Virginia Tech football: Could Hokies make the College Football Playoff in 2026?

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach James Franklin of the Virginia Tech Hokies walks on the field prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Lane Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) | Getty Images What a difference one year makes. One year ago, the Virginia Tech Hokies were coming off a 6-7 season, with expectations high after Tech retained most of its 2023 starters and was listed by many as a potential College Football Playoff dark horse.

Needless to say, the most exciting thing happening at Lane Stadium in 2025 was the Metallica concert last May. There were no expectations heading into 2025. There were questions about how much longer Brent Pry would keep his job.

Pry didn’t last long. After a 0-3 start, the Hokies fired Pry, installing offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery as the interim coach. Virginia Tech would finish 3-9.

For once, the Hokies received some unexpected good fortune when Penn State shockingly fired head coach James Franklin after a slow start — only months after nearly leading the Nittany Lions to the national championship. In November, it became official: the Hokies hired Franklin. The football gods were shining on Blacksburg.