Ten months after being hired at Virginia Tech, James Franklin will begin his tenure in Blacksburg on Sept. 5, when VMI visits. As for a handful of ACC teams, they began their season on Saturday with Week 0 games. How will Franklin's first season with the Hokies end? That is a question that a lot of people would like to know. Here is a game-by-game prediction for the 2026 season.
Virginia Tech vs. VMI
- Saturday, September 5
- 7:30 p.m. ET
The Keydets come to a sold-out Lane Stadium on Labor Day Weekend in what is going to be an electric atmosphere. Virginia Tech is a huge favorite, and this should be an opportunity to get a lot of people some playing time. This one should be over early.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 47, VMI 9 (1-0)
Virginia Tech vs. Old Dominion
- Saturday: September 12
- 12:00 p.m.
Any returning players from last season's team should be ready for this game. ODU blew out the Hokies and ended Brent Pry's tenure as head coach. It was an embarrassing night all-around. It opened the door for James Franklin to be hired and for Pry to come back as defensive coordinator.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 17 (2-0)
Virginia Tech at Maryland
- Saturday, September 19
- 7:30 p.m. ET
Virginia Tech's first true road game will be an interesting one against the Terrapins under the lights. Quarterback Malik Washington is a dynamic signal caller, and the Hokies were in the mix for him a couple of years ago. This is the type of game James Franklin would lose at Penn State. He can't here.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Maryland 20 (3-0)
Virginia Tech at Boston College
- Saturday, September 26
- TBA
The first ACC game for Franklin at Virginia Tech is at BC, and another coach is on the hot seat: Bill O'Brien. Strange things could happen in Chestnut Hill, but if the Hokies lose to the Eagles, then it could be a long year in Blacksburg. Again, see above; this is the type of game at Penn State that Franklin would occasionally lose.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 35, Boston College 16 (4-0)
Virginia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
- Friday, October 2
- 7:00 p.m. ET
The first ACC home game for Franklin at Lane Stadium is a Friday night game. There is nothing like a weeknight home game under the lights in Blacksburg. If the Hokies can find a way to get to 4-0 going into this game, it would be a big early-season test for Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Pittsburgh 23 (5-0)
Virginia Tech at California
- Saturday, October 10
- TBA
After beating the Golden Bears at home last season in overtime, Virginia Tech will make the trip out west to visit Cal in Northern California. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is one of the better players in the conference and should take a big leap in his second season of college football.
Prediction: California 31, Virginia Tech 24 (5-1)
Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech
- Saturday, October 17
- TBA
One of the more interesting teams in the ACC this season is the Yellow Jackets. Head coach Brent Key turns the keys over to Alberto Mendoza, who came over via the Transfer Portal from Indiana. By this time of the season, we will know a lot about Virginia Tech, and this is a tricky game after flying home from Cal the week before.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Georgia Tech 16 (6-1)
Virginia Tech at Clemson
- Saturday, September 3
- TBA
Another difficult road game for the Hokies in 2026 is a trip to South Carolina to play Clemson and Dabo Swinney. The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a frustrating 2025 season, and they will again see former Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Luke Reynolds after last season's Pinstripe Bowl win for the Nittany Lions. This one could be a toss-up.
Prediction: Clemson 28, Virginia Tech 26 (6-2)
Virginia Tech at SMU
- Friday, November 6
- 7:00 p.m ET
After a late bye week, the Hokies play their second Friday night game of the season in early November in Dallas against the Mustangs. With quarterback Kevin Jennings, SMU is a threat to Miami this season. This game was a late addition when the Hokies had to pick up a ninth conference game. Not an easy one.
Prediction: SMU 29, Virginia Tech 17 (6-3)
Virginia Tech vs. Stanford
- Saturday, November 14
- TBA
Two years ago, the Hokies rolled over the Cardinal in Northern California, but there have been a lot of changes between the two schools since they last met. Flying cross-country in November is not something Stanford might be looking forward to at this point in the season.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 37, Stanford 20 (7-3)
Virginia Tech at Miami
- Saturday, November 21
- TBA
Remember what happened two years ago in South Florida? Virginia Tech had its victory snatched from it by the replay official in what was a stunning decision. Miami made it to the National Championship Game last year and might be better this season.
Prediction: Miami 38, Virginia Tech 17 (7-4)
Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
- Saturday, November 28
- TBA
This could be a fun one. Virginia beat the Hokies last season, the worst Virginia Tech in decades, and it was the Cavaliers' Super Bowl. They lost the ACC Championship Game a week later to a very average Duke team. If there was ever a clear path to the CFP, it was last season. Expect James Franklin to quickly restore order in the Commonwealth Cup with a win. James Franklin is going to end up being a nightmare for Tony Elliott.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 20 (8-4)
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