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Blacksburg, VA — The Virginia Tech Hokies are coming off three straight disappointing offensive performances, which resulted in back-to-back losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina and an underwhelming 16-3 win over East Carolina.

No longer in the national championship picture and all but eliminated from a shot at an ACC title, the Hokies have three regular season games remaining, beginning with Maryland on Saturday.

The Terps (2-3, 2-7) are in the midst of a disappointing season and are guaranteed a losing a record; their fourth in the last six seasons. But don’t think for a minute that the Terps can’t pull off an upset and beat the Hokies on Saturday.

Sure, Maryland has only one win against Division I-A (FBS) competition; a 24-21 win over Clemson, which is poised to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division. But consider two things: 1) The Hokies are a run-first team and 2) Maryland has proven they can stop the run.

It doesn’t take a college football guru to figure out that the Terps are going to put eight guys in the box and try to stop the Hokies primary weapon, Ryan Williams. Maryland knows as well as anyone else that Tech’s passing game is suspect at best, so rather than letting Williams run wild on them (which he may very well do despite eight Terps in the box), they’ll force the Hokies to beat them with the passing game.

Through nine games, Maryland has held the opposing team’s leading rusher to less than 100 yards six times. In fact, the Terps haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in its last five games. However, they did give up an average of 283 passing yards in those six games, so even if they can stop the run, a half-way decent passing game can beat them.

Virginia Tech’s passing game will likely be the wild card in this game, much like it was for the Hokies when the played Duke. The Blue Devils threw everything at the Hokies to stop Ryan Williams and the run, but Tyrod Taylor torched Duke’s secondary for 327 yards passing in a close-than-expected 34-26 win.

The Hokies were not as successful in the passing game during back-to-back losses to Georgia Tech and Duke and the offense only managed one touchdown in a 16-3 win on the road against East Carolina.

Even when teams have tried to stop Ryan Williams, he has found a way to run through them or over them. Though he didn’t reach the end zone against ECU, Williams rushed for a career-high 179 yards and broke 16 tackles, the most by any running back at Virginia Tech since running backs coach Billy Hite arrived 32 years ago.

Here’s how Maryland’s defense compares nationally and in the ACC:

Total Defense

• 11th in the ACC (434.9 ypg)
• 84th in the country

Pass Defense

• Last in the ACC (249.4 ypg)
• 100th in the country

Rush Defense

• 8th in the ACC (141.1 ypg)
• 63rd in the country

Here’s how Ryan Williams has fared against opposing defenses in 2009:

Alabama (L) – No. 2 rushing defense
71 yards, 2 TDs

Marshall (W)- No. 83 rushing defense
164 yards, 3 TDs

Nebraska – No. 10 rushing defense
107 yards, 1 TD

Miami – No. 45 rushing defense
150 yards, 2 TDs

Duke – No. 62 rushing defense
87 yards, 0 TDs

Boston College – No. 30 rushing defense
159 yards, 1 TD

Georgia Tech – No. 49 rushing defense
100 yards, 1 TD

North Carolina – No. 8 rushing defense
96 yards, 0 TDs

East Carolina – No. 45 rushing defense
179 yards, 0 TDs

The Terrapins rushing defense is the second worst Williams will face so far this season, behind Marshall. If Tech’s offensive line can control the line of scrimmage long enough for Williams to hit his gaps, it could be another record-setting day for a Hokie running back.

Maryland knows all to well the devastation a Hokie tailback can do. Last year, Darren Evans rushed for a single-game school record 253 yards in a 23-13 win.

Kickoff is schedule for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised on the Internet via ESPN360.com. The last Terps win against the Hokies came in the 1990 season, a 20-13 win at College Park.

Popularity: 17% [?]

No. 4 Hokies look for sixth straight win in Atlanta

Blacksburg, VA — The fourth-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0, 5-1) take their hopes for a national championship on the road this weekend against ACC Coastal Division rival Georgia Tech (3-1, 5-1).

The Hokies have won five straight games since their season-opening loss to No. 2 Alabama and hope to make it six on Saturday in Atlanta. Virginia Tech leads the series against the Yellow Jackets, 4-2, and are 4-1 since joining the ACC.

Let’s take a look back at the short series between the two schools.

