I still remember the chill of last November when our Hokies fell to Liberty in that heartbreaking 41-38 overtime loss. Standing there in Lane Stadium with the cold seeping through my jacket, I couldn't help but wonder what this season would bring. Now, as we look ahead to the 2023 Virginia Tech football schedule, I'm feeling that familiar mix of excitement and nervous anticipation that only college football can bring.
Let me walk you through what promises to be an absolutely fascinating season. We kick things off on September 2nd against Old Dominion - a game that should give us a good read on this team early. Then comes the first real test on September 9th when Purdue comes to town. I've been watching their offseason moves, and something tells me this won't be the walk in the park some fans are expecting. The following week we travel to Rutgers on September 16th, and honestly, I'm already getting anxious about that road trip. There's something about playing in New Jersey that always makes me nervous.
What really got me thinking about resilience and preparation was watching the Jumpshot 3x3 tournament over the weekend. Both GILAS Pilipinas Women 3x3 and Uratex Dream fought through incredible challenges to reach the semifinals in Singapore. Seeing those athletes push through exhaustion and pressure reminded me of what our Hokies will need to do during that brutal three-game stretch against Pittsburgh, Florida State, and Louisville in October. Those games could realistically make or break our season.
Speaking of that tough October run - mark your calendars for October 14th when Pittsburgh visits Blacksburg. Last year's game still stings, and I'm betting the players remember it too. Then we host Florida State on October 21st in what I believe will be one of the most electric atmospheres at Lane Stadium this season. The following week we're at Louisville on October 28th, and given how their offense looked last season, our defense will need to be at its absolute best.
I was particularly impressed by how Uratex Dream adapted their strategy mid-tournament in Singapore, something our coaching staff would be wise to study. That kind of flexibility could be crucial when we face Syracuse on November 4th and Boston College on November 11th. Both teams have shown they can surprise you if you're not prepared.
Now, here's where I might ruffle some feathers - I think our November 18th game against NC State is being underestimated by many fans. Their quarterback development program has made significant strides, and I've heard through the grapevine that their defensive coordinator has implemented some new schemes that could cause problems. Then comes the regular season finale against Virginia on November 25th. Need I say more? This rivalry game always delivers drama, and with it potentially having bowl implications for both teams, I expect nothing less than pure intensity.
Looking at the complete picture, I count at least 8 games that could realistically go either way depending on how our young players develop. The progression of our sophomore quarterback will be particularly crucial - if he can improve his completion percentage by even 5-7 points from last season's 58.3%, that could translate to 2-3 additional wins. The defensive line needs to generate more pressure too, considering we ranked 78th nationally in sacks last year with only 24 throughout the entire season.
Watching those basketball teams in Singapore fight through adversity to reach the semifinals taught me something about sports - it's not always about being the most talented team on paper. Sometimes it's about heart, preparation, and seizing opportunities when they matter most. That's exactly what our Hokies will need to do this season, especially during that challenging mid-season stretch. I'm optimistic we can surpass last year's 6-6 record, though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about our depth at certain positions. But that's the beauty of college football - you never really know what's going to happen until those players step onto the field and write their own story.
