ACC Power Rankings 2014: Coastal Division

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Mark Leal (6) takes a snap from center during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies

Like a couple teams in the Atlantic division, the Virginia Tech Hokies may find themselves relying on a transfer quarterback to lead them. The battle for the starting job has not been decided just yet, but Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer is likely to win the job. Mark Leal has given Brewer all he can handle but, odds are, the Hokies didn’t take Brewer if they didn’t plan on starting him. The good news, for whoever ends up winning the starting job, is that he will have the benefit of playing behind a veteran offensive line and throwing to a decent group of receivers.

The trouble for the Hokies is that they need to replace nearly their entire front-seven from a year ago. But Bud Foster is still around, so betting against the Hokies defense seems like a bad idea. It’s just unclear who is going to be making the plays for them up front. The secondary, on the other hand, should be outstanding. That unit will be led by Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson, who both earned Freshman All-American honors last year. Fuller also earned preseason All-ACC First-Team honors.