1990 – Two Techs Collide

The first meeting between the two Techs was on Nov. 10, 1990. The Hokies were 5-4 heading into their second-to-last game of the season. The undefeated Jackets were ranked No. 7 and the Hokies gave them all they could handle in Atlanta. Georgia Tech won the game, 6-3, and went on to finish 11-0-1 and earned a share of the National Championship with Colorado. The Hokies finished 6-5.

[Updated: I did not originally include the 2000 game that was never played, because, well, they never played it. But, I had some people tell me that I forgot it, which I didn't, but decided to throw it in anyway.]

2000 – The Game That Wasn’t

The infamous lightning game. Who could forget. It was supposed to be the season-opener for both teams. The Hokies were fresh off their 1999 undefeated (11-0) regular season and a trip to the National Championship game – a 29-46 loss to Florida State. Michael Vick was back for his second season as the starter and expectations were sky high. But, Mother Nature had other plans.

A severe lightning storm rolled through Blacksburg and struck ESPN analyst Lee Corso’s rental car parked outside the stadium. Corso picked Georgia Tech to win the game just before his car was smote. The game was nevery made up and the Hokies went on to finish the season 11-1 and whipped No. 16 Clemson, 41-20, in the Gator Bowl.

2004 – New ACC Rivals

The teams didn’t meat again until the Hokies joined the ACC in 2004. Georgia Tech jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and led 20-12 with less than six minutes to play in the game. That’s when Virginia Tech exploded for three touchdowns in just four minutes and 32 seconds.

Trailing 20-12, Hokies’ quarterback Bryan Randall hit Eddie Royal for an 80-yard touchdown on first down. A two-point conversion tied the game at 20. The Hokies got the ball back a mere 90 seconds later and used a three-play drive to get into the endzone again. This time it was Randall to Josh Morgan for a 51-yard strike putting good Tech up 27-20.

Roland Minor sealed the come-from-behind victory with a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Hokies a 34-20 win. Tech finished the season 10-3.

2005 – Going Coastal

No suspense here. This remains the only blowout of the short series between the two schools. The Hokies came in at 3-0 (2-0 ACC) and ranked No. 4. The Jackets were No. 15. The game was never close or in doubt as the Hokies jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead.

Defensive end Chris Ellis and linebacker Xavier Adibi both returned interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put GT out of its misery. Hokies romped to a 51-7 win at Lane Stadium and went on to finish the season 11-2.

2006 – Tech Wins One

The only Virginia Tech loss to the Georgia Tech in ACC play came in 2006 in Blacksburg. The 24th-ranked Yellow Jackets beat the 11th-ranked Hokies 38-27, handing Virginia Tech its first loss of the season and dropping Frank Beamer’s team to No. 22.

VT lost its next game against Boston College, a loss that knocked the Hokies out of the top 25 completely. Tech rebounded to win its final six games, giving up a combined 19 points in the six wins, which included a pair of shutouts. The Hokies finished the 2006 regular season with a 10-2 record before losing a heart-breaker to Georgia in the Chick Fil A Bowl, 24-31.

The 2006 loss to the Ramblin’ Wreck marked the last time a Virginia Tech quarterback had thrown for more than 300 yards in a game – Sean Glennon threw for 339 yards. That changed this season when Tyrod Taylor threw for 327 yards against Duke in a 34-26 win in Durham.

2007 – The Infamous Missing Jerseys

Who doesn’t remember this game? It was a Thursday night, nationally televised ESPN game and when the coverage of the game began, we learned that four Virginia Tech jerseys had mysteriously vanished. Among them, both quarterbacks – Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon. The two had to wear old Georgia Tech practice jerseys with black marker used to write in their names and numbers.

It worked, though. The 6-2 Hokies fell behind 3-0 midway through the first quarter, but that’s all Georgia Tech would get. Virginia Tech scored the next 27 points in a dominating 27-3 win. Hokie fans everywhere started asking if Glennon, who completed 22 of 32 passes for 296 yards and two TDs, could wear the GT practice jersey the rest of the season. No dice, said the ACC.

The Hokies finished the season 11-3, including another heartbreaking loss to Kansas in the Orange Bowl, 24-21.

Watch highlights of the 2007 game.

2008 – The Costly Personal Foul

The Yellow Jackets came into Blacksburg last season with their new triple option offense that was going to wreak havoc on defensive coordinators. It was only the third game of the season for both teams, so the Hokies didn’t have much game film of the new Paul Johnson offense.

And truth be told, the Yellow Jackets probably should have won this game, but they didn’t. They put up 387 yards to the Hokies’ 247, but fumbled the ball twice and threw an interception. The Hokies didn’t turn the ball over at all.

