Go ahead: Crown 'em

Still, why not more love this preseason for Georgia Tech? The Yellow Jackets tied the Hokies atop the Coastal Division last season and return 17 starters, among them the ACC player of the year, running back Jonathan Dwyer.

Or Florida State? The Seminoles whipped Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl last year, defeated Virginia Tech during the regular season and seem stacked on offense.


Nope, it's a Hokies world and we're just along for the ride. Not even Beamer, who by game week will be calling Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy a Joe Namath-Ken Stabler cross, could contain his enthusiasm.

Like any good evangelist, Beamer began slowly, warming up the congregation. He called the preseason chatter "legit" and pronounced himself "excited."

"Last year I thought there was a lot of us in the ACC that were about the same," Beamer continued, "and I think every team in the ACC is going to be better. … We were just fortunate in the end to play well in the ACC championship game and the Orange Bowl. …

"I think we're a step closer to affecting the national level. Last year I didn't think we had a great team in the ACC. We had a lot of good teams. I think we're all stepping it up a notch, and so I think we're getting closer to affecting the national stage. Whichever one comes out of the ACC. But we've got a lot of competition there."

By session's close, Beamer was rolling.

"I do like this football team," he said, emphasizing the second word. "I like their character as a group. I like the way they respect other people. I like the way you like being around them. I like their work habits. So there's a lot of things there that I think point toward good chemistry for this football team."

Chemistry + talent = Pasadena.

Poor Tim Tebow won't stand a chance.

Hokies' schedule

Sept. 5: vs. Alabama, 8 p.m. ABC 8 13

Sept. 12: vs. Marshall, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: vs. Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Sept. 26: vs. Miami

Oct. 3: at Duke

Oct. 10: vs. Boston College

Oct. 17: at Georgia Tech

Oct. 29: vs. North Carolina, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Nov. 5: at East Carolina, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Nov. 14: at Maryland

Nov. 21: vs. N.C. State

Nov. 28: at Virginia

On Page 5

• Preseason All-ACC team.

David Teel can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/teeltime.