In less than three weeks, the Virginia Tech football team will kick off the James Franklin era in Blacksburg under the lights on Sept. 5 against VMI. The schedule this season will be a difficult one for Franklin, as there are some very difficult road games in the ACC, with a very interesting non-conference game at Maryland in what is Virginia Tech's first true road game.
As the season opener inches closer and closer, let's rank the Hokies schedule from easiest games to the most difficult.
Ranking Virginia Tech football schedule from easiest to toughest matchups
12. Sept. 5: vs. VMI
The easiest game will be the opener against VMI at Lane Stadium. It isn't surprising that this game will be in primetime under the lights for Franklin's first game. This should be a layup for Virginia Tech and a very good start to the Franklin era before things begin to get more and more difficult.
11. Nov. 14: vs. Stanford
Like Virginia Tech, Stanford is working with a new head coach, Tavita Pritchard. However, it feels like it is going to be a long season in Northern California for the Cardinal. Making the cross-country trip in mid-November into some cold weather is less than ideal for a team who could be playing out the string on the 2026 season with nothing to play for.
10. Sept. 12: vs. Old Dominion
There is nothing easy when the Hokies and Monarchs meet on the field for Virginia Tech. Last season's beatdown by ODU of the Hokies in Blacksburg ended Brent Py's tenure in Week 3, and it led to Franklin being hired. It shouldn't take much for the returning players to get up for this game, and if it doesn't, then something is wrong.
9. Sept. 26: at Boston College
As difficult as the rest of the conference schedule is, Virginia Tech couldn't have asked for a better ACC opener than a trip to Chestnut Hill in late September and Bill O'Brien and the Eagles. This could be a difficult game if the Hokies aren't ready, but a loss here will set up for a difficult rest of the conference slate.
8. Sept. 19: at Maryland
As mentioned above, the first true road game for the Hokies will be at Big Ten foe Maryland, under the lights in primetime at 7:30 p.m. This game could get interesting between Franklin and Terrapins coach Mike Locksley, who never saw eye-to-eye when the Hokies' new coach was at Penn State. A small side note to keep an eye on this game.
7. Oct. 2: vs. Pittsburgh
The Panthers are a sneaky dark horse pick in the ACC in 2026, and this will be a short week coming after Virginia Tech's trip to BC. A Friday night game in Lane Stadium is fun, and that is the night they will be hosting this year during the week rather than on a Thursday night. Regardless, under the lights in Blacksburg in the fall is simply awesome.
6. Nov. 28: vs. Virginia
The Cavaliers had a tremendous 2025 season where they ended the season with a 27-7 win over the worst Virginia Tech team in decades. Of course, most Virginia fans think that the history in the Commonwealth Clash began last season and want to ignore what happened before it. Hope they enjoyed that win, as with James Franklin at Virginia Tech, he'll quickly right the ship in the rivalry.
5. Oct. 17: vs. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets come to Blacksburg in 2026 after they rolled over the Hokies in 2025 at home. Both rosters have gone through some changes, and this will be a good middle of the season test for both clubs. Never underestimate a Brent Key team.
4. Oct. 10: at California
You could flip a coin as to which game will be tougher, at Cal or a week later at home against Georgia Tech. Traveling cross-country and having to deal with quarterback , who nearly led the Golden Bears to a win last season at Lane Stadium, falling in overtime. He was impressive that night in October and should be even more impressive in 2026.
3. Oct. 24: at Clemson
James Franklin vs. Dabo Swinney in Clemson, South Carolina, in Death Valley. Nothing better in October, in a game that, if chalk holds up until that point, could be a very big game for both teams in the ACC race. Clemson is looking for a bounce-back season and will know Hokies quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer well, as he beat them in the Pinstripe Bowl last December.
2. Nov. 6: at SMU
Playing only one non-conference game against a Power 4 opponent, the Hokies picked up a ninth ACC game, and as luck would have it, they get to travel to Dallas to play Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs in early November on a Friday night. This begins a grueling final month of the regular season for Virginia Tech.
1. Nov. 21: at Miami
Coming up short in the National Championship Game back in January should fuel the fire in the Hurricanes in 2026. If they can get by a November matchup at Notre Dame, then running the table is certainly on the table for Mario Cristobal's team. Virginia Tech returns to a place where they were robbed of a win two years ago by the replay official. Never forget.
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