Behind Enemy Lines: Virginia Tech edition

19 hours ago

5 min read

Maryland football is nearly 48 hours away from closing the 2026 non-conference slate when they welcome Virginia Tech to SECU Stadium for a 7:30 PM kickoff on FS1. Maryland remains a 2.5-point underdog, per DraftKings, with a chance to win three consecutive meetings against the Hokies since pulling off consecutive wins in 1949, 1950 then 1990. But what is needed in order for Maryland to be the team to secure the 3-0 start? To learn more, I connected with Thomas Hughes from Virginia Tech Sports Illustrated to dive into the matchup:

IBG: since James Franklin arrived and Brent Pry decided to come back as the defensive coordinator after being fired as the head coach, how has the dynamic between the two coaches been?

VTSI: Honestly, it’s started about as seamlessly as I thought it could. Through two games, Virginia Tech’s defensive line has anchored the Hokies, and they’ve been dominant in the trenches on that side of the ball to start this season. While coverage from the corners has proven occasionally leaky, Virginia Tech’s front has rendered it a moot point, at least through the first two weeks of competition. That’s where I think the Franklin-Pry dynamic has worked particularly well. Franklin has largely allowed Pry to handle the defense while putting his own stamp on the program as a whole, and the early returns have been encouraging. Virginia Tech has played aggressively up front, creating negative plays before opposing offenses can settle in. There obviously hasn’t been much adversity yet, either. VMI and Old Dominion aren’t going to tell us everything about how this arrangement will work once Virginia Tech gets deeper into its schedule. But through two weeks, there doesn't appear to be any friction. Pry has been able to focus on a defense that looks considerably more disruptive.

IBG: Early in the season, it can be easy for fans to have mistakes go unnoticed when you play teams with significantly less talent. Franklin has always been a coach that preaches the importance of small details. What are some mistakes that the Hokies have made through the first two weeks that they will need to clean up if they want to get out of College Park with a win? Additionally, what have the Hokies done well that they will need to maintain heading into this week 3 matchup?

VTSI: As I mentioned above, Virginia Tech’s corner coverage has left a bit to be desired. ODU’s Quinn Henicle completed four deep-ball passes against the Hokies last Saturday, though one was a catch exacerbated by a defensive pass interference call on corner Jaquez White. That’s probably the biggest area I’m watching as the level of competition begins to increase, especially if opposing quarterbacks are given opportunities to test Virginia Tech vertically.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the defensive ends, however — particularly by Aycen Stevens and Mylachi Williams. Williams totaled 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles against the Monarchs, while Stevens finished with a 91.2 overall grade on Pro Football Focus. That production off the edge has helped mask some of the mistakes on the back end because opposing quarterbacks simply haven’t had much time to let plays develop.

IBG: Tech’s run game flourished in week one where they ran for 268 yards ( 6.7 YPC) against VMI. It was highlighted by a breakout game for Jeffery Overton Jr. where he accounted for 104 rushing yards (11.6 YPC). That was not the case against Old Dominion in week 2 where they struggled mightily in the run game averaging only 2.1 YPC. Why was there such a difference between the two games, and how do you expect Franklin to get the run going again against a talented Maryland d-line?

VTSI: I think it honestly depends on the blocking up front. Both Jeffrey Overton Jr. and Marcellous Hawkins have shown that they can get into open space and create something when given enough of a lane to run through. The two have combined for six touchdowns this year, and for either to consistently succeed against Maryland, the offensive line will need to win its matchups at the point of attack. Virginia Tech averaged just 2.1 yards per carry against Old Dominion, so there’s clearly room for improvement despite the overall success of the offense.

I’d also expect Virginia Tech to find different ways to manufacture opportunities rather than repeatedly attacking the interior. Getting Hawkins and Overton Jr. to the perimeter, using motion and allowing Ethan Grunkemeyer to keep Maryland honest through the air could prevent the Terrapins from loading up against the run. I think it’s mostly a matter of staying ahead of the chains and avoiding obvious passing situations if possible.

IBG: Luke Reynolds came into the season with high expectations after he followed James Franklin to Blacksburg from Penn State. How well has Reynolds met those expectations so far and how has the connection between him and quarterback Ethan Grunkenmeyer looked thus far?

VTSI: It’s helpful that Virginia Tech has run more multi-TE personnel, which has enabled Reynolds to function almost like a giant-sized wideout from the slot position. He’s malleable enough to move around the formation, whether that means lining up in the slot, going in-line or functioning as a more traditional blocking tight end. Both his size and athleticism create matchup problems, particularly against linebackers who may have difficulty staying with him in coverage and defensive backs who give up considerable size. That versatility has allowed Virginia Tech to keep Reynolds involved without making the offense predictable based on where he lines up. He’s given Ethan Grunkemeyer a big target over the middle of the field and another option who can create yards after the catch rather than simply operating as a safety valve.

IBG: score prediction & why

VTSI: Virginia Tech 34, Maryland 27. I think the Hokies have enough to outlast and outgun the Terrapins, though this one isn’t a cinch by any means. Malik Washington looks to be a cut better than he was last year, though how much of that is down to the caliber of competition should receive a better answer in Saturday’s affair. Maryland has enough offensive firepower to test a Virginia Tech secondary that has shown some vulnerability through two weeks, particularly on deep throws. Still, I believe that the Hokies’ defensive front will create enough disruption to swing a couple of possessions in their favor. If Virginia Tech can establish more of a running game than it did against Old Dominion and continue getting efficient play from Ethan Grunkemeyer, I think the Hokies have enough offensively to keep pace. I think Maryland will hang around into the fourth quarter, but Virginia Tech has enough to move to 3-0.

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