Hogs’ Bielema meant to rank Virginia Tech

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema watches from the sideline during a game against Missouri on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Columbia, Mo.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema watches from the sideline during a game against Missouri on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Columbia, Mo.

Coach Bret Bielema said at his Sunday evening press conference that he thought he had Virginia Tech ranked in the teens in his final poll, but it turns out the Hokies were mistakenly omitted from his final regular-season ballot for the USA Today Coaches poll.

"I don't want to speak out of turn, but I think I had them at 17 or 21?" Bielema said. "But they are in there. If they aren't, then we need to file a grievance."

The Arkansas athletic department issued a statement on Sunday night after Bielema was asked about Virginia Tech not being on his ballot.

"When submitting Head Football Coach Bret Bielema's top 25 poll this morning, our Communications Director inadvertently omitted Virginia Tech from Coach Bielema's ballot," the statement read. "After watching last night's ACC Championship Game, Coach Bielema indicated he wanted to move Virginia Tech up from its No. 17 position in the poll he submitted last week into the top 15 this week.

"Neither our Communications Director nor Coach Bielema were aware of the oversight until tonight's press conference. Coach Bielema takes great pride in being part of the coaches' poll and thoroughly goes over the national results every week before developing his vote. The Arkansas Razorbacks sincerely apologize to the Virginia Tech football program and the coaches' poll for the mistake in submitting that vote this week."

-- Democrat-Gazette Services

Sports on 12/05/2016

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