of this matchup, there's plenty for fans to be excited about. A new-look Lane Stadium, a prime-time kick-off, and the beginning of the James Franklin era should be more than enough to make up for the snooze fest that this game will inevitably become.
Even as far as FCS teams go, VMI is bad. The overmatched Wofford squad that Tech dismantled at home last year dominated the Keydets, 52-10. They're in the first year of head coach Ashley Ingram's tenure, who has implemented a triple-option system similar to Navy and Army. The talent disparity alone makes this matchup one-sided, but rolling out a new scheme won't help the team from up the road in Lexington, either.
VMI will almost certainly struggle in every phase of the game, giving the Hokies, virtually all of them, plenty of opportunities to shake off the rust and ease into the season in mostly overwhelming fashion. It won't always been sunshine and rainbows, as a new team figures out how to play together, but it won't be one to sweat over, either.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 52, VMI 6
Josh Poslusny
The Hokies come into this game as a heavy favorite against VMI, sporting a 55.5 advantage by Vegas odds. The Hokies haven't found the 50-point mark since they beat UVa 55-17 in Charlottesville in 2024, and before then it was in 2018, when they trounced William & Mary in a 62-17 effort in Blacksburg.
That only accounts for scoring 50+, though. The last time Virginia Tech won by at least 50 was the fabled 59-7 win in the midst of Hurricane Matthew against UNC in 2017, when the Hokies dominated the entire way against a conference foe.
VMI didn't look good in their opening matchup against Idaho State, scoring just 10 points in garbage time against an FCS opponent. With that said, this is the first game the Hokies will play after overhauling a large portion of their roster, and it's the team's first game as a unit.
While the Hokies should clearly dominate this game, I don't expect them to mesh instantly and look like the fringe top 25 team that they are capable of being.
