Going into the 2026 season, there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the ACC. That's what makes the hiring of James Franklin more interesting by Virginia Tech.
There is no doubting the success that Franklin had at Vanderbilt and Penn State in turning around both programs. If he can do it in the SEC and Big Ten, he can do it in the ACC. Just how big or a hire was Franklin? Athlon Sports released their ACC predictions for the 2026 season, and they place the Hokies in a surprising spot with a message to the rest of the conference.
Virginia Tech football get high preseason ACC ranking from Athlon Sports
After Franklin was hired in Blacksburg, he completed a roster turnover and put together his coaching staff. The additions made through the portal, along with some incoming freshmen, will make Hokies forget the 3-9 2025 season they just endured. However, is it realistic to expect a turnaround from three wins to eight or nine? Maybe, and Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports thinks there is going to be a big turnaround in Blacksburg this fall.
"The Hokies won the offseason with the hire of James Franklin as head coach, along with a significant investment into the program to give it all the resources it needs to contend for the ACC Championship once again,'' wrote Lassan.
The investment by the school was one of the big reasons why Franklin considered going to Virginia Tech after his former defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, was fired following a 0-3 start to last season. If the school wasn't going to invest, then there was no chance Franklin was going to accept the position.
Now that he's there and a handful of key portal additions are locked up, it's time for Franklin and his staff to get to work on 2026.
"There are question marks for Franklin to address on both lines of scrimmage this fall. However, in the ACC, if the right pieces fall into place, the Hokies could be one of the most-improved teams in the power conference rankings in ‘26,'' added Lassan.
The trenches are certainly a question mark, but if things do fall into place, it could be a big bounce-back season in Blacksburg. There is nowhere to go but up; however, don't be surprised if Virginia Tech makes a bigger jump than some think it can. Lassan and Athlon Sports think so, and they think the Hokies could be in for a big improvement in 2026.
Virginia Tech kicks off the season against VMI at Lane Stadium in early September, and that can't get here quickly enough.
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