Depending on where you are, we typically don't see much activity to mid/late January. That said, I have seen more bucks this year than any I can recall. Seen some folks around here killing some good ones too.
The lack of acorns has led to more good buck activity so far that is certain. As to the rut, I've hunted the same property around Sardis for 40+ years and nothing has really changed much in all those years. Around Christmas, or shortly there after, the pre-rut will kick off. The first week or so of January will have a lot of bucks roaming looking for a hot doe. The middle two weeks look for does and hope one is hot and has the boss buck locked up on her. The last part of Jan. and the rest of the season is really big buck killing time. They will be the ones with energy left to roam and look for the leftover hot does. The avererage to young bucks can be easily killed in this time in food plots eating to get their strength back.