Golden Bears vs Hokies: Week 9 Football Preview | ACC Matchup

California and Virginia tech Set for Primetime ACC Football Clash on October 24, 2025

The ACC football Fridays series continues this week with a compelling matchup between California and Virginia tech, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. This game marks the beginning of a weekend featuring seven ACC contests, promising a full slate of action for college football fans.

A key element of Friday night’s broadcast will be the ACC Enhanced Instant Replay Access,offering viewers an unprecedented look into the real-time deliberations of game officials. This initiative, pioneered by the ACC, aims too increase clarity and fan engagement by providing a behind-the-scenes perspective on officiating decisions – a feature unmatched in the world of college football.

Did you know? – The ACC’s Enhanced Instant Replay Access is the first of it’s kind in college football, giving fans a unique view of officiating reviews. The ACC hopes this will increase transparency and improve the viewing experience.

Golden Bears and Hokies Renew Rivalry

California and Virginia Tech will meet for only the second time in program history, and the first as conference opponents, on Friday in Blacksburg, Virginia.The first encounter saw Cal emerge victorious with a 52-49 win over the Hokies in the 2003 insight bowl,a game highlighted by an MVP performance from then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Golden Bears are entering their second consecutive Friday night game following a hard-fought 21-18 victory over North Carolina in Week 8. Wide receiver Jacob de Jesus had a standout performance in that game, securing a career-high 13 receptions – a total tied for sixth-most in program history and the highest by a Cal player as 2016.

Currently, Cal leads the ACC with four fumble recoveries and has demonstrated remarkable ball security, having lost only two fumbles all season. Freshman quarterback Jaron-keawe Sagapolutele has consistently delivered strong performances, exceeding 200 passing yards in each of the team’s seven games, accumulating a total of 1,696 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Pro tip: – Cal’s strong ball security, with only two fumbles lost this season, could be a key factor in their success against Virginia Tech. Protecting the football is crucial in close games.

Virginia Tech Seeks to Regain Momentum

Virginia Tech will be looking to bounce back from a two-game losing streak after a 35-20 defeat against then-No. 12 Georgia Tech in Week 7,benefiting from an open week to prepare.

Quarterback Kyron Drones has emerged as a key player for the Hokies, recently becoming the seventh player in program history to surpass 5,000 career passing yards. He has thrown for 1,397 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and stands as one of only 13 ACC quarterbacks in the College Football Playoff (CFP) era to achieve at least 10 games with 150-plus passing yards and 50-plus rushing yards.

this Friday night showdown promises to be a captivating contest, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of both the California Golden Bears and the Virginia Tech hokies.

Reader question: – Which quarterback, Sagapolutele or Drones, do you think will have a bigger impact on the outcome of Friday’s game and why?

News Report Additions:

Why: The California Golden Bears and Virginia Tech Hokies are facing off in a primetime ACC Football Fridays game as part of a larger weekend of seven ACC contests. The game is significant as it’s only the second meeting between the two programs and the first as conference opponents.

Who: The key players are California’s freshman quarterback