After months of preparation and some major turnover in Blacksburg, the James Franklin era begins on Saturday night at Lane Stadium when the Virginia Tech football team kicks off the season against VMI. A lot has changed since the Hokies last walked off the field last Thanksgiving weekend in Charlottesville after a rare loss to Virginia in the Commonwealth Cup, finishing the 2025 season a disappointing 3-9.
Franklin was hired to replace his former defensive coordinator, Brent Pry, as head coach, but in a very daring move, Franklin is bringing him back to Blacksburg to be his defensive coordinator this season. If there is someone who can make this move work, it's Franklin.
VMI will come into the game with their first game already under their belt, losing 38-10 at Idaho State on Saturday. That loss saw the spread for this weekend's game climb in favor of the Hokies to well over 50 points. This will be the first of 12 games for Virginia Tech this fall and kicks off a stretch of three straight non-conference games to begin the season. Here is a guide to this weekend's kickoff against VMI.
How to watch Virginia Tech vs. VMI Week 1
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lane Stadium
- How to Watch (TV): ACC Network
- Streaming: fubo TV
- Virginia Tech record: 0-0
- VMI record: 0-1
Announcers for Virginia Tech vs. VMI
- Play-by-play: Wes Durham
- Analyst: Max Browne
- Sideline: Madison Fitzpatrick
Virginia Tech vs. VMI: odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Virginia Tech (Off)
- VMI (Off)
Spread
- Virginia Tech -54.5 (-110)
- VMI -54.5 (-110)
Total
- 61.5 (over -112/under -118)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Weather forecast in Blacksburg
Cloudy with a high of 65 degrees, a low of 59 degrees, and a chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
Virginia Tech vs. VMI series history
- All-time meetings: 79
- Virginia Tech all-time record vs. VMI: 45-29-5
- Last meeting: 10/6/1984 - 54-7 Virginia Tech
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