Watch: Vanderbilt stuns Virginia Tech in major Week 1 upset

Virginia Tech came into the 2024 season as a potential sleeper to win a wide-open ACC. It might still end up having a chance to do so when it actually gets into its conference schedule. But its season did not get off to an encouraging start on Saturday when it was on the losing end of one of the biggest early season upsets of the season.

The Hokies dropped a 34-27 overtime decision to the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday despite entering the game as a two-touchdown favorite on the road.

Even worse, they were probably lucky to even get the game into overtime with a chance to win.

Vanderbilt jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half before Virginia Tech finally started to show some signs of life and get back into the game. It even took the lead late in the fourth quarter, but was unable to stop Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia on the ensuing drive.

Pavia did not throw the ball much on Saturday, but he was effective when he did, completing 12-of-16 passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

He was also a problem for Virginia Tech on the ground, rushing for 104 yards on 26 attempts and running in the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

The Commodores kept Virginia Tech out of the end zone on its ensuing possession to hold on for the win.

The good news for the Hokies is this is not a conference loss, so there is still a chance to bounce back. But that is still an ugly defeat to open the season against a team that went 2-10 a year ago, losing its final 10 games of the regular season.

As for Vanderbilt, this is exactly the type of win you need to build some early-season momentum, especially if it can get this type of performance and playmaking out of Pavia.