Ranking Virginia Tech Football's 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

For the fourth time in five seasons, the Virginia Tech Hokies won double-digit games and reached a BCS bowl game. Now that they return 12 starters from last year's squad, the Hokies hope to continue that success and compete for a possible BCS National Championship.

But despite the questions on the offensive side of the ball, there is a tough schedule that this team has to deal with once the season begins. Playing other top teams such as Clemson, Miami and Florida State, among others, is really going to test Frank Beamer's club once again.

With the season rapidly approaching, here are the easiest and toughest opponents on the 2012 Virginia Tech Hokies schedule.

12. Vs. Austin Peay

Last year's record: 3-8

Returning starters: N/A

The Hokies got off to an unusual slow start last season, letting teams stay in the game a lot longer than they should have. Playing teams such as Austin Peay in the beginning of the season should not be much of a challenge for this team. This is by far the easiest game of the year for Virginia Tech.

11. Vs. Bowling Green

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 17

Bowling Green returns a majority of its starters from last year, but it struggled heavily at times on both sides of the ball. The Falcons are also 0-4 against ranked teams in the last three seasons. I highly doubt this team has the talent to go into Blacksburg and pull off an upset.

10. Vs. Duke

Last year's record: 3-9

Returning starters: 16

Duke turned the ball over four times in last year's meeting and still only lost the game by four points. Even with the Blue Devils returning eight starters on each side of the ball, this team was awfully bad last year, winning only three games and being ranked in the 90s in scoring offense and scoring defense. The Hokies have won the last 11 meetings against Duke.

9. At Boston College

Last year's record: 4-8

Returning starters: 18

Virginia Tech has won the last four meetings against Boston College and is 14-6 all-time. The Golden Eagles may return the most starters in the conference, but they lost their two most important players.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly has moved on to the NFL and leading rusher Montel Harris has been dismissed from the team. Boston College has upset potential, but it's going to be difficult without those two difference makers on the roster.

8. At Cincinnati

Last year's record: 10-3

Returning starters: 10

Cincinnati had another productive season in the Big East, winning double-digit games for the fourth time in five years. The problem with this year's squad is that only 10 starters are returning, and the Bearcats are stuck trying to find a quarterback, fill in a secondary and find playmakers on offense. 

7. At North Carolina

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 13

The Tar Heels were one of the more inconsistent teams in the country last year, losing five of their last seven games. This season, North Carolina has a new head coach and a defense that is switching to a 4-2-5 scheme.

Needless to say, there are a lot of questions surrounding this team heading into 2012. Virginia Tech has won seven of the last eight meetings against North Carolina.

6. At Pittsburgh

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 13

Pittsburgh only won six games last year, but four of those seven losses were decided by four points or less. The Panthers return eight starters on the offensive side of the ball, which is huge because quarterback Tino Sunseri has shown glimpses of what he is capable of, and running back Ray Graham has the potential to be one of the top backs in the country.

With this game being played at Heinz Field, you have to give the Panthers a shot to pull off the upset.

5. Vs. Virginia

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 11

Virginia Tech has won 12 of the last 13 meetings against Virginia, but the Cavaliers have quickly made progress under head coach Mike London. They of course are not as talented as the Hokies, but they do the little things right and find ways to win football games. Virginia also has one of the deepest backfields in the country led by senior Perry Jones.

4. Vs. Georgia Tech

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 15

The Yellow Jackets return a majority of their starters, including dual-threat quarterback Tevin Washington, who will once again carry this offense.

Last year's matchup showed just how dangerous this Georgia Tech team can be, as it went back and forth until the Hokies pulled away in the fourth quarter. Virginia Tech has won four of the last five meetings, but Georgia Tech is not a team to sleep on in 2012.

3. At Miami

Last year's record: 6-6

Returning starters: 10

Who would have ever expected more than 1,000 combined total yards in last year's matchup between these two teams? This season, it should include a lot more defensive action, as both teams are rebuilding on the offensive side of the ball.

Miami returns six starters from a defense that finished ranked 45th in the country. The Hokies have won seven of the last nine against the Hurricanes, but Miami is never a team that should be counted out, especially with the game being played in Miami Gardens.

2. At Clemson

Last year's record: 10-4

Returning starters: 13

Virginia Tech lost twice to Clemson last season, once in Blacksburg and the other time in the ACC Championship. This time, the game will take place in Clemson, and it is pretty much the same exact Tigers team from a year ago.

A total of six starters return from an offense that averaged 34 points per game and scored a combined 61 in two games against the Hokies.

1. Vs. Florida State

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: 14

Florida State returns eight starters from a top-five defense from a year ago and has a senior quarterback leading the way on offense. These games are always well played, as both teams are defensive-minded and play with a physical style.

This game will likely have a lot on the table, as both teams should be highly ranked when they meet. The Seminoles have won 13 of the last 15 meetings against the Hokies.