Georgia Tech was playing better for the most part, but the Hokies were the more disciplined team that day. The Jackets committed eight penalties for 61 yards, none more costly than the 15-yard personal foul call in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 17.

On third down and 7 from Tech’s 23, Tyrod Taylor sprinted toward his own sideline, well short of the first down marker. The Hokies were going to have to punt, but out of nowhere came Georgia Tech’s Cooper Taylor with a late hit on Tyrod. The penalty gave the Hokies an automatic first down and 15 more yards, which they used to march down the field and kick the game-winning field goal.

Watch highlights of the 2008 game.

That brings us to this year’s game. The Jackets are much improved and have perfected the triple option. They lead ACC teams in total offense and rushing offense and have two running backs, as well as a quarterback, who can bust open a big play at any moment.

What the Jackets lack is solid defense. Last week, they gave up 44 points to a bad Florida State team. If they don’t make significant improvements from last week to this week, it may not make any difference how many points their offense can put up.

The Virginia Tech offense has reeled off three straight impressive performances. In wins against No. 9 Miami, Duke and Boston College, the Hokies are averaging 38 points and 429 yards a game (219 rushing / 210 passing).

Georgia Tech is a running team, plain and simple. They are dead last in passing offense in the ACC and the only team in the conference to have fewer than 100 pass attempts (75). However, when they do pass, they are highly efficient. In fact, they lead the ACC in passing efficiency with a rating of 169. The Hokies are second with a rating of 164.

If Frank Beamer and the Hokies are going to win this game, defensive coordinator Bud Foster must figure out how to stop the triple option and still be prepared to defend the pass. Should the Hokies’s offense come out and play like they have in the last three games, I think the Hokies win this game, especially if Georgia Tech’s defense can’t get its act together.

Kickoff: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Announcers: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Bob Davie (color analyst)

Popularity: 10% [?]

Virginia Tech wide receiver Jarrett Boykin scores a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Gary Cope)

Blacksburg, VA — The Boston College Eagles are on a roll. They’re 4-1 and coming off back-to-back home wins over Wake Forest and Florida State. They have a 25-year-old rookie quarterback who is getting better each week. The have beaten Virginia Tech the last three times the two teams have met in the regular season, although the Hokies have won two straight ACC championship games at the Eagles’ expense.

Tomorrow at noon, the Eagles will try to make it four straight regular season wins when they travel to Blacksburg to take on the 5th ranked Hokies. Tech is suddenly back in the national champtionship hunt after reeling off four straight wins including a dominating 31-7 win over then-No. 9 Miami on national TV and a dramatic 16-15 win over Nebraska.

Frank Beamer’s team is a heavy favorite to win on Saturday, but Hokie fans aren’t so sure. They remember the heartbreaking loss at home two years ago that dashed their hopes at a national championship. Sure, the ACC titles help make up for it, but the Hokies have lost eight ACC games in five seasons since joining the conferece; three of those losses are courtesy of the Eagles.

While the Eagles have played beyond expectations, they are still a very vulnerable team. Their four wins have come against Northeastern (54-0), Kent State (34-7), Wake Forest (27-24, OT) and Florida State (28-21). Northeastern and Kent State aren’t necessarily top level competition, though the Eagles did what they should have done – blow them out. BC’s one loss was on the road against Clemson in which the offense managed a total of 54 yards in a 26-7 defeat.

BC then blew fourth quarter leads against Wake and FSU, but pulled out wins in both games. Wake Forest is 3-2, but their wins are less than impressive: Stanford, Elon and N.C. State. Florida State is off to its worst start (2-3) since Bobby Bowden’s first year on the job. The Noles have lost to Miami, Wake and most recently, a terrible home loss to South Florida, who had a freshman quarterback.

While the first-year head coach Frank Spaziani has the Eagles are playing better than expected, they haven’t proven they can keep up with better competition. Clemson manhandled them on offense and BC’s defense broke down in horrific fashion against the Decons and the Noles. However, if they can pull it together on Saturday and shock the Hokies, the Eagles will certainly jump up in the polls and deservedly so.

Meanhwile, the Hokies have had an inconsistent-at-best season thus far. The offense struggled against Alabama and Nebraska early in the season, but woke up against Miami and then again against Duke.

