BCS Rankings: Virginia Tech Can Thank Frank Beamer for Its Lofty Ranking

I am beyond shocked at the latest ranking for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

After another solid victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels, they are now fifth in the BCS standings.

All of the credit goes to head coach Frank Beamer.

Despite losing a bevy of seniors, despite starting a sophomore at QB, despite the sudden emergence of Clemson...once again the Hokies are on track to win the ACC and be the conference's representative in the BCS.

Beamer has played to the strengths of QB Logan Thomas.

He has thrown for 2,338 yards and 16 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. There have been lots of slants and curls, with the occasional shot downfield. It's nothing too complicated and it has allowed Thomas to mature before our eyes without it affecting the rest of the team.

Team MVP David Wilson has ran for 1,442 yards and seven touchdowns as Beamer feeds him the rock around 20 times a game.

At 29.1 points per game, the Hokies are a middle-of-the-road 51st in the nation. It's the disciplined defense that is leading the way. Allowing a mere 16.9 points a game, Virginia Tech can say they have the 10th-best defense in the nation.

They have won four straight Coastal Division titles and are a fixture in BCS bowls. They do it every year with a talent pool that isn't nearly on the same level as the SEC. How many NFL players can you name that were V-Tech alums aside from Michael Vick?

Sure V-Tech had a cupcake schedule out of conference, and the losses of a bevy of top-10 teams are a big help, but the consistency in Blacksburg is one for the ages. Expect them to be the last man standing when the dust settles on the ACC. Up-and-coming Virginia is the next challenger, but the Cavaliers can't hang with the smarter, more experienced and deeper Hokies.

All of the credit goes to the longest tenured coach in college football.