Ultimately, it's simple: without a win against Louisville this weekend, it's basically not realistic at all. The winner in Derby City will be all-but in (Miami is the only other truly realistic option right now, but you can never rule out ACC craziness):

Interested to hear your thoughts... after three wins in the past four games (and the lone loss to a top-5 team)... how have your opinions on this team changed over the past five weeks?

Do you think the Hokies are all-but assured to go bowling, or still skeptical?

Perhaps most importantly, does it change your opinions about individual members of the coaching staff (or the fate of this staff overall) in the long-term?

Y'all know I'm always a little skeptical of PFF's grades... and this week the defensive numbers are absolutely insane. They make no sense given the comprehensive beatdown that the performance was.

From @Tyler Bannerman:

Future ACC scheduling format and first games against new conference-mates:

Hey Tim

What is the latest on Jennings? Can we expect him back this year?

One to keep a close eye on. I have a feeling VT and Duke will be the likeliest flip candidates

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crash and burn

Long way to go here and plenty of visits in his future. Talented kid worth keeping an eye on.

He told me he's doing well after passing out during his game yesterday. The abnormal heat must have played a role.

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My prediction's in the preview. Drop yours if you can get one in before kick:

Should be plenty of opportunity to spend Saturday in front of the TV with the Hokies playing on Thursday night. Let's talk about it here! Here are VT's rooting interests:

Much much more to come, of course:

It'll be a less-impressive one: that's the nature of Thursday evening games during the stretch run of the high school season. Basically only kids who have a game on Saturday or a bye this week, or are from close enough that they can get to Blacksburg and back in one night, are going to be there.

However, a group from Baltimore St. Frances Academy is planning to be there, which is a nice little boost given VT's recent struggles getting much traction at the Charm City powerhouse.

2026 S Khmari Bing:

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2028 OL Nijal Thigpen (obviously still in middle school, but headed to SFA next year). He already holds an offer:

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2026 DL/OL Kyon Hairston:

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More updates as kids drop me a note, full list when I have it.

Worth noting that he said he'll make his commitment Monday, but he tells @RivalsFriedman that he's likely to change his mind on timing:


(Honestly, I think it's better for VT if he at least waits to see if the Clemson and SC offers come, because if he commits somewhere and then those schools offer, his whole recruitment is turned upside-down. Better that he waits and makes a decision with all the information the first time around).

The program announced it late last night:

Very unfortunate, though given the way his freshman year played out (mostly unavailable due to injury, then his lead recruiter leaves), not entirely unpredictable.

With Jaylen Jones injured, there are no new redshirts burned, but a look at everyone who theoretically had one to use this year, and how they stack up against the four-game limit:

Many thanks to @hokiejoe21, @nosmada, @DennisBane, and @rawest00 for great questions!