Virginia Tech football: Hokies open the season ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll

College football is finally—almost—here. The preseason AP Top 25 was released on Monday and the Hokies were ranked No. 20 in the nation. Alabama, of course, enters the season ranked No. 1 with Clemson and Georgia right behind the Crimson Tide. Regardless of who you root for on the gridiron, you can’t argue too much with those three at the top.

The Hokies open the season on Labor Day with a trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State. The Seminoles are ranked No. 19 in head coach Willie Taggart’s first year. While the Hokies have a lot of questions, especially on the defensive side of the ball, the ‘Noles have some questions, too. However, FSU is never lacking in talent and this team will be no different.

Other VT opponents in the Top 25 this year include Notre Dame, who the Hokies host in Lane Stadium for the first time ever. Virginia Tech won the only previous meeting between the two schools back in 2016. The Fighting Irish enter 2018 ranked No. 12 in the country.

Also ranked is No. 8 Miami, who the Hokies host on November 17. The Hokies have a long and rich history with the Hurricanes who seem to be getting back on track with Mark Richt as head coach.

So, Hokie fans, how do you feel about the No. 20 ranking? Too high? Too low? Or, you just aren’t sure?

Preseason ranking obviously mean nothing, but they give fans a chance to set expectations. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s bad. The 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies are going to have lots of inexperience on defense, but if there is one side of the ball you can always trust in Blacksburg it is the defense with the legendary Bud Foster in charge.