There are less than 100 days until the start of the 2024 college football season. Virginia Tech will open the season on the road against SEC rival Vanderbilt over Labor Day weekend before returning to Blacksburg to open the home season a week later in a non-conference game against Marshall.
The Hokies have high expectations heading into this season after acquiring key players through the transfer portal as well as retaining a number of players. Head coach Brent Pry and his staff have built a very strong culture and the benefits are being felt immediately.
Whether Virginia Tech does well or not, Hokies fans are sure to come out to support their team, and Lane Stadium is such a tough place for a traveling team to visit on a Saturday (or Thursday night), that one national college football writer ranked it in the top 10 for atmosphere next season.
Carter Barnes of 247Sports ranked the top 10 college football atmospheres heading into the 2024 season, with Lane Stadium coming in at No. 10.
“Visiting coaches should not allow Lane Stadium's modest capacity of 65,000 to instill a false sense of confidence in their teams. Virginia Tech fans routinely outstrip their peers on the decibel meter, making the Hokies' home field one of the loudest in college football. The energy starts early, as VT's on-field entrance is iconic. 'Enter Sandman' creates excitement throughout the stands, and will likely do so this year as the Hokies play closer to the top of the ACC.”
– Carter Barnes
To me, that seems low, and I can't believe there are nine stadiums with a better atmosphere than Blacksburg and Lane Stadium. I'm not saying it should be #1, but I think it's an atmosphere that's in the top 5. Either way, with six home games this season, it should move up the rankings.
