Preview of the Season Opener for Vandy, Virginia Tech

© Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK

In a clash between the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference, the Virginia Tech Hokies meet the Vanderbilt Commodores at noon EST on Aug. 31 in Nashville, Tenn. This will be the 10th all-time meeting between the two teams and the first since 1989. Virginia. Tech holds a 6-3 edge in the series.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt opened the 2023 season with home wins over a Group of 5 opponent, the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors, and an FCS foe, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. However, the Commodores lost the remaining 10 games of the season.

College Football Network (CFN) rates Vanderbilt as the weakest of the SEC teams in 2024 and No. 103 out of the 134 FBS teams, below unheralded teams such as the Troy Trojans and the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Although Vanderbilt is one of the finest academic institutions in the country, its football program is a perennial bottom-dweller in the SEC. This year looks to be no different. Coach Clark Lea enters his fourth year at the helm for the Commodores, and his in-conference record is a paltry 2-22. Sports Illustrated forecasts only three victories this year for Vanderbilt, in matchups against Alcorn State, Georgia State and Ball State.

Promising quarterback Diego Pavia transferred from New Mexico State to Vandy in the offseason. He led the Aggies to a 10-win season last year and was named Conference USA offensive player of the year.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies had a disappointing season in 2023, finishing 7-6, with losses to Purdue, Rutgers and Marshall. However, they concluded the season with a victory over Tulane in the Military Bowl.

In the recently released Associated Press (AP) preseason poll, Virginia Tech landed just outside the top 25. CFN rates the Hokies' schedule as the 55th-strongest out of the 134 FBS teams.

On offense this season, the Hokies will be led by a trio of standout performers—quarterback Kyron Drones, running back Bhayshul Tuten and wide receiver Da’Quan Felton. A dual-threat QB, Drones threw for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 818 yards and 5 scores. Tuten rushed for 863 yards with 10 TDs and was also a prolific receiver in the Hokies' passing game. Felton, a graduate student, had 668 receiving yards and 8 TD receptions last year.

The Hokies' stout defense was the third-best unit in the ACC in 2023 and returns stalwart edge rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland, linebacker Keli Lawson and cornerback Dorian Strong. Additionally, defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles transferred from Duke to Va. Tech in the offseason.

Virginia Tech is favored over Vandy by 13.5 points.