Virginia Tech’s start under James Franklin could hardly have gone much better in Blacksburg, but the next test comes with a little more edge.
The Hokies rolled past VMI 73-3 on Saturday night, leaning on a defense that suffocated the Keydets, a ground game that kept pounding away, and a sharp first start from Ethan Grunkemeyer. That kind of lopsided opener can make a team look polished in a hurry. Old Dominion, though, brings a different kind of challenge.
Virginia Tech hosts the Monarchs this weekend in a matchup that carries some recent baggage. The Hokies lost 45-26 to Old Dominion last season, and Brent Pry was fired the next day. Pry remains on the staff as defensive coordinator, and he’ll be trying to steer that side of the ball to another strong showing.
For now, the market still likes Virginia Tech to handle business. The Hokies opened as 17.5-point favorites against Old Dominion, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Old Dominion comes in after a 31-10 win over Norfolk State, a team led by Virginia Tech legend Michael Vick. The Monarchs are viewed as a Sun Belt contender, and even if they are not as explosive as they were a year ago, this is still the kind of game Virginia Tech can’t afford to treat lightly if it wants to move to 2-0 under Franklin.
There was plenty for Hokies fans to like in the opener, especially on the ground. Jeffrey Overton Jr. ripped off 104 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries, while Marcellous Hawkins added 69 yards on 12 attempts and scored three times.
Grunkemeyer also settled in nicely in his debut, completing 17 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He may already have a go-to option in Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown, who hauled in six of his eight targets for 109 yards and a score.
The defense, meanwhile, was overwhelming. Virginia Tech held VMI to 83 total yards, a number that tells the story all by itself.
Kickoff at Lane Stadium is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the game set to air on the CW Network.
In Other News...
James Franklin Knows Exactly What Virginia Tech Is Up Against
James Franklin enters this matchup with a clear sense of the challenge ahead, and not just because Virginia Tech is trying to set a tone early. Franklin knows Old Dominion well through his close personal and professional relationship with Monarchs coach Ricky Rahne, a connection that goes back to Franklins time away from Penn State, when he visited Old Dominions sideline after being fired. Now he is preparing to face a coach he respects in a setting where familiarity only raises the level of urgency.
Franklin acknowledged Rahnes success at Old Dominion and the confidence the Monarchs will bring into the game, which only sharpens the stakes for Virginia Tech. It also adds an unusual layer to an already meaningful meeting, with the two coaches set to stand on opposite sidelines and each knowing the others background, habits and expectations. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Techs Blowout Just Changed How The Rest Of The Schedule Looks
Virginia Tech opened the season with a rout of VMI that did more than fill up the scoreboard. The Hokies used the opener to make an early statement, and the result has reshaped the way the rest of their schedule looks from here. With Old Dominion next on the docket, the conversation around this team has already shifted from simply getting through September to how quickly a strong start can build.
ESPNs Football Power Index took notice, too, and the projections now look more favorable for Virginia Tech in the weeks ahead. There are still plenty of tests to navigate, and the margin for error will tighten once the schedule gets deeper, but the early read is clear enough: this kind of performance changes expectations, both inside the building and in the way the next few opponents are viewed. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech's Bowl Outlook Just Got A Lot More Complicated
Virginia Techs bowl picture is still very much in flux, and the range of national projections tells the story. Different outlets have the Hokies headed to different postseason destinations, a reflection of how hard it is to pin down this teams ceiling under new head coach James Franklin. The uncertainty is part of the appeal at this point, especially with the season still offering enough swing game potential to move the conversation in a hurry.
Recent results and Franklins track record have kept the Hokies in the mix, but not settled anywhere just yet. The broader read is that Virginia Tech has enough talent and coaching structure to stay bowl-bound, though the exact landing spot remains one of the more interesting unresolved questions around the program as the year unfolds. [Read more 🡒]