Now in its sixth year, the Blog Poll is a weekly effort of dozens of college football-centric Web sites representing a wide array of schools under the oversight of founder/manager/guru Brian Cook at MGoBlog, and now appears on SB Nation. This week, the Doc is counting down his preseason ballot, from No. 25 to No. 1. Schedules were strongly considered in an effort to predict the landscape at the end of the regular season: This is not a power poll.

10. Virginia Tech. The Hokies will always be defined by defense, Beamer Ball, the lunchpail, etc. In an obvious rebuilding year for the D, though, their fate as de facto ACC frontrunner in a cutthroat Coastal Division hinges on the offense: With last year’s quiet leap forward for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, there’s finally a quick-strike play-action attack to open up and maybe even overshadow the typically rugged ground game.

For once, they may need it. Down seven starters on defense –