1 - What do you expect Va Tech's final regular season record to be and why and what's your score prediction for this game?
My preseason expectation was for Virginia Tech to finish the 2026 season at 7-5. I've since adjusted that outlook to 8-4, with a potential 9-3 finish if the right things fall into place. There have been aspects of this team that have surprised me, both positively and negatively, but much of my increased optimism stems from how the rest of the schedule has unfolded. I still view the Miami and SMU games as losses, and I wouldn't be surprised if another toss-up game ends up in the loss column. That said, finishing 8-4 or better would represent an extremely successful first season under James Franklin, especially considering the Hokies went 3-9 last year.
Interestingly, my preseason predictions had Virginia Tech at 4-1 through the first five games, with a loss to Pittsburgh, followed by another loss to California. My outlook on this matchup has since changed given the context of the season and what I've seen from both teams. I'll take the Hokies to rebound on the road and come away with a 34-21 win over California.
2 - If VT is to continue to have a strong season, what will have to happen? And if the team falters, what do you think will have gone wrong?
I've been surprised by Virginia Tech in both positive and negative ways this season.
Offensively, the passing game and skill-position production have exceeded expectations. Ethan Grunkemeyer has been stellar, building strong connections with tight end Luke Reynolds and wide receiver Que’Sean Brown, while running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. has cemented his claim as another major weapon. The biggest concern, however, is the offensive line, which has been hit hard by injuries. The Hokies are already without four contributors: former starting left tackle Johnny Garrett, this season's starting left tackle Justin Terry, starting right guard Montavious Cunningham and backup right guard Brody Meadows.
The running game has been inconsistent, in large part because the offensive line has struggled to establish consistency and cohesion in its run-blocking responsibilities. There have been flashes of promise, but that unit will need to continue trending upward for the offense to sustain its success, particularly against tougher competition down the stretch.
Defensively, the pass rush has blown my expectations out of the water. The defensive ends entered the season as one of the more questionable position groups, and understandably so, given the lack of proven production. However, the coaching staff expressed confidence in the group throughout the offseason, and those players have delivered. Virginia Tech ranks among the nation's top five teams in sacks, turning what was a preseason question mark into a legitimate strength.
The secondary and pass defense, on the other hand, remain my biggest concerns. Whether it's been busted coverages stemming from alignment and communication issues or defensive backs losing one-on-one matchups, the Hokies have struggled to consistently limit opposing passing attacks. That area will need to improve significantly, especially with a gauntlet of talented quarterbacks still on the schedule. The pass rush has given this defense a strong foundation, but the secondary must do its part if Virginia Tech hopes to maintain its momentum and compete with the better offenses it will face in the coming weeks.
3 - What are some of the areas where the offense has improved over last season, what are some of the question marks and who are some of the most impactful players?
The passing game has been the biggest revelation. Ethan Grunkemeyer has established himself as a legitimate quarterback, displaying poise, intelligence, accuracy and decisiveness. He's also benefited from the improved talent surrounding him, with Virginia Tech's offense producing more points at a higher level of efficiency than ever before. Grunkemeyer has already recorded three 300-yard passing performances, a remarkable feat in the context of Virginia Tech's program history.
The biggest difference-makers have been tight end Luke Reynolds, running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. and wide receiver Que’Sean Brown. Reynolds has emerged as one of the top tight ends in the country in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, while his ability to line up all over the formation makes him a matchup nightmare. Overton is a dynamic, explosive running back who showcased his potential with a 200-plus-yard performance against Boston College. He's also proven capable of turning routine checkdowns and passes out of the backfield into significant gains. Brown has been equally dynamic as a punt returner and slot receiver, with his breakout performance coming against Pittsburgh, when he hauled in seven receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown.
The biggest question marks remain the offensive line and the ability to establish a consistent rushing attack. Virginia Tech has plenty of talent in its running back room, but that hasn't translated into consistent production on the ground. Against Maryland and Pittsburgh in particular, the Hokies struggled to run the football effectively, putting more of the burden on Grunkemeyer and the passing game to carry the offense. If Virginia Tech can find more consistency up front and establish a reliable ground game, it will become a much more balanced and dangerous offense moving forward.
4 - What are some of the ways the defense has improved over last year, what are some of the question marks and who are some of the most impactful players?
The pass rush and run defense have been major strengths for Virginia Tech. Defensive ends Aycen Stevens, Mylachi Williams and Cortez Harris have been exceptional, while defensive tackle Kemari Copeland has been a rock in the middle, consistently disrupting running plays and clogging up the interior. Collectively, the defensive line has performed at a high level, exceeding expectations in its ability to generate pressure and limit opposing ground games.
The linebacker unit has also shown significant improvement in consistency under Brent Pry, who has taken over as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Linebacker play has been a source of frustration for fans during my time covering Virginia Tech, but Kaleb Spencer, Noah Chambers and Keon Wylie have all impressed this season. Their improved play has been instrumental in strengthening the Hokies' run defense and complementing the defensive line's production.
The secondary, which arguably has the deepest collection of talent on the defensive side of the ball, has been the biggest disappointment so far. Cornerback Jaquez White arrived with considerable expectations as a transfer, but he hasn't consistently performed at the level of a lockdown corner. Safeties Quentin Reddish and Tyson Flowers, along with late addition DQ Smith, a transfer from South Carolina, have also had their share of inconsistent moments.
Ultimately, the biggest concern is Virginia Tech's inability to consistently prevent explosive passing plays. Even with an effective pass rush and a strong run defense, opposing quarterbacks have found opportunities to generate chunk plays through the air. If the Hokies want to take the next step defensively, the secondary must improve its communication, coverage discipline and ability to win one-on-one matchups.
5 - What are your impressions of Cal in 2026? What are you expecting to see from them after the disappointing losses to UCLA, Clemson and UNLV, underwhelming win at Syracuse?
So far, I've been… negatively surprised by California. I was extremely high on the hiring of Tosh Lupoi and the program's integration of transfer talent. I thought the Golden Bears could build on last season's emergence of JKS, but the offense appears to have taken a step backward, while the defense hasn't yet delivered the kind of performance you'd expect from a Tosh Lupoi-coached unit.
I still believe there's plenty of talent on this roster, though I do wonder whether the growing pains are a product of having two first-year coordinators and so many different voices within the program. Offensively, I think California will eventually find its rhythm, potentially even against Virginia Tech. If the Golden Bears can get things clicking on that side of the ball, they'll have a chance to remain competitive in many of their remaining games.
Defensively, however, the struggles against the run have been difficult to overlook. That's an area that needs significant improvement if California hopes to turn its season around. Overall, this looks like a team with plenty of talent but without a clear identity on either side of the ball. The Golden Bears need a breakthrough moment that brings everything together, builds confidence and gets the players fully invested in the vision of the coaching staff.
