The USA Today released their preseason Coaches Poll, and the Hokies are ranked #20, the lowest since they opened the 2004 season unranked.
This marks the eighth season in a row the Hokies have been ranked in the preseason by the coaches. Four times in that stretch, VT has been in the top ten, but as noted, this is their lowest ranking in the eight-year run:
- 2012: #20
- 2011: #13
- 2010: #6
- 2009: #7
- 2008: #15
- 2007: #9
- 2006: #16
- 2005: #7
Around the ACC, Florida State checks in at #7 and Clemson is #14.
LSU and Alabama are 1-2, with SEC mates Georgia (#6), South Carolina (#9) and Arkansas (#10) joining them in the top ten, giving the league half of the top ten teams. Florida (#23) and Auburn (#25) are the sixth and seventh (out of 14) SEC teams ranked.
Virginia Tech's 2011 Sugar Bowl opponent, Michigan, checks in at #8.
For a look at the complete poll, click here.