The Season has arrived. It is finally time for Brent Pry's debut as Virginia Tech Head Coach.

On Friday evening, the Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0) and the Old Dominion Monarchs (0-0) will face-off in the season-opener at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. The game will kick-off at 7 P.M. EST and the broadcast can be found on ESPNU.

Ahead of the contest, VTSCOOP’s EvanGWatkins, Doug Bowman, Andrew Alix and Matej Sis put together their predictions for the game.

The wait is over . Virginia Tech football is upon us with the season opener now just a day away . It is a new era for Virginia Tech football and it all begins on Friday night with a trip to Norfolk to play Old Dominion . The Monarchs will try to replicate their big win over the Hokies a few years ago while Virginia Tech will try to start the season off on the right foot with a win . On offense, Virginia Tech will try to establish the run but they will be without Malachi Thomas, the projected starter . Can Jalen Holston, Keshawn King, Chance Black, or Bryce Duke set the tempo of the game on the ground and allow Wells the opportunity to run some play action for big play potential? A strong run game will likely dictate the Virginia Tech offense . For the Monarchs, they will rely heavily on Blake Watson on the ground while Zack Kuntz and Ali Jennings will be the main targets in the air . This game won’t be a cakewalk for Virginia Tech. There will be a lot of emotions in the air and the familiarity between Brent Pry and Ricky Rahne (who both coached under James Franklin at Penn State) could make this game tighter than it looks on paper . In the end, I have Virginia Tech winning this one with a fourth quarter touchdown to run away with it.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 17

Perhaps the hardest prediction of the year. We really don't know what Virginia Tech will look like until the game starts at 7PM. It feels weird predicting a limited offense without the services of Malachi Thomas to put up more than 20-points, but I do think there's a way. I think Grant Wells will have a solid performance with Nick Gallo and Da'Wain Lofton the standouts at receiver on the night. On the ground, it will have to be a combination of the hobbled Jalen Holston, Keshawn King and Chance Black. I'm really high on Black and think it's not crazy to see him have the most output on the ground Friday night.

Defensively, I feel pretty good about Virginia Tech against Old Dominion, especially in the secondary. I think the refined look at Linebacker will bring more consistency to the run defense. I only really question how consistently the Virginia Tech defensive line will make a big play behind the line of scrimmage. Third down defense will be the key area to watch.

Overall, I think it'll be far from comfortable, but a win to start building from. I don't think most teams going through coaching and schematic changes ever look like a well-oiled-machine in Week One, so I'm fully expecting some sloppiness and awkwardness throughout the night.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Old Dominion 16

I think Old Dominion has enough talent and the Hokies have enough uncertainty for this to be a close one. For me, it’s all about the start of the game and Virginia Tech’s ability to get pressure on Hayden Wolff. I don’t think it happens consistently, so I’ve got a game that remains pretty close throughout and forces some elevated heart rates in Hokie Nation. That said, I think Tech’s ability to win the OL/DL battle gives them enough offense to notch win number one of the Brent Pry era.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Old Dominion 23

Virginia Tech football is back! With it, comes the crippling anxiety that you get in the lead up to a non-power five opponent from the Commonwealth of Virginia. A young team with no shortage of inexperienced players and a coaching staff that has never coached a game together before has to go on the road to face an in-state opponent for whom this game will essentially be their Super Bowl. What could possibly go wrong?

Despite of all it, the Hokies have the more talented roster top down, and should be able to dominate in the trenches with a fully healthy group to start the season. Old Dominion has some weapons offensively, but I trust Virginia Tech’s veteran defensive group can keep them under control. I think this game will play out similarly to last year’s matchup with Middle Tennessee. Ugly and frustrating at the outset, but Tech can pull away and win at least somewhat comfortably in the end. Wins against Old Dominion are apparently not guaranteed, so if Brent Pry can start off his tenure at Virginia Tech 1-0, the dawn of a new era will bring good feelings for fans, coaches, and players both past and present.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Old Dominion 17

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