We Asked AI to Predict the Hokies' 2025-26 Record: Here is what it Said

The future is uncertain, particularly in the realm of sports. While technology and analytics strive to assist us in making choices about whom to select, nothing is guaranteed. With the season approaching, we here at VTHN decided to have some fun and conduct an experiment by asking AI to forecast the Hokies' record for their upcoming 2025-26 season, beginning Friday night.

Here is what it predicted:

September: The Hokies begin the season strong with a rivalry win over Liberty. However, with pressure from being on the road plus Liberty's depth, Tech finishes the weekend 1-1. The month concludes with a favorable win over Tennessee, followed by a loss to a more competitive NC State team.

October: Heading now 2-2 into the first weekend of October, AI predicts the Hokies to be swept by UNC due to the Tar Heels' speed and size challenge. However, Tech will bounce back against rival West Virginia, sweeping the Mountaineers to get back to .500 at a 4-4 record. Once again, another split series with Liberty leads into the final week of the month, where the Hokies sweep UNCW to escape October 7-5.

November: The month starts with a loss to Maryland, which AI believes will be a strong opponent this season, followed by a rebound win the following night. After that, the Hokies will head to the ACCHL Fall Tournament, where they will go 2-1 (opponents TBD). Finally, in their second consecutive outdoor game against Georgia, Tech will prevail over the Bulldogs based on their experience levels of playing in that type of atmosphere.

December: A sweep of Rider gives the Hokies a 13-7 record heading into Winter Break.

January: The Hokies start the second half hot, sweeping High Point at home. The weekend after sees a split series with Ohio University, followed by two league victories over Wake Forest. The final game of the season, senior night, is predicted by AI to be an emotional tilt that is favored in the hands of the Towson Tigers, spoiling the celebration. In all, the Hokies finish the regular season 18-9, claiming the first seed in the ACCHL Premier Division.

February: The ACCHL Tournament is first up for the Hokies as AI predicts with will cruise in their opener, followed by an expected semifinal win to return to the finals for a second straight year. Moreover, the system predicts deja vu for Tech as they will fall and become runner-ups to whomever they face, though earn a trip to regionals in the #6-#8 seed range.

Regionals: Tech will square off with a mid-ranked seed as AI predicts Rider, Maryland, or Delaware as some of the possibilities. Through their experience and dominance, the Hokies will win in the first round and match up with a top-tier seed (Penn State or Miami-Ohio) in the second round. Unfortunately, that is where Tech's road will end as predicted by the AI in a crushing, down-to-the-last-second loss.

While the future is uncertain, the path predicted by the AI follows a similar course to what the Hokies went through last season (plus a few added losses along the way). In what is shaping up to be another exciting season for Virginia Tech Hockey, the Hokies will kick off their 2025-26 season this Friday night against Liberty. You can catch the game live on the Virginia Tech Hockey Network starting at 7:30 pm.