One year ago, expectations were high for the Virginia Tech football team. Now, things are a lot different with expectations going into the 2025 season. After a disappointing 6-7 season with a lot of roster turnover and coaching turnover, just what should expectations be for the Hokies this fall?
Depending on who you ask, you'll likely get different answers. Is seven wins that expectation, six, or just becoming bowl-eligible? The latter is not what the fanbase would want to hear be the expectation, but that just might be it. One ACC Network analyst named his measuring stick for Virginia Tech this season, and it's one that just might be reality.
ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain reveals his measuring stick for Virginia Tech football in 2025
Former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain, an ACC Network analyst, went on the Tech Sideline podcast and talked about the upcoming season. He was asked what the appropriate expectations are for fans for what will be produced on the field for Virginia Tech.
"You don't live in mediocrity,'' said Mac Lain. "You don't want me to sit here and say bowl game, you're good. That's not the case. The bare minimum for Virginia Tech is talking about going to a bowl game. But this year in particular, new faces, first-year coordinators, that's probably the measuring stick. That's probably a successful season if you get back to bowling, win the bowl game, and then have some real juice moving into the offseason, either making more acquisitions player-wise or growing who you have recruiting-wise on your team.''
Sadly, that would be a massive step back from where we were at this time last season. However, it feels like the measuring stick set by Mac Lain is not one that will sit well with the fans for too long. Let's see if the Hokies can surprise this season and win at least seven games to make it a successful season in a lot of people's eyes.