The Virginia Tech Hokies are looking for a way back to the top of the ACC. The last time the Hokies won their division in the ACC to play for a conference title was back in 2016, though, and head coach Brent Pry has struggled to build consistent success in his previous three seasons with […]
The Virginia Tech Hokies are looking for a way back to the top of the ACC. The last time the Hokies won their division in the ACC to play for a conference title was back in 2016, though, and head coach Brent Pry has struggled to build consistent success in his previous three seasons with the program.
In his first three seasons at Virginia Tech, the Hokies have gone just 16-21 under Brent Pry. That does include going to bowl games in the last two seasons. However, the most wins they’ve managed in any individual season was seven in 2023. There’s no way around that it has been a disappointment in regards to wins and losses, particularly in 2024.
Ahead of what looks like a pivotal season for Virginia Tech, college football expert Phil Steele released his annual digital magazine. In it, he previewed every team in the country. That, of course, included the Hokies, who Steele dove into on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. With that in mind, here’s what Steele thinks of Virginia Tech:
Offense
In 2024, Virginia Tech was 67th in scoring offense, averaging 28.2 points per game. Following that, then-offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen left to be the offensive line coach at Ohio State. That forced Brent Pry back to the drawing board, landing on Philip Montgomery, a longtime head coach at Tulsa who most recently was in the UFL.
“My computer called for a jump to 35 ppg,” Steele wrote “But they fell short with just 28.2 ppg. This year they lose 4 OL, their top RB and top 4 receivers but new OC Montgomery could have them improve.”
Defense
Virginia Tech had the 39th-ranked scoring defense last season, giving up just 22.8 points per game. However, amid that frustrating season, then-defensive coordinator Chris Marve was fired, along with several other assistants. He’s been replaced by Sam Siefkes, and with several portal players, there is some reason to be excited here.
“Last year my computer called for them to allow 328.2,” Steele wrote. “Which they did not match, allowing 363 ypg but they only allowed 22.8 ppg (comp 25.6 ppg). This year they hit the portal hard and have a new DC.”
Forecast
Virginia Tech has been struggling to win close games, which can be a sign of good things to come in some instances. The hope is that the reworked coaching staff under Brent Pry fixes that gap. If that does work out, then there’s no reason why Virginia Tech can’t improve. There are just some questions there still.
“VT had 5 Net Close Losses and -4 Net Upsets, both signs pointing up. While they drop to 12 returning starts this is Pry’s best team and they have come into the year under the radar,” Steele wrote. “But make my Most Improved List and will make some noise in the ACC and top last year’s win total.”
Category: General Sports
