Virginia Tech Football: Three Biggest Storylines for Upcoming Game vs Vanderbilt

After a fair weather opening to the season, the Hokies look to bounce back against Vanderbilt

Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Spencer (14) reacts after making a catch against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

There's a football hangover glooming over Blacksburg.

The ups and downs from the Hokies' 24-11 loss to South Carolina have left a lot of questions in the air heading into week two. The score doesn't tell the whole story of the game. This was a matchup Virginia Tech was in all the way to the end. They just couldn't get a lick of consistency going on offense. From questionable decisions to drive-halting penalties, there's plenty to leave behind in Atlanta as Brent Pry and company prepare for their home opener.

Here are the biggest storylines headed into the Hokies' matchup against the Commodores.

Earth to Drones

Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) passes over South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Shawn Murphy (7) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Sunday wasn't just challenging for Kyron Drones; it was outright forgettable. The Gamecocks' defense may be the toughest they face all year, but they were trying so hard to lose this game, and the Hokies couldn't capitalize. When Drones had a clean pocket, he looked comfortable. An ounce of pressure, however, and he became speratic.

Kyron Drones’ PFF grades vs. South Carolina:
🟢 Clean pocket: 90.3
🔴 Under pressure: 31.9

— Kolby Crawford (@kolby_crawford) September 1, 2025

PFF logged Drones with a 31.9 grade under pressure. Combine that with completing only 42.9% of his passes, the lowest amongst every game he's started, and you have a recipe for disaster. Luckily, college football is a game of short term memory. Drones have got to take better care of the ball, especially when in enemy territory. Leaving Atlanta without a touchdown will surely have the Hokies hungry for revenge in Lane Stadium. It's not time to shut down the Kyron Drones hype train, but the brakes were pumped significantly.

Defending Home Turf

Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry reacts with players after a fifty-six yard field goal against the South Carolina Gamecocks on the final play of the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Brent Pry is now 1-3 in season openers. The Hokies have also been dealt a bad hand against the SEC. Last year's opener against Vanderbilt was a spoiled last-minute comeback that sparked a Commodores team that would go on to give some of the SEC's top programs dogfights.

The Hokies are tired of being sparkplugs for other teams. The self-proclaimed Beamer Bowl is in the past. This isn't just payback for last week, it's revenge for last year. Diego Pavia became the boogeyman for teams favored to beat him in 2024. They're coming off the heels of a dominating 45-3 victory against Charleston Southern. The Hokies need to come out and humble the Commodores.

#Hokies opened as a 3-point favorite against Vanderbilt. Looks like that line has since moved to 2.5.

— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 1, 2025

They're going to try the same game plan Virginia Tech enforced on LaNorris Sellers. This is a game of counters for Vanderbilt. They're going to attempt to control the pace away from the clown once they take the lead. Drones have to push the pace without playing hero ball. A healthy backfield would also help the Hokies, but Marcellous Hawkins had some flashes in Atlanta.

This is a must-win matchup. No matter how ugly it gets, just come out on top.

The New Mayor of Sacksburg

Sam Siefkes was the MVP of week one. Teams like South Carolina are nearly impossible to silence. He did everything in his power to keep the Hokies in this game. Was manning up Nyck Harbor a great idea in the fourth? Maybe not, but they held Sellers and his explosive crew down for as long as they could.

Responding to the game-opening touchdown with a safety is the best-case scenario. Holding them to a 4-12 third-down conversion rate is even better. They finished with three sacks, with a near game-altering force fumble that South Carolina managed to fall on top of. The only critique that his unit has is form tackling.

CAUSING CHAOS 🫨@HokiesFB defense comes up with a safety!

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/nth0Ex1fox

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 31, 2025

There were some plays where the Hokies were all over the ball. Then there were plays where they looked like they were just throwing themselves at the ball carrier instead of pursuing them. Luckily, the worst example of this was on special teams, so it's not entirely Siefkes's problem to fix. The sentiment remains; the Hokies have to finish some of these missed opportunities in week two.

Siefkes had a recipe for success in Atlanta. Some complementary football should help execute a successful game plan against the Commodores.