Ranking The ACC Coastal Division Teams: Va. Tech

Virginia Tech is one of the football programs in the nation that just reload. Head coach Frank Beamer in his twenty-first year at Va. Tech looks to be a BCS contender with a team that was 10-3 last year. The year ended in disappointment when they lost to Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The Hokies return 16 starters for the 2007 season and saw a number of players stay at school instead of turn pro. There is no doubt that they will be "America's Team" this year given the tragedy and horror that the school had to endure.

This is a team that sometimes seems to let down and lose games that perhaps they should have won. The key this year for Beamer is to be consistient. The Hokies will be tested early as they play at LSU in their second game of the season. The Hokies are the only ACC team to be ranked in the top ten of the preseason polls so they will not be sneaking up on any team. They also get FSU at home this year and this should be an interesting test for the Noles.

Virginia Tech has the framework of the nation's No. 1-ranked defense led by linebackers Vince Hall, who finished with an ACC-best 128 tackles, and Xavier Adibi, who had as many sacks as interceptions (three). In addition, as good and as experienced as Tech's front seven is, three of the down lineman are seniors, the secondary could be the team's best asset. Corners Brandon Flowers and Macho Harris (four interceptions) will be playing in the NFL soon. The Hokies allowed only 11 points per game last season, giving up 14 touchdowns in 13 games.

Junior running back Branden Ore who was the dominant player for Virginia Tech's offense last season wil be even better this year. He scored 17 of the offense's 35 touchdowns, 16 on the ground, to go with 1,137 yards. Ore will have an improved offensive line and a veteran quarterback to relieve the pressure of the running game.

FSU It's Time Ranking Prediction: All in all, the Hokies should be the team to beat for the ACC Coastal Division title. Unless they trip up, they should finish at #1 in the ACC Coastal.