The AP Top 25 poll has always been the pinnacle of excellence in college football, a group of voters who vow to include the best teams in the country. A list full of controversial choices, teams that should have been included and teams that shouldn’t have been included. This year’s poll didn’t seem as absolute as last year. Much like the ACC, there is a debate over who the best team is and there hasn’t really been a unified answer.
Georgia topped the US LBM Coaches Poll released earlier this week, closely followed by Ohio State. Some notable teams that didn’t make the list were Washington, Louisville and Virginia Tech. The Hokies were widely viewed as a complete bust, given that they have the highest power in the country, gained even more in the transfer portal and conveniently have one of the easiest schedules in the ACC.
The Hokies were voted 27th with 77 votes
Additionally, due to the loose schedule, Virginia Tech could easily be ranked much higher later in the season. Listen to Virginia Tech’s first nine games this season: Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion, Rutgers, Miami, Stanford, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Syracuse. It’s not unrealistic to think the Hokies could be undefeated after this stretch, with some good wins against Rutgers, Miami and Syracuse. It’s the perfect mix of games and probably why so many analysts consider Virginia Tech to be one of the underdog candidates in college football.
It’s not just the schedule that makes me say that, you just have to look at the talent in Blacksburg. There are players on both sides of the ball that could be at the top at their position. On defense, the Hokies start with a cornerback duo that was already considered one of the best in the ACC and returns for another year. On the linebacker side, they bring in all-conference mike linebacker Sam Brumfield to play alongside Keli Lawson, who earned All-ACC Honorable Mention in his sophomore year. The defensive line is incredible. Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Cole Nelson on the side, supported by Aeneas Peebles who is double-covered at center. Whoever comes in for Aeneas is great too, there are probably six starting-level defensive tackles on this team.
The offense is great too. The most underrated offensive line in the ACC, which includes Braelin Moore, Kaden Moore, and Parker Clements. Kyron Drones returns at quarterback and hopes for his first full year at the helm. The skill players look great too, as Virginia Tech has one of the best wide receiver teams. Da’Quan Felton, Ali Jennings, Jaylin Lane, Stephen Gosnell, Ayden Greene, and the list goes on. Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas bring so much to the run game, and it seems like there isn’t much the defense can do against the Hokies.
Virginia Tech finished behind ACC teams like Florida State (10), Clemson (14), Miami (19) and NC State (24). Louisville was the only team that received more votes than Virginia Tech but did not make the list.
While I think Virginia Tech should have been on the list, voters may want to see the team in action first and will quickly move the Hokies up once that happens. By the end of the season, the Hokies could be much higher on this list, it’s all a matter of time – and a matter of whether they can beat the Hurricanes.
