{"id":357432,"date":"2026-07-30T11:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357432\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T11:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:28:10","slug":"2026-miami-football-early-opponent-preview-game-11-virginia-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357432\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Miami Football Early Opponent Preview, Game 11: Virginia Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the 11th edition of Miami Hurricanes<\/a> on SI’s breakdown of each team on the 2026-27 Miami Hurricanes football schedule.<\/p>\n

When James Franklin and Penn State parted ways last year, it set the wheels in motion for one of the most thrilling offseason coaching carousels in recent memory. Now, in his new role as the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies, Franklin will be tasked with managing the ACC gauntlet. <\/p>\n

By the time the Hokies and the Hurricanes meet in Coral Gables later this year, most questions about Franklin’s first year at the helm will be answered. For now, though, questions abound, meaning there’s still plenty to learn about the new-look Hokies. <\/p>\n

The Offense\"Hokies<\/p>\n

Nov 22, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes safety Zechariah Poyser (7) attempts to tackle Virginia Tech Hokies running back Marcellous Hawkins (27) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

One of Franklin’s calling cards is that his offense almost always consistently puts up points. That’s to be expected this year, too, as Franklin and his long-time offensive coordinator at Penn State, Ty Howle, looked to improve the skill positions across the board through the portal. <\/p>\n

One position that needed little improvement, though, was running back. Marcellous Hawkins<\/a> is back for another year with the Hokies following a 2025 campaign that saw him average more than six yards per carry. He’ll be paired with former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns powerback Bill Davis<\/a>, who, at 230 lbs, runs just like his name suggests. <\/p>\n

But by far the biggest boon for the Hokies will be their new man under center, Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer<\/a>. The former Nittany Lion saw significant action last season and completed 69% of his passes. With a more stable foundation, he’s expected to be the starter. However, North Carolina transfer Bryce Baker<\/a> is a redshirt freshman that the program has its eye on.<\/p>\n

The receiving corps got a much-needed overhaul. The highlighted returner is Ayden Greene,<\/a> the Hokies’ leading receiver from last year. He’ll be paired with Duke transfer Que’Sean Brown<\/a>, who hauled in nearly 850 yards last year, along with Marlion Jackson<\/a> of Louisiana Tech. Jackson is penciled in as one of the team’s premier deep threats this year. <\/p>\n

The OL will return a lot of experience. That being said, they weren’t incredibly good last year and will need to find ways to establish the run in Franklin’s offense to be successful. The skill positions are much improved, but it all starts up front for this Hokies squad. <\/p>\n

Defense\"Former<\/p>\n

Sep 13, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

By the time the Hurricanes see the Hokies make the road trip down to Miami, the verdict should be in on the Brent Pry experiment. For those who didn’t keep up with the offseason carousel, Pry was fired as the VT head coach, then rehired by Franklin and company as the defensive coordinator, meaning that Pry was essentially demoted just to bring in Franklin. <\/p>\n

It’s an odd situation, and while some believe that there will be no issues, I don’t see it unfolding that way. Any time two true head coaches are forced to share a program, things can get tense. Couple that with the possibility that the Franklin era doesn’t start off the right way, and things could get dicey. <\/p>\n

But whether Pry is around or not, having Franklin in the building will quickly enhance one part of the defense: The pass rush. You can judge Franklin all you want for how he struggled against the true upper echelon of college football, but you can’t deny that his programs simply churn out stud edge rushers. <\/p>\n

VT knew it had holes to fill on defense and went and found a plethora of transfers to get it done in time. One of whom, Keon Wylie<\/a>, came over from the LB factory that is Penn State to pair with the team’s leading tackler from 2025, Kaleb Spencer<\/a>. Together, those two are going to create problems over the middle of the field for opposing offenses. <\/p>\n

The defensive side of the ball is where Franklin has to work hardest to improve the Hokies’ staff, and even then, it probably won’t be enough to stop the Hurricanes. <\/p>\n

Schedule\"Virginia<\/p>\n

Nov 22, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback William Watson III (5) runs in for the touchdown against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

By this juncture, Miami should solely be worried about closing out the regular season 3-0 and winning the ACC title. The schedule makes it so that the lone true Top-5-ish opponent the Hurricanes should run up against will be Notre Dame, and if they handle business against Duke, beating up on a Virginia Tech team trying to make it through the first term of a new head coach shouldn’t be too much to ask. <\/p>\n

Additionally, Miami should have just come off a win against Duke in response to a Notre Dame loss, if my predictions land, and should still be carrying a chip on their shoulder as they eye the postseason. I have the ‘Canes in this one by a lot. <\/p>\n

Outlook<\/p>\n

If the Hurricanes’ only loss at this point is to a highly ranked Notre Dame team, then they should still be a lock for the conference championship. At this point, only the seeding will matter, and the Hurricanes will want to be seeded as high as possible. <\/p>\n

That means ending the season on a three-game win streak, which, given the competition, shouldn’t be too tall a task. The Hurricanes should win this one to improve their record to 10-1 on the 2026 campaign. <\/p>\n

The Game<\/p>\n

Date:\u00a0November 21
Time:\u00a0TBA
TV:\u00a0TBA
Location:\u00a0Hard Rock Stadium
Series History:\u00a0Miami leads 27-15
Last Meeting:\u00a02025<\/p>\n

The Team<\/p>\n

The Coach:\u00a0James Franklin
Offensive Coordinator:\u00a0Ty Howle
Defensive Coordinator:\u00a0Brent Pry
2025 Record:\u00a03-9
2025 Rankings:\u00a0114th Total Offense, 107th Total Defense
Players to Watch:\u00a0Ethan Grunkemeyer, QB, So.
Top Newcomer:\u00a0Que’Sean Brown, WR, Duke
Biggest Question:\u00a0Can the offense improve enough to outweigh a work in progress on defense?<\/p>\n

The School<\/p>\n

Location:\u00a0Blacksburg, VA
Founded: February 13, 1872
Enrollment:\u00a0~17,500 students
Nickname:\u00a0Hokies
Colors:\u00a0Chicago Maroon, Burnt Orange
Mascot (Symbols):\u00a0The HokieBird<\/p>\n

The Program<\/p>\n

Last Win in the Series:\u00a02019
Last ACC Title:\u00a02010
National Championships:\u00a0NA
Playoff Appearances: NA
Last missed bowl season:\u00a02025
Heisman Trophies:\u00a00<\/p>\n

The Schedule<\/p>\n

November 21, Time TBA, Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes<\/p>\n

This is the 11th story in Miami Hurricanes on SI’s\u00a0early preview series of all 12 regular-season opponents for Miami football in 2026.<\/p>\n

Follow all social media platforms to stay up to date with everything Miami Hurricanes-related:\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Youtube<\/a>, and\u00a0BlueSky<\/a>.\"\"Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a>