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College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 9

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Washington won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 27, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips (5) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips (5) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia Tech survived a test at Pittsburgh on Thursday night to move to 6-2 on the season. Jerod Evans had a career-high 406 passing yards, threw two touchdowns, and added 33 rushing yards to spark the offense. The Hokies defense allowed 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Pitt running back James Conner, but snagged an interception and recovered a fumble to win the turner battle. The victory made the Hokies bowl-eligible for the 24th straight season and kept them in the ACC Coastal driver’s seat.

The earlier win over North Carolina could prove pivotal at the end of the year, as both are tied atop the division. For the Hokies to reach the ACC title game in Fuente’s first season after replacing Frank Beamer, they just need to close out a November slate against opponents that will all be scrambling to reach bowl eligibility. A road game against Duke and home games against Georgia Tech and Virginia close out conference play. In between the Georgia Tech game and the Commonwealth Cup, the Hokies face Notre Dame in South Bend.

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