It's hard to believe, but the 2026 college football season is just 100 days away. Virginia Tech fans are counting down the days until the Hokies kick off the season for the first time under James Franklin against VMI at Lane Stadium on Labor Day Weekend.
Coming off a 3-9 season that saw Brent Pry fired as head coach, only to be rehired by Franklin as his defensive coordinator in Blacksburg, there is nowhere to go but up for Virginia Tech. After Franklin was hired, there was a major overhaul with the roster, and several former Penn State players hit the Transfer Portal to follow Franklin to Virginia Tech.
Expectations are all over the place for the Hokies in 2026. Some seem unrealistic, and some, well, could be realistic. There are still over three months until the season opener, and there are going to be more predictions that come out. One from ESPN is one that would irritate Penn State fans to no end.
ESPN prediction for James Franklin and Virginia Tech would drive Penn State fans nuts
When a school moves on from a coach, well, usually, it doesn't take the fanbase long to forget about that coach and move. That's not the case with Penn State fans. There is an unhealthy obsession they have where they feel the need to follow every move he makes and spend their day talking about it on social media.
It's really something else. Instead of embracing new coach Matt Campbell, they spend more time following Franklin and commenting on every move he makes. It will likely carry on for years. However, ESPN had a prediction for the Hokies for the 2026 campaign that would send Nittany Lions fans over the edge.
"The former Penn State coach is now at Virginia Tech -- along with a slew of Nittany Lions recruits and transfers -- and he has his sights set on a dramatic improvement from last year's 3-9 finish for the Hokies. Although it's probably too outlandish to predict Franklin gets Virginia Tech into the playoff, winning nine isn't that far out of the question -- which could mean Franklin wins more games in 2026 than his former team does at Penn State,'' ESPN wrote.
The playoffs are likely a dream in Year 1 for Franklin, but could you imagine if Virginia Tech won more games than Penn State and Campbell this season? That would send Nittany Lions scrambling for something else to come up with to rip Franklin about.
Now, winning nine games is not out of the question for the Hokies, but the schedule is tough. If they win eight or nine games and Penn State doesn't with their schedule, well, that would drive Penn State fans nuts.
Expectations are clearly going to be high for Franklin and Virginia Tech in Year 1. There are going to be a lot of eyes nationally on them this season. There are some daunting road games in the ACC against California, Miami, SMU, and Clemson, which means they'll have to win at least one of those games to get to nine. Whatever happens, you can be sure Penn State fans will have just as many eyes on Virginia Tech this season as Hokies' fans.
Add us as a preferred source on Google