Top 25 teams: No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies

8. VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES

2008 record: 10-4

Returning starters offense/defense: 9/7

Strength: The foundation of this year’s Hokies will be, once again, the defense. Last year was thought to be a rebuilding campaign with a very young roster, but Tech overcame a season-opening loss to East Carolina and managed a top-10 nationally ranked defense, an ACC championship and a win at the Orange Bowl. The nucleus of that defense — physically gifted returning starters such as DE Jason Worilds, FS Kam Chancellor and CB Stephan Virgil — is back, a year older and wiser.

Weakness: For VT, the difference between a conference championship contender and a national championship could very well rest on the Hokies’ ability to pass. QB Tyrod Taylor has proven himself as a running threat, but the Hokies already have a backfield full of rushing talent. Taylor (834 yards rushing, but only 1,036 passing) needs to raise his air game, not just to lift his stock as a dual-threat presence under center, but also to keep opposing defenses on their heels.

Biggest star: Worilds, a 240-pound junior rush end, is the fastest big man — and arguably the most athletic — in the conference. He’s nimble enough to block kicks and catch quarterbacks, but also sturdy enough to stuff the run. The ACC’s top returning sack-specialist who had eight last season is a candidate to lead the nation in sacks this season — provided he can stay healthy after an offseason shoulder surgery.

Rising star: Ryan Williams, a true freshman out of Manassas, Va., stole the backfield spotlight from 1,300-yard returning tailback Darren Evans in the spring game by amassing 151 total yards and touchdown. Last year’s No. 4-overall ranked prep RB appears to have too much talent and explosiveness to keep on the sidelines and should push for immediate playing time — and make an immediate impact.

Toughest game: Hokie fans won’t need to wait long to see where their team stands in the national picture. Tech opens the season against Alabama at the Chick-fil-A College Kickoff on Sept. 5 in Atlanta. A win against the equally promising Crimson Tide would instantly push Virginia Tech into the upper echelon of national championship contenders. A loss to Alabama, and especially a bad loss, could be an early warning of yet another year of mediocrity for the ACC.