James Franklin will finally coach his first game at Virginia Tech on Saturday night when VMI visits Blacksburg for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Lane Stadium. The Keydets are coming in off a season-opening loss at Idaho State, 31-10, on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to that game and loss for VMI, the Hokies were a 50.5 favorite according to DraftKings. Two days after the Keydets lost by four touchdowns, the line has ballooned to an incredible 55.5 points, according to DraftKings, at the time this article is being written.
James Franklin thinks FCS games are worth playing
Virginia Tech will be looking for a 14th straight win against FCS opponents when they play VMI, and opening the season against an FCS school is something that the Hokies are going to be doing over the next couple of seasons.
Next year, they will host The Citadel, and then in 2028, they'll host Gardner-Webb. Franklin spoke with the media and was asked about playing FCS schools, and he didn't beat around the bush about it being a game worth playing.
"I think every game on your schedule is worth playing," said Franklin. "Every single game on your schedule is important and obviously critical for what we're trying to do. It's not just play; it's play well. And there's also an aspect in college football that you don't have a preseason. ... They're all critical, and you better approach it the right way.''
Now, Franklin will probably catch heat for that comment from the opponents, but most other Power 4 Conference schools play FCS schools. Honestly, the history between Virginia Tech and VMI is a lot more than between most FCS programs and Virginia Tech. The Citadel is another military school that the Hokies are playing next season.
As for this week's matchup, it is very difficult to see the Hokies covering the line that it raised to 55.5 points. It honestly is. There is going to be plenty of playing time to go around, and emptying the bench is something that will likely be done early and often. With this being Franklin's first season in Blacksburg, it is a good way to start the season by working out the kinks.
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