It’s a 1:00PM kickoff at Lane Stadium on a day with fall temperatures, the leaves turning, and an early Homecoming event.
The Effect is Orange, and so are the Uniforms
They aren’t sporting the all-orange football togs that they were in Atlanta, but
we can call these the Creamcicles… Orange jerseys, white pants, and a white helmet with bright orange stripes and an orange heavy VT on the sides.
We shall see if the mood for the uniform gets matched by the same enthusiasm demonstrated by the “new look” Hokies in Raleigh.
The team even had a bit of fun with a short about its introduction. For the unfamiliar the picture at the start is McBride Hall the building that so many Hokie grads sweated out so much class time and tests over the last 50 years.
It’s Looking Like Coach Montgomery is Ignoring that “Interim” Thing
You have to like the fire and the confidence in the answers Philip Montgomery is giving to the media, but it’s also very evident in the reaction of the locker room to his elevation to the head coaching position for the remainder of the season.
The truth is that if, and it’s a tall order “IF”, the Hokies can finish the season in good order and Montgomery and staff can stabilize the recruiting situation, it would not be surprising to see him as a major contender for being offered the job. It all remains to be seen, but the performance and energy turnaround in the program is palpable. He’s making practice changes. We saw some obvious changes to the offense on the field. Terion Stewart, was ignored by Pry (obviously a huge mistake). We are seeing more effective passing plays being introduced, and the patchwork offensive line is beginning to find purpose and unity, Johnny Garrett’s player leadership role is obvious (He was relegated to 2nd string last season, and he was demonstrably better than the starters.) We are seeing chances taken with new talent and players stepping up into roles that they were better prepared for than the former starters.
It’s actually a fresh look. The New Look 2025 Hokies and Philip Montgomery have the opportunity over the next three contests to demonstrate that they have turned a corner. Montgomery knows this, and is coaching to make it happen.
Jayson Witten is Attracting Attention for More than Football
This award, like Pro Football’s Walter Payton award is about how a young man connects with his community, demonstrating that he’s more than just a football player. Congratulations go to Tyson Flowers for being recognized as a candidate for this honor.
The Game Info
It’s supposed to be a really nice day and won’t get to the expected high temps around 77degrees until later in the game.
Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College matriculated its first class, with Addison Caldwell being forever remembered for his 26mile walk to what is now the Upper Quad. Only Lane Hall remains from the early version of the university (college at the time). Addy will forever be that barefoot teenager climbing up the steps to the quad.
Time for Staff Predictions
Bryan Manning
I am trying not to get ahead of myself here and be clouded by what I watched last week. Ultimately, nothing has changed regarding where I stand on the 2025 Hokies. This team is not making a bowl game, but all we wanted was for them to be watchable. To show some fight and make it harder for the opponents. We got that and more last week. If we see that type of fight each week, this is a team we can take pride in. Changes are coming. We are all excited about those changes. However, seven games remain; let’s win as many as possible, perhaps ruining some other seasons in the process. As for this game, I actually believe Virginia Tech will win. I think it’s another close game, but I think Tech’s ground game carries them to the win.
Hokies 27, Wake Forest 21
John Schneider
Wake isn’t as down as Game1-3 Tech was, but they certainly aren’t better than those Hokies. Now, the Game 4 Hokies? Wake Forest (2-2) might present some challenges, but even the wise guys are giving Tech a 7-point bumper in the betting gig. It’s also looking like they are expecting a relatively even game with an Over/Under of 50.5.
If the Hokies maintain their newly found momentum, they should pull this one down. Wake is not as good as NC State by any measure, but they aren’t pushovers, either. It’s going to take maximum effort to get this one into the “W” column. The danger in winning last week was self-satisfied complacency, not resignation setting in this week. From what we are seeing in the hype pieces and pressers, Coach Montgomery is well aware of that and prepping the team for it.
Hokies take this one and might even beat the spread, though maybe not the O/U.
24-14 Hokies
