We are two months away from James Franklin's first game as head coach at Virginia Tech. Hired in mid-November to replace his former defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, who was fired in September by Virginia Tech, there have been a lot of changes since Franklin was brought on board.
He has a new staff, there has been a roster overhaul, and did we forget to mention that Pry is back as the defensive coordinator? Anyway, looking ahead to the fall, let's rank the Hokies' road games in terms of easiest to toughest in terms of environment.
6. Boston College
This is nothing like a trip to Chestnut Hill with a crowd that is a small gathering of close friends and family on a Saturday in the fall. Like Virginia Tech, BC is trending in the right direction, but this is the best-case scenario for an ACC opener on the road for Franklin and his team.
5. Maryland
This is a game where there are going to be a lot of Hokies fans in attendance for Virginia Tech's first road game of the Franklin era. This is by far the toughest Hokies' non-conference game, with VMI and Old Dominion coming to Blacksburg to begin the season in the first two weeks.
4. California
This ACC road slate after Boston College is daunting. The Hokies beat Cal at home last season in double overtime, 42-34, in late October. This year, Virginia Tech is making the long trek west and will have to deal with star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Not an easy game by any means.
3. Miami
Remember the last time the Hokies made a trip to South Florida? They were robbed by video review, without a doubt. Anyway, that was two years ago, and the two teams are different. Tech is up-and-coming under Franklin, and the Hurricanes are legit ACC and College Football Playoff contenders. Will Miami fans show up, or will it be another casual crowd?
2. SMU
The Mustangs are legit as well in the ACC. In fact, Virignia Tech could be making a trip to both teams that could be in the ACC Championship Game in early December, Miami and SMU. Kelvin Jennings is back at quarterback, and SMU has some serious athletes around him. This is a very difficult task.
1. Clemson
Who else would take the cake as the toughest road game in terms of environment in 2026 than the ACC's version of Death Valley? This is part of the tough conference games away from Blacksburg this upcoming fall. It'll be interesting to see where these two are at by the time kick-off comes in late October.
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