For the first time in State of the Program history we are opening up the mics and cameras to the listeners. This episode has always been a joint celebration or commiseration with fellow fans and we're taking that literally this year. The James Franklin era is upon us in Blacksburg, the staff is starting to take shape, and the portal window is on the horizon. Join BCP and let us know what has you most exciting about the James Franklin era and what things are still giving you pause.

In this episode we welcome our friend Matej Sis from VT Scoop to help us break down the Signing Day blitz from James Franklin and the Hokies. Also, while nothing official has dropped from Virginia Tech, national media are reporting the Hokies are set to (re)hire Brent Pry as defensive coordinator on James Franklin's new staff. Brent Pry returns just 3 months after being fired by the Hokies as Head Coach. Reports are also swirling that Franklin has tapped Ty Howle to be offensive coordinator. Each with their own implications, we breakdown these perspective hires and what we think the rest of the staff looks like as it continues to take shape ahead of the transfer portal opening in January.

A depleted Hokies roster walked into Scott Stadium uninspired and outmatched, leaving Charlottesville with a 27-7 defeat that was hard at times to watch. We Tell the Truth about the end of a season that was lost weeks ago. We then touch briefly on the feverish rush to Early Signing Day, how James Franklin's staff might look, and make our Big Screener picks of the week.

James Franklin is officially the new head football coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The committee zeroed in on their primary target early and the process and after much hand wringing were able to close the deal on one of the best coaches available. We talk about the effects of this hire before opening it up to the audience to give their takes on what the James Franklin hire means for the Hokies.

We come off a bye still without a coach and facing one of the teams most linked to our top candidate James Franklin. We welcome Jesse from Plant the Spear onto the show to talk James Franklin rumblings and help us preview the Hokies road matchup at Doak Campbell Stadium.

This week we Tell the Truth about the Hokies loss at home to the Louisville Cardinals. While the Hokies showed heart throughout, inconsistent play and ill-timed mistakes ultimately doomed the Hokies upset bid as Louisville handled Virginia Tech in the second half. We also dive further into the James Franklin flirtations and make our Big Screeners picks of the week.

The Hokies were able to prevail in a wild back and forth contest in Lane Stadium on Friday night, taking down the Golden Bears in 2OT with a final score of 42-34. We Tell the Truth about a fun but chaotic game in Blacksburg. We then turn our attention to Louisville as we get to Know the Enemy ahead of Saturday's 3PM home tilt. We wrap as always by picking our Big Screeners of the week.

The Hokies come off a much needed bye week geared up to host the 5-2 Cal Golden Bears. With the schedule only getting tougher in November, Virginia Tech will need to take care of business in Lane Stadium on Friday if they hope to add to their win total in 2025. We also make our Big Screeners picks of the week.