Going into the 2024 college football season, there are a lot of reasons for excitement for Virginia Tech and its fans. First, the Hokies and head coach Brent Pry had a ton of retainment this offseason and returned just about all of their key players from last season on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Kyron Drones headlines the returnees on offense with running back Bhayshul Tuten and four wide receivers, Ali Jennings, Stephen Gosnell, Da'Quan Felton, and Jaylin Lane. On the defensive side, the Hokies return key players Antwaun Powell-Ryland, their sack leader along the defensive line, while Mansoor Delane and Dorian Strong anchor the secondary. Linebacker Keli Lawson is also returning.
Despite all of the retainment, Virginia Tech got some big commitments in the transfer portal with a focus going on the defensive side. Aeneas Peebles comes over from Duke while Kelvin Gilliam comes from Oklahoma and Kemari Copeland from Iowa Western Community College. Linebacker Sam Brumfield from Middle Tennessee State might make the most impact as he is a tackling machine.
Another reason for excitement is the schedule Virginia Tech is facing, mainly within the ACC. There is no Louisville, North Carolina State, or Florida State, but Miami and Clemson do appear in September and November respectivly. The Hokies are slotted at most betting sites for eight wins, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them crack nine or 10. With that said, here are four layup wins on their schedule and three potential losses.
Layup Win: at Vanderbilt, Aug. 31
The Hokies will travel to Nashville to open the season against Vanderbilt out of the SEC. Normally an SEC opponent would be trouble, however, the Commodores are not exactly an SEC powerhouse like Georgia and Alabama. They are still in major rebuild mode under head coach Clark Lea and 2024 looks like they could be for another tough campaign.
Let's face it, if Virginia Tech wants to get where some are hoping they can, this has to be a win and unless something unforeseen happens, it will be. It will be a good road test for a veteran team on both sides of the ball against a team in Vanderbilt that will start transfer quarterback Diego Pavia from New Mexico State. No doubt Pry will have his team locked in for this battle.
Layup win: vs. Marshall, Sept. 7
Virginia Tech's home opener will be against a Thundering Hurd team that beat them by seven points last season in West Virginia. Since that September afternoon, both rosters are heading in different directions as Marshall is replacing a lot of theirs while the Hokies are returning most of theirs.
Last season Virginia Tech was able to move the ball on Marshall at times in the game, but came up short finishing drives. That should not be a problem this season in Blacksburg as it will give the fanbase their first look at home of what is expected to be an explosive offensive unit.
Layup Win: vs. Boston College, Oct. 17
Last November, the Hokies were 4-5 and winless on the road when they traveled to Chestnut Hill, Mass. to play the Eagles who were already bowl-eligible. In what was their first of two complete road performances to close out the regular season and become bowl-eligible, Virginia Tech hung 48 points on BC and rolled to a 26-point rout.
Quarterback Thomas Castellanos returns for the Eagles and some other key skill position players, but Bill O'Brien is in his first year in charge of Boston College and Pry should have his team ready for this one coming off road games at Miami and Stanford followed by a bye the week before. Thursday night in Blacksburg is tough for any opponent.
Layup Win: vs. Virginia, Nov. 30
Two weeks after going on the road and blowing out Boston College, the Hokies needed a victory Thanksgiving Weekend in Charlottesville to become bowl-eligible. It didn't take long for Virginia Tech to take command of the game and roll to a 55-17 blowout of the Cavaliers to pick up bowl eligibility.
Everything that could go right, went right that day for the Hokies and in all honesty, I can't see with what Virginia Tech has returning that they'll lose at home to their in-state rivals. This could be another game where Pry and his team should be able to put up as many points as possible. Who knows what could also be on the line for Tech in this game, depending on how the rest of the ACC schedule play out.
Potential Loss: at Miami, Sept. 27
Another season and a lot of hype surrounding the Hurricanes. Last season they were not able to back it up in Year 2 of Mario Cristobal and as he begins his third season in South Florida, transfer portal additions he made might be enough to get Miami over the hump. Washington State QB transfer Cam Ward will be under center and he'll be handing off to a talented back in Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez.
This is about as tough of an ACC opener as anyone could have. This game for the Hokies is on a Friday night off a short week with a home game against Rutgers the week before. The week after, Virginia Tech will make the cross-country trip to California to play Stanford. It'll be interesting to see how this game plays out.
Potential Loss: at Syracuse, Nov. 2
This game is the trap game of all trap games. One week before hosting Clemson, the Hokies head to New York to play the new-look Orange in a place that is very difficult for everyone to win at. Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord is a good one and you have to think that Syracuse will play with a lot of energy all season long for first-year head coach Fran Brown.
A lot of people are sleeping on Syracuse this season, but not me. If healthy, this will be a team that will have a say in how things shape out in the ACC. Last season the Hokies rolled at home in a blowout victory on a Thursday night and you have to think that the returning Orange players have this game circled on their schedule.
Potential Loss: vs. Clemson, Nov. 9
Think about what could be on the line in this game in early November inside Lane Stadium. If the Hokies can somewhat take care of business leading into this game, a potential berth in the ACC Championship game could very well be on the line. The Tigers have a difficult schedule with a neutral site game against Georgia in Atlanta, then a game against Florida State in early October.
It's been some time since the Hokies and Tigers have matched up in an anticipated game and this could be the year. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did not add to his roster through the transfer portal and he's been under some fire for it coming off a 4-4 ACC record in 2023. This will be a great environment for college football.
There are certainly other games on Virginia Tech's schedule that could be potential losses with a home game against Rutgers on Sept. 21 headlining that list. There is no reason for the Hokies not to be up for that game as the 35-16 pounding they took last September in New Jersey in what was Drones' first game as a starter. Regardless, if Tech isn't 4-0 through their non-conference scheduling heading to Miami, it could be considered a little disappointing.