Seven games into the 2026 season, the Virginia Tech football team is 5-2 under James Franklin. They are a couple of made field goals away from being 7-0 and heading to South Carolina to face 4-2 Clemson, undefeated. Think of the hype surrounding a game like that in Franklin's first year in Blacksburg?
Still, a matchup between a pair of two-loss teams is a game that ESPN has slotted into primetime at 7 p.m. on ESPN. That's right, the Hokies are back in primetime, on a Saturday night on ESPN. Virginia Tech is so back.
It should be a surprise that the Hokies are entering the game as an underdog with a line that saw them open as a small favorite. The line currently having the Tigers as a favorite is the right line for it to be. Here is one final look at the odds and a prediction for Virginia Tech's final game before a bye Halloween weekend.
Final Virginia Tech vs. Clemson: odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Clemson (-142)
- Virginia Tech (+120)
Spread
- Clemson -2.5 (-120)
- Virginia Tech +2.5 (+100)
Total
- 49.5 (over -105/under -110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Virginia Tech at Clemson prediction
This is a matchup where something has to give. What is that, you might ask? Well, when Clemson has the ball, the Tigers have struggled to finish drives with touchdown passes in ACC play the last year. It just so happens that the Hokies, under Brent Pry, have a lot of trouble defending the pass, and they just might be what Dabo Swinney's offense needs to get its mojo back. It would be typical Virginia Tech if that happened on Saturday night.
As for Virginia Tech's offense, it'll be a matchup of strength vs. strength going up against the Tigers' stout defense. Hokies' offensive coordinator Ty Howle will have a difficult time moving the ball downfield. The running game will need to be a big factor, and getting that going on the road will be a must. If they can, that will open up the pass game for an offense with multiple weapons that does a lot of its damage through the air.
Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has brought his Penn State connection with tight end Luke Reynolds to Virginia Tech, and the duo is difficult to stop when Grunkemeyer can get Reynolds the ball. However, for that to happen, the offensive line, which is a patchwork group right now, will need to have one of their better games of the season in Death Valley.
Virginia Tech hired James Franklin to win these types of games. A primetime matchup on the road in a hostile environment. Truth be told, Franklin needs to win one of the final three road games: Clemson, SMU, and Miami, to change the narrative of him not being able to win the big games on the road. It starts Saturday night at Clemson.
Prediction: Clemson 23, Virginia Tech 17
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