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Preseason AP Poll reinforces golden opportunity ahead of Virginia Tech football in 2024

The AP Top 25 poll paints a promising picture for the Hokies entering 2024.

By Scott Roche

Nov 18, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry looks on during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry looks on during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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Monday, the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 Poll was released and for the second time in a week, Virginia Tech was left just on the outside looking in. Last week in the Preseason Coaches Poll, the Hokies were the third team out at No. 28 in teams receiving votes. In the AP Top 25, Virginia Tech was the second team out, coming in at No. 27 right behind fellow ACC foe Louisville.

There is a lot of hype for the 2024 season in Blacksburg and with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff this season, it gives a one or two-loss team more of an opportunity to play for a National Championship. One reason for optimism for Virginia Tech is the schedule they face this season and one look at the AP Top 25 shows just how doable the schedule is for Brent Pry's team.

  • 1. Georgia
  • 2. Ohio State
  • 3. Oregon
  • 4. Texas
  • 5. Alabama
  • 6. Ole Miss
  • 7. Notre Dame
  • 8. Penn State
  • 9. Michigan
  • 10. Florida State
  • 11. Missouri
  • 12. Utah
  • 13. LSU
  • 14. Clemson
  • 15. Tennessee
  • 16. Oklahoma
  • 17. Oklahoma State
  • 18. Kansas State
  • 19. Miami
  • 20. Texas A&M
  • 21. Arizona
  • 22. Kansas
  • 23. USC
  • 24. North Carolina State
  • 25. Iowa

As expected, the SEC leads the way with nine teams, including newcomers, Oklahoma and Texas, while the ACC had just four, with Louisville and Virginia Tech being the first two out. Out of the four ACC schools in the Top 25, only two are on the Hokies schedule for 2024.

AP Top 25 poll reveals how doable the 2024 Virginia Tech schedule is

The only two teams that are on Virginia Tech's schedule this season that were in the first AP Top 25 poll are Clemson at No. 14 and Miami at No. 19. The first four games on the schedule are non-conference games for Pry's team with Vanderbilt, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Rutgers waiting for them. None of those schools was ranked, which is no surprise.

Virginia Tech will open ACC play against Miami on Sept. 27 in what is potentially one of the better quarterback matchups this season with Kyron Drones and Miami's Cam Ward going head-to-head. Clemson will visit Lane Stadium on Nov. 9 in what could be one of the bigger games on the Hokies schedule this season. For that to happen, they need to take care of business leading into both of those conference battles.

That is doable as there is no Louisville, NC State, or Florida State on the schedule, the three teams that beat them last season in conference play. Yes, Syracuse and Duke on the road are going to be tough games, while Georgia Tech will be a tough home game this season, but Virginia Tech will be favored in those games. Rutgers is going to be a tough game at home, but let's be honest, if the Hokies are going to have the season they are capable of, then going into ACC play they should be 4-0.

If that ends up being the case, then things are going to ramp up in conference play. Virginia Tech is a long shot to make the CFP and the ACC Championship Game, but with a schedule that is very doable with the returning talent, anything is possible and even more so after the preseason AP Top 25 poll only has two opponents on it.

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