Virginia Tech is set to open its 2026 football season on September 5, when the Hokies travel to face VMI in a highly anticipated matchup that pits a revitalized program against a Keydets squad still searching for stability.
A New Era Under Franklin
First‑year head coach James Franklin, who previously guided Penn State to multiple Big Ten titles, has taken the reins of the Hokies and immediately left his mark by installing a dynamic offense centered around transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. Franklin’s reputation for player development and aggressive play‑calling has generated optimism that Virginia Tech can finally break its recent streak of narrow defeats in the series.
The excitement is amplified by the return of standout running back Marcellous Hawkins, who amassed 749 rushing yards last season, and defensive tackle Kemari Copeland, whose 4.5 sacks and 48 tackles made him a disruptive force in the line. Both players are expected to anchor a roster that blends veteran experience with fresh talent.
VMI, meanwhile, enters the game after consecutive 1‑11 seasons that have seen the program lose its head coach Danny Rocco to a senior analyst role at Virginia Tech and watch key contributors such as Collin Shannon move on to Murray State. The Keydets will rely on emerging receivers Noah Grevious and Owen Sweeney, but the lack of a graduate program limits their ability to bring in experienced transfers.
The game will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. ET on the ACC Network, giving fans a prime‑time glimpse of a contest that many analysts predict will end in a lopsided victory for the Hokies. Yet Franklin cautions that complacency could prove costly against a VMI team that, despite its recent record, still possesses playmakers capable of shifting momentum.