Vanderbilt football is set to face Virginia Tech on Saturday, opening their season as 13.5-point underdogs. The Commodores, coming off a challenging 2-10 season, have made significant changes, including hiring new coaches Jerry Kill and Tim Beck, and bringing in quarterback Diego Pavia from New Mexico State, who had a standout season last year. Virginia Tech, led by former Vanderbilt associate head coach Brent Pry, boasts a strong returning roster with 22 starters and aims to build on their successful finish last season. The matchup is crucial for both teams, with Vanderbilt needing a win to shift perceptions and gain momentum for the rest of the season. Clark Lea, Vanderbilt's head coach, acknowledges the importance of this game as a litmus test for the program's evolution. The game will air at 11 AM CT, highlighting the historical connections between the coaching staffs of both teams.