We all know that VT has been ranked in the first coaches’ poll as a respectible Number 7 team. That number will be immedately tested on a national scale when the team takes on Alabama in the first game of the season. The ‘Tide was able to pull out a respectable (and somewhat surprising) fifth place rank themselves. We should be mindful of what the team needs to prove however and not let ourselves get too carried away…

It would be unfair for me to ignore all my hatred and arguments over the faults of a pre-season poll process simply because the Hokies landed a top-ten spot. Remember that the “coaches” who are voting in this so-called poll probably aren’t even the coaches themselves (most insiders now realize it is some overzealous A.D. assistant or intern that pulls the trigger on their head coach’s behalf) and even if is the real deal head coach deal filling out the ballot whats to say that they do any homework on what teams really are the best? Bobby Bowden isn’t bothering with this shit, neither is Joe-Pa, maybe even Uncle Frank feels there are better things than to waste time on a media worshipping vote.

Regardless of how low that number next to our name gets, we find ourself in a similiar position that we have been at before… we have an EXPECTATION to do well… but fortunately this year we don’t play a cupcake filled first month of the season and instead head straight in to the fire. I do like that we are still underdogs for the game against Alabama, even if so slightly. I feel like we have always done better when we surprise the competition rather than when we have to sustain our place in the polls. Its going to be two teams with a lot to prove on September 5th and neither teams wants to be the season’s first to be labeled “overrated.”

It is scary to put so much on the line right at the start of the season, but knowing are less than one month away from kickoff just makes me think “bring it on.”