Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida Projected to Reach Final Top 25 After Missing Preseason AP Poll
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 20
Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida Projected to Reach Final Top 25 After Missing Preseason AP Poll
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 20
Summary
Three unranked teams in the preseason AP Poll — Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida — were picked to finish the 2026 season ranked by January.
Virginia Tech’s case centers on new coach James Franklin, top-five returning production, transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and a manageable schedule outside late trips to Clemson, SMU and Miami.
South Carolina is viewed as a top-25 contender despite Shane Beamer’s hot seat because the Gamecocks return top-five production and NFL-level talent led by LaNorris Sellers, Nyck Harbor and Dylan Stewart.
Florida’s outlook rests on new coach Jon Sumrall, No. 1 defensive returning production, top-10 overall continuity and a path to roughly 8-4 even with six preseason-ranked opponents.
Can massive offseason investments and multi-million dollar coaching hires truly transform unranked programs like Florida and Virginia Tech into top 25 contenders?
With NIL rosters costing up to $50 million, will college football's unchecked financial bubble burst before a salary cap is ever enforced?