Hokies Move Up in Both Polls
Following their 51-7 dismantling of Georgia Tech on Saturday, Virginia Tech moved up one spot in both the AP Poll and Coaches’ Poll. The Hokies are now ranked #3 in the nation. Not only did Tech jump LSU as a result of their impressive victory, they also received one first-place vote in the Coaches’ Poll.
Virginia Tech is still the highest ranked ACC team. The ACC now has six teams that are ranked in both polls, including three teams that reside in the Top Ten. Florida State and Miami are the other ACC teams that are in the Top Ten. Virginia is #19 in the AP and #18 in the Coaches’, Boston College is #21 and #23, and Georgia Tech resides at #25 in both polls.
USC remains ranked #1 after their victory over Oregon. The Trojans received 59 of a possible 65 first-place votes in the AP Poll, and 60 of a possible 62 in the Coaches’ Poll. Texas, with a favorable schedule in front of them, remains at #2. They received six first-place votes in the AP Poll and one in the Coaches’ Poll.
LSU was jumped by Virginia Tech in both polls after their game against #10 Tennessee was delayed until Monday night. Because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Tigers have played just one game this season, a narrow victory at Arizona State. The Florida Gators round out the Top Five in both polls.
ACC Results
The marquee game of the weekend was Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, but it didn’t’ turn out to be much of a game. The Hokies climbed to 3-0 in ACC play following the 51-7 rout and sit atop the ACC Coastal Division standings. The only other Coastal Division team without a loss is Virginia. The Cavaliers are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC after they defeated Duke 38-7 in Charlottesville.
At this point it appears that everyone is chasing Florida State in the Atlantic Division. Clemson began the season 2-0 with victories over Texas A&M and Maryland, but have since suffered back-to-back overtime losses at home to Miami and Boston College. With their 1-2 record in ACC play, the Tigers are all but out of the Atlantic Division race.
Boston College picked up their first ever ACC win with their victory over Clemson in Death Valley. The Eagles now stand 3-1 overall and 1-1 in ACC play. At this point they appear to be the only team capable of challenging Florida State, but their chances are slim, having lost the head-to-head matchup.
Maryland picked up a much needed ACC win on the road at Wake Forest on Saturday, 22-12. The Terrapins are 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC. However they still have a difficult schedule ahead of them, and are unlikely to make much noise in the Atlantic Division race.
NC State was mentioned as a team that Virginia Tech could possibly face again in the ACC Championship Game, but those chances ended with their 31-24 loss to North Carolina on Saturday. Despite being very talented, NC State has not found a way to win, losing their second home conference game of the season. They are now 0-2 in the ACC.
The Miami Hurricanes, considered to be Virginia Tech’s biggest threat in the Coastal Division, defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 23-3 on Saturday. The Hurricanes are 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the ACC.
Ten ACC teams will be in action on Saturday, October 1, but there are only two ACC games. Virginia must travel to College Park to take on Maryland in a huge conference game for both teams, while Wake Forest will host Clemson.
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