We are less than two months from the James Franklin era beginning in Blacksburg when the Virginia Tech football team kicks off the 2026 season against VMI at Lane Stadium on Sept. 5, under the lights.
With a new-look roster, there are a lot of questions as to just how things are going to end up going for the Hokies in 2026. The ACC didn't do them any favors in terms of the schedule with nine games, five on the road, and four of them being very difficult trips in one way or another. George Wrighster III one his podcast, dropped this Top 25 for the upcoming season, and it's one that shows just how difficult things could be this fall for Franklin and the Hokies.
George Wrighster III drops Top 25 that should have Hokies' fans attention in 2026
Wrighster's Top 25 only included three ACC schools, but all three ACC schools are on Virginia Tech's schedule this upcoming fall. Coming in at No. 4 is Miami, SMU is No. 18, and Virginia is No. 22. All three opponents appear on the Hokies' schedule in November, with trips to Dallas, Texas, to play the Mustangs and then to South Florida to play the Hurricanes. Virginia will make the trip to Blacksburg Thanksgiving Weekend.
My Preseason College Football Top 25 Rankings
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) July 5, 2026
No Bias… Just the real! pic.twitter.com/uCNUNOmuCQ
One team that was surprising to see omitted was Clemson, as Virginia Tech takes a trip there in October. That's not going to be easy. The other two conference road games are at Boston College in September and at California in October. Virginia Tech's home ACC games are against Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and Stanford, along with UVA.
Say what you will, but that's not an easy slate. Things can change over the course of a season, and there could be some opponents ranked by the time they pop up on Virginia Tech's schedule. There could be some teams that are flying under the radar entering the season, and that's what makes preseason predictions dangerous, but also fun. The bottom line is that there is nothing that is going to come easily for Franklin and the Hokies in 2026, especially in November.
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