Reasons to Continue Watching

Saturday marked the first time in quite a while where I changed the channel on a Virginia Tech football game.

I pride myself in being able to withstand rough bouts of sports fandom. I grew up as a Washington Redskins fan, in an era where they won almost nothing. The same goes for the Baltimore Orioles, who've won one playoff series in my adult life.

We're in the Dark Ages of Virginia Tech football. It's hard to continue watching. I mean, who wants to watch a backup running back from an option offense rush for 129 yards and a touchdown (great game, Malachi Hosley)? 

If you're anything like me, Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech was deeply maddening. I couldn't take it any longer.

I could write for hours about Virginia Tech's problems, but I've done a lot of that this season. Instead, I thought I would take a stab at why fans, including myself, should continue watching. Here's what I've got.

The Team Hasn't Quit, and Neither Should You

In the modern era of college football, it's hard to keep a team engaged when the season goals you had coming into the season are now out of reach. Any realistic goal Virginia Tech had in 2025 is off the table — and that includes making a bowl game.

In the face of sheer disappointment, Virginia Tech's players have continued to battle and push forward. Even when the results haven't been there, the effort has. And with an interim coach running the show, that's an accomplishment in itself.

Once Georgia Tech took an 18-point lead in the early stages of the second quarter, Virginia Tech could've packed it up and get run off the field. Instead, the Hokies scored just before and after halftime, cutting their deficit to just one score in the third quarter. 

Yes, the Hokies were shut out from that point on, but I was still pleased to see the effort was there. Unfortunately, the talent and execution were not, which is why they ended up losing 35-20. Still, Virginia Tech has battled back multiple times this season and with a couple of middle-of-the-road teams left on the schedule, can still pick up another win or two.

The Youngin's Are Growing Up

Throughout this dreadful season, a few underclassmen have stood out amidst the choas around them. 

Let's start with true freshman linebacker Noah Chambers, who has thrust his way into the starting lineup regardless of injuries at the position. Chambers registered another five tackles on Saturday and was credited with half of a tackle for loss. In just three games, Chambers has already displayed a higher ceiling than any of the other linebackers on the roster, tackling with authority and pursuing the ball carrier effectively.

The same could be said for defensive linemen Jason Abbey and Emmet Laws, both of whom have carved out sizable roles in the rotation up front. Abbey is tied for the team-lead in sacks (two) and owns the highest rush defense grade on the team (84.3), per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Laws totaled two sacks in the season opener against South Carolina but has since cooled off, despite posting his highest PFF grade of the season on Saturday vs. the Yellow Jackets.

On offense, redshirt sophomore Ja'Ricous Hairston leads the team with three touchdown receptions. He's seen limited snaps behind Benji Gosnell, but has found a way to impact the offense. 

It's impossible to know how many, if any, of these younger players will be on the roster in 2026. A new coach will want to bring in his own guys, and these guys might get lucrative offers to play elsewhere. Still, it's nice to know there is some homegrown talent on the roster that might be able to contribute next season and beyond.

Enjoy Them While You Can

In their first (and only) seasons at Virginia Tech, both Marcellous Hawkins and Terion Stewart have been fun to watch. They're playing behind a horrendous offensive line, yet are averaging 5.7 and 7.9 yards per rush, respectively. Hawkins and Stewart have been among the best pass blockers on the team, which says just as much about them as it does the linemen up front.

Overshadowed by some of the mess has been defensive tackle Kody Huisman. The North Dakota State transfer isn't lighting up the box score, but is contributing nonetheless. Huisman's PFF grade of 81.4 leads all Hokies on defense.

Even in defeat, some of the older Hokies have played their ass off. Each of those players are in their final year of eligibility, so fans should watch them before their time is up.

(Editor's Note: Marcellous Hawkins has one year of eligibility remaining.)