Full list is here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130507/post-spr...
This is what he said about Tech.
Key returnees: QB Logan Thomas, LB Jack Tyler, CB Kyle Fuller, DE James Gayle, CB Antone Exum
Key losses: OT Vinston Painter, WR Marcus Davis, LB Bruce Taylor, LB Alonzo Tweedy
Spring star: CB Brandon Facyson
Cornerback Exum had knee surgery in early February at the Gulf Breeze, Fla., clinic run by renowned surgeon -- and Alabama team physician -- James Andrews. Exum, who may not be recovered in time to play when the Hokies open their season against the Crimson Tide on Aug. 31 in Atlanta, didn't hesitate to let Andrews know who he thought would win the game. "He went up to my mom and was like, 'He's delirious in there. All he keeps saying is how he's going to be back for Alabama and they're going to beat Alabama,'" Exum told The Virginian-Pilot's Andy Bitter. "So I guess that was the first thing on my mind." The Hokies have a lot to prove in that game and throughout the 2013 season. Last year was one of the worst in the Frank Beamer era, and a program that has been a model of consistency probably won't be down long -- especially when it returns nine defensive starters. Beamer finally made changes on his offensive staff, but new coordinator Scot Loeffler will need to coax a great year out of Thomas to erase the stain left by the putrid offense he ran at Auburn in 2012. But on the Plains, Loeffler was trying to run a pro-style scheme with players recruited to run Gus Mahlzahn's spread. Now, he's working with a passer whose skill set is far more similar to -- and probably better than -- the quarterbacks Loeffler coached at Michigan from 2002-07.
Clemson is 10th, and Florida State is 12th.
Comments
but...but... the spring game!... but... but... the 2012 season!
At least someone expresses a vote of confidence in us.
More than we can say about this
professionalclown...The 25th rank is a bit too generous for me, but at least Tech is within the top 30, so I'll take it with a shovelful of salt.
Not sure I agree with this ranking just yet. In addition, I like it better when we receive no hype. Seems to make the boys work harder at earning the respect.
Where's the U? Someone told me they were back...
I totally don't agree with 25. I love my Hokies and I believe that we will #shocktheworld, but last year and the showing this spring was not enough to put us in the top 25. Must be some politics so more people will watch the August 31 game.
It's all good though - more viewers = more Alabama tears 8^)
sports illustrated has little interest in espn getting good ratings for the game. they're pretty bitter competitors.
I find your lack of faith disturbing. The only people who are gonna be "shocked" are Alabama fans, who aren't the brightest people, and ESPN's token bitchboy, Kirk Herbstreit.
Some Bama fans call the athletic dept asking for highlight reels from Forrest Gump's days as a player. I kid you not.
In their defense, he was an amazing player...
Gamblers taking the over on the 22 point line will be shocked.
My initial reaction was that this guy must work for ESPN, and he's been instructed to bump us in order to promote the game. Rankings don't mean diddlysquat at this point. Hopefully we make our point on August 31. What really steams me is that I know that even if we beat Bama, they fall to probably 10-12 in the rankings, and we get ranked at 15-16 or so, and they're still ahead of us in the polls.Thats just how the game works.
I think it depends on how much we beatbama by. If its a close game decided in the last couple posessions, then I think you're right. If we're pulling away in the late 3rd/early 4th, then I think we end up jumping them.
Easy, slugger. I'll settle for up a point as the final second ticks off and the ball hits the ground out of bounds. The rankings can wait.
Bama has a stranglehold on every pollster's nuts. If VT wins, Bama will move down to 5 or so. The pollsters would artificially award VT though, and assume they're now a top 10 team. After their win over Bama last year, Tex A&M went from 15 to 9 and Bama went from 1 to 4. I would think a VT win would be similar.
i dont think being ranked 25 is all that far fetched. like staples says, "Last year was one of the worst in the Frank Beamer era, and a program that has been a model of consistency probably won't be down long -- especially when it returns nine defensive starters."
i honestly dont think we'll #beatbama (i know, i know, downvote me if you must) but i think we'll be a solid squad right in the mix for the coastal.
I don't either. He's got Northern Illinois ahead of us, without their QB or coach. It's not a ranking in isolation, you have to consider how many teams are clearly better than we are at this stage. Everyone's got questions. We have talent + coaching. We have one of the best returning defenses in the country. We have a senior QB returning. Those are really the two biggest factors in preseason rankings, returning defenders + returning QB's (+ returning OL).
Jordan Lynch is still at NIU and their OC is now their HC, and that was the strength of their team. So I could totally see NIU having another great season.
And the MAC isn't exactly a tough conference
Ahh, I misread their listing. I thought Lynch was gone.
Based on 2012 and players returning, I would argue UNC is better and Miami is equivalent. That being said, I think VT is much better than they played last year. But, both probably deserve to be ranked ahead of VT right now.
I don't have access to hokiehaven.com but what is the main article talking about? It says "Coach Frank Beamer and the Hokies have received some disappointing news that one player for sure won't be playing this season."
Is this a new development?
Norm Wood is reporting that Drew Harris is enrolled in JUCO: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/colleges/virginia-tech/dp-spt-tech-drew-harris-0509-20130508,0,6242772.story My guess is the hokiehaven.com story is related. If nothing else, Norm's story gives us a lot of information about what's been going on.
I think it is Acree calling it quits due to all the injuries hes had.
Sounds like you've got the right idea. From a VT personal trainer:
Yeah, that must have been what it's talking about. It aid medical related. That's a shame.
Man, that's too bad.
Best wishes to him.
I still show people his recruiting photo. He was/is a MANCHILD. Best of luck to him...