Nobody said it would be easy for Virginia Tech football in 2024, but the Hokies continue to make things harder for themselves. After bouncing back from an opening loss to Vanderbilt with wins over Marshall and Old Dominion, the team faced its toughest challenge of the season Saturday, when Rutgers came to Blacksburg. In a tightly contested match, a late field goal by the Scarlet Knights sealed a 26-23 defeat for the Hokies, dropping their record to 2-2.

Here are three critical red flags from the game as Virginia Tech looks ahead to a challenging ACC schedule.

1. Slow Starts Are Becoming a Pattern

Virginia Tech’s struggles to start strong have been a persistent issue, and Saturday was no different. After falling behind early in their opening loss to Vanderbilt and overcoming sluggish beginnings in wins over Marshall and ODU, the Hokies once again found themselves in an early hole against Rutgers.

Down 14-0 before mounting a fourth-quarter comeback, the Hokies tied the game but couldn’t hold on for the win. The slow starts are no longer an anomaly; they’re a trend. If Virginia Tech doesn’t find a way to fix this issue, their eight-game ACC schedule could feel very long.

2. Rutgers Outmuscled Virginia Tech

In the lead-up to the game, head coach Brent Pry emphasized that his team was prepared for Rutgers’ physicality. But it became clear that the Hokies were outmatched in the trenches. The Scarlet Knights’ offensive line dominated, pushing around the Hokies’ defense, while Virginia Tech’s offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Kyron Drones.

The Hokies’ failure to address their offensive line woes in the offseason, despite taking advantage of the transfer portal, is now backfiring. Rutgers showed a level of physicality that Virginia Tech simply couldn’t match, exposing a weakness that must be addressed if they hope to compete in the ACC.

3. Offensive Play-Calling Raises Questions

Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen has faced criticism for his inconsistent play-calling through the first month of the season. Against Rutgers, those questions resurfaced. Even when the Hokies found something that worked, they quickly moved away from it, leaving many fans and analysts scratching their heads.

Late in the game, with three timeouts and just under two minutes left, the Hokies needed only a field goal to force overtime. But instead of putting the ball in the hands of playmaker Bhayshul Tuten, they struggled to find rhythm, ultimately failing to give their reliable kicker a chance to tie the game. Bowen’s decisions are undermining the confidence of quarterback Kyron Drones and hindering the team’s ability to execute under pressure.

What’s Next for the Hokies?

If Virginia Tech can’t fix these recurring issues, they could be in for a tough ACC campaign. The Hokies are a team with potential, but the slow starts, lack of physicality, and questionable play-calling must be addressed immediately. With eight conference games ahead, the road only gets tougher from here.