2024 Virginia Tech Season Preview (8-16-24)

By: Joey Raymond

Headline Photo Credit: Katie Lovell-LMS Network

This fall, Blacksburg, Virginia is abuzz with excitement as the Hokies prepare for what promises to be an electrifying season. With 84% of their production returning from last year—ranking fourth in the FBS—the Hokies are drawing significant national interest. The team brings back an impressive 91% of their offensive output and 77% of their defensive contributors, setting the stage for a season brimming with potential. Adding to the optimism, Virginia Tech’s schedule is favorable, although challenges and potential “trap games” remain. Let’s delve into the season ahead and explore what the Hokies are capable of achieving.

Returning Production and additions

On the defensive side, Virginia Tech boasts a formidable lineup with the return of top pass-rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who contributed 14.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season. The Hokies also bring back standout cornerbacks Dorian Strong and Mansoor Delane, enhancing their secondary’s strength. The defensive line gains a boost with the addition of veteran Duke defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, who will team up with Josh Fuga to fortify the interior. Complementing these key returnees are new arrivals such as Kemari Copeland from Iowa Western CC and Kelvin Gilliam Jr. from Oklahoma, adding depth and versatility. Furthermore, the addition of Sam Brumfield, a stout linebacker who led Middle Tennessee with 81 tackles in 2023, provides a significant boost to the linebacker corps. This blend of returning talent and impactful new additions promises to make Virginia Tech’s defense a formidable force.

Offensively, the Hokies are poised for a strong season with the return of quarterback Kyron Drones, who flourished after taking over the starting role last year. Drones ranked 19th in total QBR from Week 5 onward, finishing the season with 2,085 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, while also adding 818 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His dynamic play opened up opportunities for running back Bhayshul Tuten, who amassed 863 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Hokies also bring back a talented receiving corps, including Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, Jaylin Lane, and Ali Jennings, along with their entire offensive line. This continuity and depth set the stage for a potent and cohesive offensive attack.

Breaking it down by game

The Hokies get to welcome some awesome teams to Blacksburg and get to travel to some cool places as well this season. Let’s start with game one and work our way down.

AT Vanderbilt August 31st

The Hokies get a chance to have a hoedown in Nashville as they take on Vandy in an ACC vs SEC showdown. Vanderbilt may be considered near the bottom of the SEC in many categories, but they’re still an SEC team, and that’s never something to take lightly. However, this matchup does seem to favor the Hokies. With a new offensive coordinator and the departure of all four starting wide receivers through the transfer portal, Vanderbilt will be fielding an almost entirely new offense. New OC Tim Beck is a big fan of the option play, so expect to see a lot of that. On the other side of the ball, the Hokies have bolstered their defense, particularly against the run, which should give them an edge. While it won’t be a walk in the park, I believe the Hokies have a strong chance in this matchup.

VS Marshall, September 7th

Marshall started the 2023 season with a promising 4-0 record, but the team’s performance quickly deteriorated, managing only 2 wins in their final 9 games. This slump included a tough three-game losing streak where they were outscored 85-24. Although Marshall defeated the Hokies last season, it’s unlikely that history will repeat itself. With this game being the Hokies’ home opener and a sellout crowd in Blacksburg, they have a strong advantage. Marshall, having lost significant talent on both sides of the ball, will field a relatively inexperienced team. I expect the Hokies to seize the opportunity and come out on top.

AT Old Dominion September 14th

In year one for Brent Pry, the only words that I can use to describe this game were “complete disaster”, in year two we saw a much better result. Now, they head back to Norfolk to face Old Dominion. The Monarchs were competitive in 2023, but they frequently found themselves in situations where they had to play flawlessly. Of ODU’s 13 games, 11 were decided by one score, with five ending in losses. However, their offense was abysmal. In terms of yards per game, only ULM had a worse offense in the Sun Belt than Old Dominion, averaging just 348.3 yards. Their pass protection was even more concerning, with the Monarchs allowing 62 sacks, the worst in FBS, averaging nearly five per game. Coupled with an inexperienced defense, I’d think it’s safe to believe the Hokies should come out of Norfolk with a win.

VS Rutgers September 21st

Rutgers is another team that defeated the Hokies last year, and they present an intriguing challenge. I believe they could very well hand the Hokies their first loss of the season. However, it’s worth noting that Rutgers faced the Hokies at an opportune time last year—when Drones had just taken over, and the team was still finding its identity. Rutgers is a tough, physical team with solid coaching. The battle in the middle of the Rutgers defense will be one to watch, as their defense consistently keeps them competitive. Last season, Rutgers ranked 16th in the nation in overall defense, allowing just 21 points per game, all while having the weakest pass rush in the Big Ten. Ultimately, this game will come down to which defense can best contain the opposing offense. With this matchup being a toss-up, I have to give the edge to the home team.

AT Miami September 27th

This is the first opponent that truly concerns me. The currently ranked Miami Hurricanes had a highly productive offseason in the transfer portal, raising expectations as head coach Mario Cristobal enters his third season at his alma mater. Miami’s offense will be spearheaded by Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, an elite talent in his fifth and final collegiate season. The offensive line looks formidable, anchored by Freshman All-American Francis Mauigoa at right tackle and NFL prospect Jalen Rivers at left tackle. The receiving corps, led by slot standout Xavier Restrepo, is deeper and more robust, though the tight ends underperformed last season. With this being a Miami home game, it will be tough for the Hokies to build momentum. Realistically, the Hokies’ best chance for a win is if Miami makes significant coaching errors, which isn’t out of the question given what’s happened in the past. *cough* Georgia Tech. However, I see this as the likely spot for the Hokies’ first loss of the year.

