The James Franklin era in Blacksburg begins in two months, and it has been a long wait since the disaster of 2025 ended for the Virginia Tech football program. Franklin was officially hired, replacing his former defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, whom he rehired as the Hokies' new DC.
There have been a lot of changes since the dismal 2025 campaign ended, and the excitement should be at an all-time high going into a new era of Virginia Tech football. With that said, we ranked the Hokies' toughest environments on the road this upcoming season. Now we'll rank the Hokies' toughest games at home from easiest to. toughest.
6. VMI
The Franklin era begins on Labor Day Weekend with VMI making a visit to Blacksburg for the season opener under the lights at Lane Stadium. This is the opponent that the Hokies can use to work out some early-season kinks before things get difficult.
5. Old Dominion
I mean, if the returning players on Virginia Tech's roster don't have this game circled on their schedule this fall, then I don't know what to tell you. Pry will certainly be ready for this one after he was fired after ODU laid a beatdown on the Hokies last September in Blacksburg. Not much more to say about this one.
4. Stanford
The Cardinal are going through some changes as well, like a lot of other ACC schools, and have to make the cross-country flight in November. That's a less-than-ideal task for a program rebuilding on the fly. This should be a win for Franklin's team.
3. Pittsburgh
This is an interesting matchup for Virginia Tech. The Panthers will visit in early October for a Friday night game. Pitt sent shockwaves through the ACC late last season when they took down Georgia Tech in Atlanta late in the season to cost the Yellow Jackets a spot in the ACC Championship Game. This is a huge trap game for the Hokies.
2. Virginia
Some might have thought that this would have been the No. 1 game, but that goes to someone else. Virginia is coming off an 11-win season and a Super Bowl win over the worst Virginia Tech team in decades last season. Most Cavaliers fans think the series history began in 2025 and want to ignore what happened before that, but expect them to take a step back this season and get an up-close look at the future under James Franklin in Blacksburg. Order will be restored in 2026.
1. Georgia Tech
This will be the toughest Hokies home game in 2026. Brent Key has the Yellow Jackets rolling and looking to erase the memories of last season's loss at home to Pittsburgh that cost them a spot in Charlotte. Virginia Tech was beaten in Atlanta last season, so there is some revenge on the line, but it won't be easy at all.
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