We are one month away from the James Franklin era officially beginning at Virginia Tech. Hired last November, the former Vanderbilt and Penn State coach was hired to replace his former Penn State defensive coordinator and now current Virginia Tech DC, Brent Pry he has hit the ground running.
Until Franklin wins the big game, he is going to have doubters who will follow him from State College to Blacksburg. However, Franklin has an opportunity to pick up some wins in his first season at Virginia Tech that can quickly change the narrative on that front. Here are five wins that he could pick up in 2026 that would silence some doubters.
Oct. 10: at California
So, you're going to notice a trend on this list: games on the road away from Blacksburg. However, there is still one home game on the list, but we're going to start at Cal. A lot has changed for both programs since last October's overtime win for the Hokies at Lane Stadium. Both teams have new coaches, and Cal returns their stud quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, while Virginia Tech will go with Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer. A trip to Northern California is never easy.
Oct. 17: vs. Georgia Tech
One week after coming back from the West Coast at Cal, the Hokies have a very dangerous home game with Brent Key and Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are a dark horse this season and will be a game that would be a bigger win than some think. This is a type of game that Franklin would win at home while at Penn State and one that he can't really lose in 2026 if the Hokies are going to turn things around and become bowl-eligible.
Oct. 24: at Clemson
Now we're getting into the juicy matchups that could really change the James Franklin narrative that he can't win the big game. A road game in late October against an ACC contender that has a head coach facing the same narrative at times that Franklin does. Winning this game would silence a lot of Penn State fans who will put effort into watching everything that happens to James Franklin this year at Virginia Tech rather than Matt Campbell at Penn State.
Nov. 6: at SMU
The Hokies are forced to play a ninth ACC game this season due to having played only one non-conference game against a Power 4 conference school. They will visit Maryland on Sept. 19. They will host VMI and Old Dominion to open the season. Talk about picking up a brutal ninth game at SMU, which has yet to lose a home ACC game. It remains to be seen if that will still be the case when Virginia Tech visits Dallas in early November, but if it is and Tech pulls an upset, then this would be a major win for Franklin.
Nov. 20: at Miami
This would be a monster win for Franklin and the Hokies. A legitimate National Championship contender, Miami is primed for a big season in South Florida. The Hurricanes could have a berth in the ACC Championship Game a couple of weeks on the line, which Virginia Tech could put a major damper on. It was just two short years ago that Virginia Tech had victory snatched from them on video replay, and now they return to the scene of the crime under new leadership. Ths win would crush the James Franklin can't win the big game narrative.
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