Main Story: After a 51-28 loss to SMU, Virginia Tech coach James Franklin took responsibility for the team’s performance and said the Hokies are focused on correcting ongoing issues. Stanford visits sold-out Lane Stadium Saturday, giving Tech a chance to respond against a passing attack Franklin called sophisticated and led by an experienced quarterback.

By the Numbers
  • Virginia Tech lost to SMU, 51-28.
  • Kickoff against Stanford is Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Yes, But

Franklin said the SMU loss fell short of the program’s standards, while cautioning that one poor performance should not erase the team’s progress. Players said communication and resilience are improving, but the defense still needs to attack its gaps faster.

State of Play
  • Stanford brings a veteran quarterback, NFL-experienced staff and a passing system designed to exploit defensive coverage.
  • Virginia Tech is working to address season-long issues ahead of its home game.
  • The matchup will be played at sold-out Lane Stadium and shown on the ACC Network.
What's Next

The Hokies host Stanford Saturday, then have another home opportunity against Virginia. Franklin’s immediate focus is preparing for Stanford’s passing game and turning the SMU loss into a stronger performance.

Bottom Line

Virginia Tech’s response—not its frustration over the SMU result—will define the week. The Stanford game tests whether the Hokies can fix defensive communication and execution against a capable passing offense.