BLACKSBURG — For the first time this season, Virginia Tech football has a week off from game action. The Hokies will use the bye week to regroup before returning to the gridiron on Nov. 6 against No. 19 SMU in Dallas, Texas. Though head coach James Franklin did not hold a Monday press conference, he did hold a post-practice media availability on Tuesday. Here are the most noteworthy observations and quotes from Tuesday's availability:

Where does Franklin feel his team is at two-thirds through the 2026 season?

Virginia Tech enters the bye week with a 6-2 (3-2 ACC) record, with each of its last six games decided by 10 or fewer points. The Hokies kicked off October with back-to-back losses to Pitt (35-33) and Cal (25-20) by a combined seven points; they then defeated Georgia Tech 34-24 on Oct. 17, taking a 24-3 lead into intermission.…