How many top 25 teams will Virginia Tech have played by year-end?

On Monday, the Preseason AP Top 25 poll was released for college football and there were some surprises and some not-to-surprising rankings and teams either inside the top 25 or on the outside.

One quick look at the poll and you only see two opponents on Virginia Tech's schedule for now, in 2025. Miami at No. 10 and South Carolina at No. 13 are the only two teams on the Hokies' schedule ranked. The story is different when you scroll down to "Others Receiving Votes," and there are three more opponents on Tech's schedule this fall, also receiving votes: Louisville, Georgia Tech, and Florida State.

How many top 25 teams will Virginia Tech have played when the 2025 season ends?

Preseason polls are what they are, preseason polls. There are not a lot of people who put much stock, if any, into them, while others live and die by them and get upset when their team is snubbed. However, after taking a deep dive into the rankings, how many Virginia Tech opponents will be ranked when the Hokies play them?

The clear and obvious answer is South Carolina since it's the season opener for Brent Pry's team, then unless the roof caves in big time on Miami this year, the Hurricanes should still be ranked in late November when they make the trip to Blacksburg. After that? Well, that's where things get interesting.

Louisville and Georgia Tech were the next closest to the Top 25, and when they appear on Virginia Tech's schedule, the Yellow Jackets could be ranked, but if things go well for the Cardinals early in the season, then they could be ranked on Nov. 1 when they, too, come to Blacksburg. As far as FSU goes, I wouldn't expect them to be ranked in mid-November when Virginia Tech visits.

After those five schools, it would be very surprising to see anyone else of the Hokies' schedule ranked when they play Virginia Tech. So to answer the question, the prediction will be four teams when all is said and done with the season that Virginia Tech plays that will be ranked. We'll see how things end up playing out.