Virginia Tech stunningly has no answers for Diego Pavia & Vanderbilt

It's not the start to the season that Virginia Tech fans had hoped for. With all the hype leading into the 2024 season and what seemed like a winnable game on the road at Vanderbilt turned into a season-opening nightmare.

A near two-touchdown favorite against the Commodores, who were picked to finish last in the SEC this season, the Hokies fell behind 17-0, battled back to take a 27-20 lead with under five minutes left, only to allow 10 points, and lose in overtime, 34-27.

Virginia Tech had no answers for Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt

Whether it was in the first half, or the final four minutes of regulation and overtime, Virginia Tech and defensive coordinator Chris Marve had no answers for former New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia. Literally, no answers and when they needed to get a stop at crucial moments in the game, they couldn't.

Pavia was 12-for-16 throwing the ball for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That's just the beginning. When he kept the ball and ran it, he rushed it 24 times for 104 yards and a game-winning touchdown in overtime. He had 294 combined yards against a Hokies defense that returned key players and added some key transfer portal additions. And they still had no answers for Pavia and the Commodores' offense.

It's only Week 1, but losing to a team picked to finish last in the SEC on the road doesn't exactly set the tone for a season where you have high hopes. The season isn't over, but rebounding from this is a must. What is concerning is that it seemed the only time Virginia Tech had an answer in the second half was when Vanderbilt got conservative with their play calling and it allowed the Hokies back in the game. In the end, this is as bad of a loss as anyone has had to begin the season. Heck, Florida State's loss to Georgia Tech looks better than this. And Lee Corso looks like a genius.