AT Stanford October 5th

One of the ACC’s newest members from the Pac-12 is the Stanford Cardinal, a team currently in the “hoping-for-improvement” phase, which means more growing pains are likely. The 2023 season marked the beginning of a full-scale rebuild for Stanford under head coach Troy Taylor, following a roster depleted by the transfer portal after 2022. The biggest question mark lies with the offensive line. If the line improves, Taylor’s playbook can truly open up, but last season they allowed 41 sacks and ranked No. 103 in rushing with just 3.5 yards per carry. Without improvement, it won’t matter who’s throwing to top targets like Ayomanor or his running mate Tiger Bachmeier. The biggest challenge for the Hokies in this matchup will be the cross-country travel, which is never easy. Despite this, with Stanford still amid a rebuild, it’s tough to predict the outcome, but based on what we’ve seen so far, I’m leaning toward the Hokies.

VS Boston College October 17th

Understandably, expectations are modest in Bill O’Brien’s first season as head coach, especially given the tough situation he inherited, particularly on defense. Last season, BC’s defense struggled mightily in the red zone, with opposing teams scoring almost at will, and there haven’t been any major additions to suggest a dramatic improvement. However, this is a Thursday night in Blacksburg, and anyone who’s experienced it knows there’s nothing quite like it. With Thomas Castellanos now fully settled and comfortable in the offense, BC could pose some challenges, but that Thursday night crowd at Lane Stadium? I think it will be too much for BC to handle. I’ll take the Hokies in this one.

VS Georgia Tech October 26th

Homecoming in Blacksburg is always a special occasion, and this year should be no different. Georgia Tech has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about defying the skeptics this season. They return star quarterback Haynes King, leading rusher Jamal Haynes, four of their five starting offensive linemen, and a deep, experienced receiving corps. Coach Brent Key has also revamped the defense with an almost entirely new coaching staff and a wave of transfers to enhance depth and talent. This matchup promises to be a good one, as both teams are evenly matched. It’s the kind of game that could go either way, likely coming down to who makes the first big stop. In close contests like this, I give the edge to the home team. However, don’t be surprised if the Yellow Jackets gain momentum and upset the Hokies.

AT Syracuse November 2nd

Ah yes, the notorious trap game for the Hokies—heading up to the dome to face Syracuse. Even though they haven’t played there often, it seems like every time they do, they lose. The last time the Hokies won in Syracuse was back in 2000 with Michael Vick leading the charge. Granted, they’ve only made a handful of trips since then, but the pattern is hard to ignore. With a new coach at the helm, it’ll be interesting to see how Syracuse performs this season. Are they ready to compete now, or will this be a rebuilding year? Last year, the Orange averaged just 343 yards and 23.5 points per game. Their offense was hit-or-miss—they won when it clicked and lost when it didn’t. If that trend continues, the Hokies will hope to catch Syracuse on an off day. On paper, this is a game the Hokies should win, but history suggests otherwise. That said, I believe the Hokies can defy the odds and come away with a win in Syracuse.

VS Clemson November 9th

Arguably the toughest opponent on the schedule, Dabo Swinney and his Clemson squad are set to visit Blacksburg to face the Hokies. In a weekend already packed with marquee matchups, the ideal scenario would be for the Hokies to enter this game undefeated or with just one loss. While Clemson’s once-stable coaching staff has seen some changes, that’s to be expected. Dabo Swinney’s reluctance to heavily use the transfer portal has sometimes left the team looking like it’s just one cornerback or a couple of dynamic receivers short of taking the next step. Make no mistake, though—this Clemson team is a contender. With players like quarterback Cade Klubnik, leading receiver Tyler Brown returning after 52 catches, and TE Jake Briningstool as one of the ACC’s top midrange threats, Clemson is formidable. This could be the most electric atmosphere Lane Stadium sees all year, but the real question is whether the Hokies can match that intensity. While I think Clemson will eke out a win, expect the Hokies to put up a strong fight at home.

AT Duke November 23rd

For Duke to secure a third consecutive winning season, new head coach Manny Diaz will need to work wonders with a defense that has lost significant production from last year. The offense has the potential to be strong, with proven skill players in the lineup, but that hinges on whether the offensive line can gel—a big question mark given the turnover up front. Despite the losses, Duke still boasts plenty of talent. Running back Jaquez Moore, who racked up 674 yards and six touchdowns last season, returns, as does wide receiver Jordan Moore, who had a standout junior season with 62 catches for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. The addition of Old Dominion transfer Javon Harvey at receiver also boosts their offense. However, this season is likely to be a rebuilding year for the Blue Devils, and they don’t seem as formidable as they were last season or the year before. When the Hokies head to Durham, they should be able to secure a solid ACC win.

VS Virginia November 30th

The game every football fan in Virginia eagerly awaits: UVA vs. VT. I’m looking forward to it, especially after enduring last season’s 30-degree “sprinkler bath.” As a fan, I hope the Hokies dominate like they did last year, but as a writer and analyst, it’s never that simple to predict a win against a rival.
Virginia football has been through a tough stretch. Bronco Mendenhall took some time to get the program on track, eventually leading them to three bowl appearances with an exciting style of play. Then he left, and Tony Elliott stepped in, only to face unimaginable tragedy. The 2022 season was cut short after three players were tragically killed in a shooting, understandably shifting the focus away from football.
Despite last year’s challenges, the Cavaliers return a roster full of veterans and have bolstered their ranks with transfer talent. While their 2022 season was disappointing, with four of their nine losses coming by three points or fewer—and another by seven—they might not be as far off as their record suggests. This season will be a real test for Tony Elliott.

Do I think Virginia could pull off a win against the Hokies? Sure, it’s possible. However, with the game being at Lane Stadium and Brent Pry taking this rivalry incredibly personally, I don’t see UVA coming out on top.