CBS Sports released its annual preseason top 138, the ranking of all 138 FBS schools, and, really, to nobody's surprise, they have James Franklin and Virginia Tech flying under the radar. That is a spot that Franklin and company love to be in. They have the Hokies ranked 39th overall and just two slots behind Virginia.
So what does all this mean? In the middle of August, not much, really, but given Franklin's history and the turnover he's had in Blacksburg, it's putting Virginia Tech in a perfect position to fly under the radar.
CBS Sports has interesting preseason ranking of ACC schools
In CBS Sports' ranking, Virginia Tech is the eighth-ranked ACC school. They are behind Miami (No. 7), SMU (No. 20), Louisville (No. 25), Clemson (No. 27), Pittsburgh (No. 35), Virginia (No. 37), Florida State (No. 38), and the Hokies. If there is one surprising team ahead of Virginia Tech from the ACC, it's FSU.
You can make the case for every other ACC team ahead of the Hokies, but the Seminoles? Really? There are questions about Florida State entering the season with Mike Norvell squarely on the hot seat. The first sign of things heading south, as they did in 2025, the school will be forced to make a tough decision in terms of money and Norvell's future. Knowing that his job is likely on the line, Norvell went out and raided the Transfer Portal to improve his 2026 roster, which includes the addition of offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin, a former Virginia Tech lineman.
It would be surprising to see the Seminoles finish with a better record than the Hokies. As for Virginia Tech, despite the hiring of Franklin and a big roster turnover, they are flying under the radar. I get it; there are a lot of questions surrounding Franklin, Virginia Tech, and the roster. How much depth do they have? Is it going to be enough should injuries occur? That remains to be seen.
However, nobody can disagree with the hiring of Franklin. It was a move that needed to be made by the hiring search committee. Virginia Tech is a sleeping giant waiting to be woken up, and again, if someone can wake it up, it is Franklin.
The outlook for the 2026 version of the Hokies is anywhere from five wins to nine. It wouldn't surprise many people if they finished right around either number or right smack dab in the middle. What can't be denied is that the roster is a better one than last season's. Sure, the bar isn't very high in terms of that, but this is one of the better portal classes that Hokies fans have seen in some time.
You have an experienced quarterback ready to break out, an NFL-type tight end coming that is a game-changer at the position, as well as skilled players on the offensive side of the ball, with some key players added on defense. All of this is adding up to Virginia Tech flying under the radar and staying out of the spotlight, something that is just fine with them.
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