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Hokies Are 14th in Jan 5th FanSided ACC Power Rankings

By Tim Thomas

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Jan 3, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Buzz Williams instructs his players during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies did not have a great New Year’s week with a blowout loss at West Virginia to end 2014 being the main reason. However, there was reason for positivity after the Hokies nearly took down the Syracuse Orange in an impressive comeback.

With ACC play under way, it is now easier to compare ACC teams with other ACC teams since everybody has common opponents. At the beginning of the season, all but one voter from the media projected the Hokies would finish last in the ACC.

This week, 6 FanSided sites that all were focused on a particular ACC school came together to put together a FanSided ACC Power Rankings. The rankings were released by Big Red Louie who was one of 6 voters along with us, Soaring to Glory, Yellow Jacked Up, Ball Durham and, Rubbing the Rock.

The Hokies debuted at number 14 this week which is a sign of progress. Buzz Williams has done a very good job of developing a very young roster into a team that can avoid finishing last in the ACC for the third straight season.

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Virginia Tech’s next opponent Florida State was ranked 13th, and this should be an interesting matchup to see if the Hokies are a team that can avoid finishing in the cellar of the ACC. Both of these teams clearly have a lot to prove, and will know that this game in Tallahassee will be a great opportunity to do exactly that.

If the Hokies can get this victory, they will likely climb up at least one spot ahead of Florida State and possibly more. However, a loss could mean Virginia Tech drops to 15th behind Wake Forest.

Meanwhile, the number 1 team is unanimously Duke in this ranking, but the rest of the ranking shows how different tiers of teams in the ACC are already starting to emerge. For the full rankings, check it out at Big Red Louie.

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