Hokies Move Up in the Polls

The latest college football polls were released on Tuesday
afternoon, and Virginia Tech moved up one spot in each following their victory
over NC State on Sunday night. The Hokies are ranked #6 in the USA Today Coaches’
Poll and #7 in the AP Poll.

Tech was able to move up one spot in each poll because the
Oklahoma Sooners, previously ranked #5 by the USA Today Poll and #7 by the AP
Poll, slipped up on opening weekend and lost to TCU at home 17-10.

The ACC makes quite a showing in the latest polls, with
seven teams being ranked in the AP Poll and six in the USA Today Poll. Georgia
Tech and Clemson entered the Top 25 in the AP Poll thanks their respective
victories over #16 Auburn and #17 Texas A&M. Georgia Tech is also ranked in
the USA Today Poll. The Hokies are the highest ranked ACC team in both polls,
and the only ACC team in the top ten in either poll.

Despite defeating top-ten Miami 10-7 on Monday night,
Florida State did not receive a top ten ranking. The Seminoles finished just
eight points behind Florida in the USA Today Poll. They will host The Citadel on
Saturday at 6:45 on ESPNU.

Miami dropped five spots in the poll after being downed by
Florida State on the road. The Hurricanes missed two field goals and botched the
snap on another to help preserve the Seminole victory. Miami is off this coming
weekend and must travel to Clemson on September 17. Clemson defeated Miami in
the Orange Bowl last season.

Boston College defeated BYU 20-3 on Saturday. The Eagles
shut down the Cougar offense and managed to generate enough points for a
relatively easy victory. They will play host to Army on Saturday afternoon at
12:30 on ESPN Classic.

Georgia Tech defied the odds and defeated Auburn on the
road 23-14, stopping the nation’s third longest winning streak at 15. The
Yellow Jackets appear to be a much improved team and played well against Auburn
on both sides of the ball. They host North Carolina Saturday at 3:30 on ABC.

Western Michigan gave Virginia quite a scare in
Charlottesville, but the Cavaliers prevailed on a late touchdown by Cedric
Peerman. UVA has the week off before traveling to Syracuse to face the Orangemen
in the Carrier Dome on September 17.

Clemson rallied to beat Texas A&M in a dramatic
victory in Death Valley on Saturday night. The Tigers beat the Aggies 25-24 on a
last second field goal by Jad Dean. They will now travel to College Park to take
on Maryland this Saturday at noon on ESPN.

Other ACC teams in action this week include Virginia Tech
at Duke on Saturday, televised by Jefferson Pilot/Raycom at noon, and Wake
Forest at Nebraska. The Wake game will be televised on Saturday night at 7 on
TBS.

Virginia Tech junior rover Aaron Rouse was named the ACC’s
Defensive Back of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. Rouse, a first year starter
from Virginia Beach, played a big part in Virginia Tech’s 20-16 victory over
NC State on Sunday night.

Rouse had eight tackles, four solo and four assisted, a
forced fumble and two interceptions. Both interceptions came as NC State was
driving in Tech territory, with the second interception ending the game.

Rouse also recovered a fumble and returned it for a
touchdown, but the call was overturned when replay officials determined that it
was an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.

Virginia Tech came out of the NC State game relatively
healthy, with no major injuries to anyone. Defensive tackle Carlton Powell
suffered an ankle sprain in the first half against the Wolfpack, but is listed
as probable for the Duke game on Saturday.

Defensive end Darryl Tapp suffered a groin injury on the
first play of the game, but he showed toughness by playing through it. He is
also listed as probable for the Duke game.

If the Hokies can get a big lead against Duke on Saturday,
these two players will spend the majority of their day on the sidelines.
Virginia Tech can’t afford to lose players to injury for any significant
length on the defensive line.

Jefferson Pilot Sports has announced its television
clearances for the Virginia Tech vs. Duke game on Saturday afternoon. To see the
list of stations, go to the HokieSports.com
article. The game will also be televised on ESPN Gameplan.