Overview
Record: 6-6 (4-4, 8th in Atlantic Coast Conference)
"Second-order" Record: 7.1-5.9
SP+ Overall Rank: 24th
If it feels like Virginia Tech has stagnated over the last decade and change, it's because they kind of have. Since 2012, this once prominent program has won eight or more games just three times, finishing now seven regular seasons at 6-6. Head coach Brent Pry, a former Frank Beamer graduate assistant and as Appalachian a man as they come, arrested the late slide of Justin Fuente's tenure but has subsequently only spun his wheels. His program recruits like a middle-of the road ACC team and so far plays like it.
The Hokies' stats largely justify their record, showing a little bit of talent but a fair amount of averageness and some outright problems, particularly with passing and defending the pass. While it takes some bad luck to go 0-5 in one-score games, Pry is still looking for a signature win. By the Massey Composite, the best team the Hokies beat in 2024 was No. 38 Georgia Tech.
The week after the first National Signing Day, Pry fired three coaches, including defensive coordinator Chris Marve (whom he coached at Vanderbilt). A handful of starters have announced their intentions to transfer, and others still are sitting out the bowl against Minnesota to protect their NFL Draft stock or recover from injuries. These departures may tilt what most projection systems consider a coin flip the Gophers' way.
Offense
Quarterback Kyron Drones had a difficult season, missing three games because of injuries and averaging just 7.0 yards per pass attempt. Drones looks doubtful to appear in Charlotte. Redshirt freshman William "Pop" Watson III, one of two players who filled in for Drones during the year, is the presumed starter over redshirt senior Collin Schlee.
Watson made his first meaningful college appearance against Duke, relieving an injured Schlee after a quarter. After Watson had a decent couple of drives, the Blue Devils sacked him seven times. Pressure was often immediate, but he also had opportunities to throw the ball away.
Shortly after this sack, Watson threw an interception on a quick out to the opposite sideline. He finished 12-for-25 for 146 yards.
