Virginia Tech is back at Lane Stadium this weekend, and the Hokies will be looking to build on one of the most dominant performances of the opening week.
The Hokies will host Old Dominion on Saturday at noon ET in a matchup that carries plenty of intrigue. Virginia Tech opened the 2026 season with a statement, crushing VMI 73-3 in James Franklin’s first game as the program’s head coach.
Now, the competition gets tougher.
Franklin’s First Home Test
Saturday will be Franklin’s first home game at Lane Stadium as Virginia Tech’s head coach, giving Hokie fans their first opportunity to see the new era begin in Blacksburg.
The 73-point performance against VMI provided plenty of optimism. Virginia Tech dominated from the opening kickoff and never allowed the Keydets to make the game competitive.
However, Old Dominion represents a much different challenge.
The Monarchs have plenty of familiarity with Virginia Tech, and in-state matchups can bring an entirely different level of intensity. The Hokies cannot afford to overlook an opponent that would love nothing more than to ruin Franklin’s first home game.
Can Virginia Tech Keep The Offense Rolling?
After putting up 73 points in Week 1, the biggest question will be whether Virginia Tech can maintain that offensive rhythm.
The Hokies should look to establish the run early and avoid giving Old Dominion opportunities to hang around. If Virginia Tech can control the line of scrimmage, it could once again put together a productive afternoon.
More importantly, this game gives Franklin and his coaching staff another opportunity to evaluate the roster before the schedule becomes significantly more difficult.
The Real Challenge Is Coming
While Old Dominion is the immediate focus, Virginia Tech knows the schedule is about to get much tougher.
Following Saturday’s game, the Hokies travel to Maryland on Sept. 19 before visiting Boston College the following week.
That makes this matchup important. Virginia Tech needs to continue building confidence and momentum before entering ACC play.
A convincing win would give Franklin and the Hokies exactly what they want heading into the Maryland game: another dominant performance, another victory and plenty of momentum.
The Hokies should be favored at home, but Old Dominion has the opportunity to make this much more interesting than last week’s matchup. If Virginia Tech plays to its potential, however, Franklin should leave Lane Stadium with his second victory as head coach.
