Going into the 2025 season, it’s a big one for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry and his team. After a disappointing 6-7 2024 campaign that saw the Hokies drop the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to Minnesota in January, Virginia Tech has had a lot of turnover with the coaching staff and roster.
One narrative going into last season was that their schedule was doable in the ACC, and in the non-conference too, which was supposed to set them up to take the next step under Pry. Now, facing a lot more questions going into this upcoming season, the schedule is going to be a lot more difficult, and here are the three toughest games they will face.
3. Louisville
Another team looking to have a bounce-back season it’s the Cardinals. Head coach Jeff Brohm has gone out and filled holes on the roster, including at quarterback with USC transfer Miller Moss. A lot of people have Louisville as a dark-horse College Football Playoff team in the second season of the 12-team field.
Virginia Tech gets this game in Blacksburg this season, which could help, but this is going to be a very difficult game, especially if the Cardinals have a lot to play for when the teams meet.
2. Miami
Will Mario Cristobal finally get the Hurricanes over the hump in 2025? He came very close to doing it last season, but they tripped up late in the season against Georgia Tech and Syracuse, which cost them a spot in the ACC Championship Game.
Gone is Cam Ward to the NFL Draft, and replacing him is Georgia transfer Carson Beck. We all remember what happened last season in South Florida with the overturned touchdown, and this season’s game will be played the weekend before Thanksgiving in Blacksburg. This is the latest game in November, which is a daunting stretch for Pry’s team.
1. South Carolina
Nothing like beginning the season with your projected toughest game. That’s what the Hokies are facing on Aug. 30 in a stand-alone game on a Sunday afternoon in Atlanta at 3 o’clock. The Gamecocks are a trendy pick in the SEC this season as a dark-horse with quarterback LaNorris Sellers back.
This could be a huge boost for a young and inexperienced team to go on the road and win the opener against a team many feel will be a tough out in the SEC. There is a quick turnaround for the Hokies, who host Vanderbilt six days later in their home opener.
Another team that could have been on this list is Georgia Tech, which the Hokies will visit next season with QB Haynes King back. Truth be told, nearly all the games on Virginia Tech’s schedule in 2025 will be difficult.