The USA Today preseason Coaches Poll is out, and Virginia Tech is ranked #13 in the nation. Florida State is the only other ranked ACC team, checking in at #5. This is the first time since 2008 that the Hokies are not the highest-ranked ACC team in the preseason.
Since opening the 2004 season unranked, Virginia Tech has been ranked in seven straight preseason coaches polls. The Hokies’ average preseason ranking was #10 from 2005-2010, including four top-ten rankings.
In 2008, Clemson was ranked #9, but in 2009 and 2010, the Hokies were the highest-ranked ACC team in the preseason.
Florida State’s #5 ranking is their highest preseason ranking since 2002 (#4), though Florida State was ranked #6 in 2004. The Seminoles were picked by the ACC media to win the conference this year, and most of the national media feel FSU is poised to rise again under coach Jimbo Fisher, quarterback E.J. Manuel, and 16 returning starters.
In major preseason magazines, the Hokies have been ranked as high as #5 (Phil Steele) and as low as #13 (Sporting News). Athlon has the Hokies at #7 and Lindy’s has Tech at #12.
For the full rankings, see the link below.
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