Virginia Tech Hokies Chicken Out Versus JMU

Whether Hokies fans want to admit it or not, the abovementioned score has been an annoyance for Virginia Tech within the Commonwealth for nearly two decades now. The last time these two schools met back in 2010, as one would expect, their reputations were significantly different. JMU was representing the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), six years removed from their 2004 I-AA national championship title versus the Montana Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the No. 13-ranked Hokies had a talented roster entering that season. They would eventually go on to win the 2010 ACC Championship, as well as earn a spot in the Orange Bowl.

Coming into the game, the perception was that Virginia Tech would easily handle the smaller Commonwealth program, which finished its 2009 campaign with a meager record of 6-5 (4-4 CAA). Fate had different plans, however, as the Hokies ultimately became the unwanted subjects of Harrisonburg, Virginia’s two favorite numbers: 21-16.

Led by quarterback Drew Dudzik, the Dukes stunned the then-Tyrod Taylor-led Hokies to win one of their most prolific victories in program history. James Madison featured a bend-don’t-break defense that earned three turnovers on the day, as well as an effectively consistent offense. The Dukes stunned Virginia Tech on its own turf and handed them arguably their greatest-ever upset loss. To this day, Hokies fans have to watch their tongues when discussing college football around their JMU colleagues. Even though it’s been 15 years, Dukes fans still haven’t forgotten.

James Madison Suffers From Virginia Tech’s Bailout

On December 16, 2025, the ACC announced a new conference schedule format that adjusted the guidelines for Virginia Tech’s 2026 lineup. Entering the new season, the Hokies are one of the conference’s 12 programs now required to play nine in-conference games. They also must face one Power Four non-conference opponent within their annual 12-game lineup. Originally, aside from their ACC competition and JMU, the Hokies were also scheduled to play the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Keydets, the Old Dominion (ODU) Monarchs, and the Terps.

Virginia Tech and Old Dominion renegotiated their schedule agreements in July 2025, which effectively cancelled previously arranged games between Tech and ODU from 2027 to 2029, as well as in 2031. Their scheduled matchup for the 2026 season remained. With their matchup against Maryland already established, this rounded out Virginia Tech’s schedule to 13 games — nine ACC, one Power Four, their in-state rivalry with the Monarchs, and two nonconference. With one too many games suddenly remaining, the Hokies were forced to cut one of two teams from their 2026 campaign — VMI of the FCS or Group of Five powerhouse JMU.

Bouncing the Dukes from its schedule and sending them $800,000 in hush money probably won’t help portray the image of “ambition” that Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock claimed the university upholds. It also, perhaps unfairly, doesn’t help shape Franklin’s image as a strong one moving forward as the Hokies’ new skipper. Tech had the opportunity to avenge one of its most marquis losses in school history, but opted to play the 1-11 FCS school instead. This was never going to look good — excuses be damned. For many JMU fans, ACC rescheduling is just the latest one of many.

The matchup in 2025 never happened, and now with 2026’s game being cancelled, Dukes fans can’t help but feel like the Hokies’ latest cop-out is just that. It’s their biggest excuse to avoid the long-anticipated matchup 16 years in the making, but backed up by the ACC this time, giving it “credibility.” Additionally, it’s not just for further in-state bragging rights that James Madison fans are miffed about the latest change to their 2026 campaign.

With Virginia Tech off its 2026 schedule, JMU is now faced with a new problem it actively worked to avoid — the school’s glaring lack of a game versus a Power Four team. Many were quick to criticize the Dukes’ inclusion in the 2025 College Football Playoff due to their lone regular-season loss coming from the Louisville Cardinals. Despite this, JMU was at least able to claim that they competed respectfully with a Power Four opponent in 2025. The 2026 Dukes already won’t be able to say even that, and a champion for the 2025 season hasn’t even been crowned yet.

Image Is Everything?

Does Virginia Tech have the right to play an FCS team for an easy win to start the Franklin era off on the right foot? Yes. Are college football fans also allowed to judge them for possibly bailing out against a significantly better opponent? Also yes. Can JMU fans claim Virginia Tech is still dodging them all these years later? Definitely. In a situation like this, unfortunately, there is no winner.

Remember, the top five conference champions earn their automatic bid into the CFP — the Dukes know this all too well. The ACC (as we saw with the Duke Blue Devils winning the conference), however, values a team’s conference record more than its overall record. Why schedule James Madison, therefore, when the nonconference games don’t mean anything? Why possibly inflict harm on your program’s image by risking defeat again to the neighboring Sun Belt Champions? Instead, you can play the nearby FCS school instead with no damage to your CFP odds.

All Virginia Tech has to do is make it to the ACC Championship! So long as the Hokies make it in the CFP at all, who cares where they’re seeded? Conversely, it can be argued that the Dukes are essentially getting punished for merely being competitive by a school that is both trying to start its attractive next chapter while seemingly lacking a spine. Virginia Tech hasn’t rescheduled a rematch after a decade and a half. It’s hard, therefore, to promote overall strength as a program while continuously being intimidated by the G5 school just 138 miles away.

This is where the Hokies’ credibility may take a hit. It will not be just in the eyes of the media, college football fans, and those on the CFP Committee come December, but also in potential prospects. It’s an institution that has backed out against greater competition to settle and potentially earn easier, less impactful victories. That may end relationships with aspiring high-level talent before the first phone call is even made. Ultimately, if the end goal to be achieved at Virginia Tech is perceived to be just doing the bare minimum, the program will go nowhere.

End Of My Virgina Tech Hokies Rant

Back in Harrisonburg, it’s a shame to say that James Madison’s 2026 season ended before it started, but that’s exactly what’s happened, courtesy of Virginia Tech. Even if new head coach Billy Napier has a successful first year in Harrisonburg, Dukes fans may still be left wondering, “Well, that was good, but how would we fare against better competition?” Unfortunately, the CFP Committee will be asking the same thing.

James Madison fans should, sadly, get excited for the pinnacle of their season possibly being a spot in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, as compared to competing for the CFP again. The Hokies may grow a pair again someday. Until then, Dukes fans at least still have those two locally famous numbers to use as a trump card for any interactions involving Virginia Tech Football – “21-16.” The ball is still in the Hokies’ court to schedule the rematch and shut JMU fans up. Based on the decisions being made by their Athletics Department, that day isn’t coming any time soon.