The ACC wasn't exactly rolling in accolades when SportsNation ranked the college football conferences last week, comfortably holding off the Mountain West and Big East but not even in the same league, so to speak, as the SEC, Big 12, Pac-10 and Big Ten. And now the league's best BCS hope, if you believe the polls, will be without its leading rusher all season.
So ... when does basketball season begin?
Losing Darren Evans to a torn ACL makes the going that much tougher for Virginia Tech, which opens against Alabama and hosts Nebraska before even getting to its conference opener against Miami. Good thing Frank Beamer's returning starter at quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, hit triple digits in passing yards five times last season, or Hokies fans might be worried about their passing game.
- Bruce Smith edged out Michael Vick as SportsNation's pick for the state's top player.
- But Vick's 1999 team (11-1) cruised to a win as voters' pick for the best team.
- Alabama-Virginia Tech has competition as SportsNation's favorite opener.
- Chat: Bruce Feldman talks college football with the Nation at 3 p.m. ET.
- Groups: ACC Sports | ACC UNITED! | Hokie Nation
“Bummer for Virginia Tech, but gives the rest of the ACC Coastal a break. Yet another case where *luck* plays into every team's run. It's just just about talent, depth and coaching... you need the football gods on your side. Here's hoping Darren rehabs and is back in action sooner than later. A huge setback for him. VT isn't going to be the odds on favorite in the ACC this year. They have the depth at RB, but Evans was the cream of that crop. He'll be tough to replace.
” -- allcanesblog.com
“dang, that sucks for VTech. Torn ACL is major, hope he will be good to go for next year, i would have liked to see him play against my Tarheels this year, but VTech will still give my Heels a tough game even without him. Hope he gets better, and he can be back to playing football
” -- crazytarheelsfan
“Alabama fan/student here. That sucks a lot to hear about this kid's injury. Torn ACL's are miserable, to say the least. From a football standpoint, it's going to be practically impossible for the VT running game to be effective against our defense, whether you guys want to admit it or not. This is going to absolutely force the throw, which is definitely not Tyrod Taylor's strong suit, putting it gently.
” -- zferguson123
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