Team: Virginia Tech

Nickname: Hokies

Conference: Atlantic Coast (Coastal)

Location: Blacksburg, Va.

Coach: Frank Beamer (23rd year, 177-89-2; career: 219-112-4)

Last Bowl: 2009 Orange

Last season: 10-4, 6-3

Beamer is the nation's third-longest tenured coach, but somehow isn't mentioned among the elite —which is a shame. His squad is once again among the nation's elite with an always solid defense. Top rusher Darren Evans (1,265) tore his ACL earlier this month, but the team is deep at running back.

The season is a success if ... The Hokies win the ACC championship. Tough games away from home include Alabma on Sept. 5 in Atlanta and at Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, but the rest of the slate is very winnable.

The season is a failure if ... A suitable replacement for Evans cannot be found. As a freshman, he was powerful back who was the Orange Bowl MVP. Look for highly-touted redshirt freshman Ryan Williams to make a big push..

Impact Player: Junior Jason Worilds, defensive end. A second-team All-ACC pick last season, he racked up eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He's small at 6-2, 240, but uses speed to his advantage.

Fun Fact: Virginia Tech is 52-9 at its home field, Lane Stadium, this decade. The best home mark in that span is Boise State's 56-2 record at Bronco Stadium. The two teams will play next season in Maryland.