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After upsetting a ranked Miami team two weeks ago and bringing home a convincing road victory over Duke this past week, both coaches and the media are starting to notice the Virginia Cavaliers, who are now sitting at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference, just half a game behind Coastal leaders Virginia Tech.
Here’s what the AP Poll looks like this week, with the Hoos checking in at what would be No. 31.
AP Top 25 - Week Nine
| Rank | Team | Overall Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Overall Record | Previous Rank |
| 1 | Alabama | 8-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Clemson | 7-0 | 3 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 7-0 | 4 |
| 4 | LSU | 7-1 | 5 |
| 5 | Michigan | 7-1 | 6 |
| 6 | Texas | 6-1 | 7 |
| 7 | Georgia | 6-1 | 8 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 6-1 | 9 |
| 9 | Florida | 6-1 | 11 |
| 10 | UCF | 7-0 | 10 |
| 11 | Ohio State | 7-1 | 2 |
| 12 | Kentucky | 6-1 | 14 |
| 13 | West Virginia | 5-1 | 13 |
| 14 | Washington State | 6-1 | 25 |
| 15 | Washington | 6-2 | 15 |
| 16 | Texas A&M | 5-2 | 17 |
| 17 | Penn State | 5-2 | 18 |
| 18 | Iowa | 6-1 | 19 |
| 19 | Oregon | 5-2 | 12 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5-2 | 23 |
| 21 | South Florida | 7-0 | 21 |
| 22 | North Carolina State | 5-1 | 16 |
| 23 | Utah | 5-2 | NR |
| 24 | Stanford | 5-2 | NR |
| 25 | Appalachian State | 5-1 | NR |
And here’s the Coaches Poll, where Virginia is at what would be No. 33.
Coaches Poll Top 25 - Week Nine
| Rank | Team | Overall Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Overall Record | Previous Rank |
| 1 | Alabama | 8-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Clemson | 7-0 | 3 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 7-0 | 4 |
| 4 | Louisiana State | 7-1 | 5 |
| 5 | Michigan | 7-1 | 7 |
| 6 | Georgia | 6-1 | 6 |
| 7 | Texas | 6-1 | 8 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 6-1 | 10 |
| 9 | Ohio State | 7-1 | 2 |
| 10 | Central Florida | 7-0 | 9 |
| 11 | Florida | 6-1 | 12 |
| 12 | West Virginia | 5-1 | 13 |
| 13 | Washington | 6-2 | 14 |
| 14 | Kentucky | 6-1 | 17 |
| 15 | Washington State | 6-1 | 23 |
| 16 | Penn State | 5-2 | 16 |
| 17 | Texas A&M | 5-2 | 18 |
| 18 | Iowa | 6-1 | 22 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5-2 | 19 |
| 20 | South Florida | 7-0 | 20 |
| 21 | Oregon | 5-2 | 11 |
| 22 | NC State | 5-1 | 15 |
| 23 | Stanford | 5-2 | 24 |
| 24 | Utah | 5-2 | NR |
| 25 | Miami | 5-2 | NR |
Virginia is receiving more votes in both polls than Virginia Tech, who is not receiving any in the AP and is getting four in the Coaches Poll.
The Hoos check in at No. 45 in the latest predictive S&P+ Rankings. The North Carolina Tar Heels are No. 90 there.
They tell you not to look ahead in the schedule, but one can’t help but notice that Virginia, just one game away from bowl eligibility, is entering a three-game home stretch against North Carolina (1-5), Pitt (3-4), and Liberty (4-3). If there’s ever a time when opportunity is knocking on the doors of Scott Stadium, this would be it.
South’s Oldest Rivalry kicks off at 12:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 27. Can Virginia keep buildings its resume against a team that has played a lot of close games, but keeps coming short? Stay tuned to Streaking the Lawn all week long.