If there was one team in desperate need of a bye in 2025, it's the Virginia Tech football team. There has been no shortage of storylines on what seems like a daily basis for the Hokies this year. From firing Brent Pry last month after just three games, to interim coach Philip Montgomery leading them to a road upset, to players entering the portal after Pry's dismissal.
Five games are remaining in the season, and at 2-5, they are not going to go to a bowl game for the first time in two years. They are still eligible to become bowl-eligible, but if you have been paying attention, good luck finding one more win this year, never mind four out of five. As Virginia Tech enjoys its first of two byes this season, here is the good, bad, and ugly through the first seven games.
Virginia Tech Good: Players playing hard for Philip Montgomery
Things could have gone one of two ways after Pry was fired: continue south for the rest of the season, or things change and head in the opposite direction. The latter happened under Montgomery, who led the Hokies to wins over Wofford and North Carolina State. It was refreshing for two weeks and two wins.
Losses to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech have followed those two wins, but in both losses, the players were playing hard from the first play until the last one. The loss to the Demon Deacons was frustrating, but despite the frustration, the players played hard for the entire game.
Virginia Tech Bad: Injuries and undisciplined football
One thing that happened before a Pry was fired and has continued has been the number of injuries that have piled up. Injuries happen to every team every year, it's nothing new, but for a roster that is rather light because of the Transfer Portal, the injuries don't help.
As for undisciplined football, that was on display in the loss to Wake Forest, where two Demon Deacon drives that were facing a fourth-and-long were extended for a pair of unnecessary personal foul penalties. Wake turned them into touchdowns, of course, and won by seven points. Think Montgomery would want those 14 points back.
To compound matters, facing a fourth-and-goal from inside the 5-yard line with a chance to tie the game, a personal foul penalty moved the ball back 15 yards, and the Hokies had to settle for a field goal. Penalties hurt them at Georgia Tech, too.
Virginia Tech Ugly: First three games of 2025
You never want to see someone lose their job, but moving on from Pry was needed. He got another chance after last year's disappointing season, but the first three games were nothing short of a disaster.
It began Week 1 against South Carolina in Atlanta, where the Hokies lost a very winnable game. One Week later, at home against Vanderbilt. Leading 20-10 at halftime, Virginia Tech was completely dominated at home over the final 30 minutes, which was incredible to watch. One week later, a 45-26 home loss to Old Dominion was the final straw.
The Hokies looked unprepared, unmotivated, and really looked like they quit on Pry. Nobody will admit it, but body and language, and effort spoke volumes before Pry was fired and after. Here's hoping Virginia Tech is competitive over the final five games before major changes occur.