Normally, you wouldn’t think putting up big numbers against Duke would be a big deal, but considering the Hokies’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor passed for 327 yards – the most in three seasons – and that a wide receiver, Jarrett Boykin, was the first Tech wide receiver to have more than 100 yards receiving in a game since Eddie Royal in 2007, it was certainly an impressive showing for a passing attack that has been dormant for two seasons.

Should the Hokies continue their offensive output as they have in the last two games, it could be a long day for the Eagles. The big question mark for the Hokies, and it almost sounds sacriligious to say, is their defense. Bud Foster has a young and inexperienced bunch and they have struggled at times this season, especially last week against Duke in which they gave up 26 points.

Rest assured the Hokies will come ready to play. They have lost three straight to the Eagles in the regular season and will not allow Boston College to sneak up on them this season.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Virginia Tech flanker and kick returner Dyrell Roberts is listed as “probable” for the Hokies’ game against Duke.

As the No. 6 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies prepare to play their first Atlantic Coast Conference road game of the season against Duke, head coach Frank Beamer is probably hoping to give some of his key players a chance to heal.

The weekly ACC injury report was released earlier today and the Hokies have four big names that could use a game off.

Offensive tackle Blake DeChristopher (ankle), rover Davon Morgan (shoulder), flanker Dyrell Roberts (hamstring) and defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor (calf) are all listed as “probable” for Saturday’s game against the Blue Devils. However, unless Tech comes out and struggles, don’t expect these guys to see much action.

For starters, the Hokies want to rest these guys and have them ready for some of the tougher games down the road. Secondly, Beamer is always looking to get his second team as much playing time as possible.

DeChristopher was the ACC’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week after leading Tech’s running attack to a dominating performance against then-No. 9 Miami.

Popularity: 3% [?]

This Saturday at noon, the No. 6 ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (3-1, 1-0) will take on the Duke Blue Devils (2-2, 0-0) in Durham, N.C., and Tech’s Stephan Virgil can’t wait.

Virginia Tech senior cornerback Stephan Virgil returned to action against Miami after missing the Marshall and Nebraska games with an injury.

Virgil has played well in the state of North Carolina since his arrival in Blacksburg. The Rocky Mount, N.C., native blocked a punt against Duke in 2007. Last year in Charlotte, he picked up a botched lateral against East Carolina and returned it for a touchdown. In the same game, he blocked a point after try and returned it 90 yards for two points in the Hokies’ favor. Later in in 2008, Virgil secured a 20-17 win at North Carolina with an interception in the final minutes.

Though the Hokies’ surprising offensive domination against No. 9 Miami on national TV stole the headlines, Virginia Tech’s defense took a major step forward against a very talented Hurricanes’ offense. And it’s no coincidence that the return of Virgil to the lineup made a huge difference.

Virgil was injured in the Hokies’ season-opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide and missed the next two games against Marshall and Nebraska. When he returned for the Miami game, he made his presence known with six tackles including one for a loss and some big time hits.

While he may not exactly be the epitome of a shut-down corner, when he’s on the field, offensive coordinators have a tendency to look to the other side of the field. Virgil had six interceptions last year. If Duke decides to be aggressive in the passing game on Saturday, look for Virgil to step in front of a couple of passes and maybe even take one back to the house. He has only played two games, but he’s hungry for his first pick of the season.

With regards to the game against Duke on Saturday, the Hokies appear to be a clear favorite to win the game. They’ve won the last eight meeting against the Blue Devils and in the five meetings between the two programs as ACC rivals, the Hokies have shut the Devils out twice and last season held them to just a field goal. With Tech’s defensive showing signs of returning to its top-10 form, it could be a long day for Duke coach David Cutcliffe.

Offensively, Duke will have to contend with Tech’s freshman phenom Ryan Williams, the nation’s sixth leading rusher, as well as the ACC’s leading rusher, scorer and three-time conference Rookie of the Week. Williams ran roughshod over Marshall, Nebraska and then Miami. And thanks to an offensive line that finally seems to be putting it together, Williams could see a career day in Durham.

And don’t forget the Hokies’ other freshman running back David Wilson, who averages 9 yards per carry and 43 yards per game as a back up. He’s also proven that he’s a dangerous kick returner.

The bottom line is that if the Hokies play a complete game like they did last week against Miami, then we could be looking at the Hokies putting up a 50-spot on the Blue Devils. That’s a big “if,” though. Last year, the heavily favored Hokies managed just one offensive touchdown in their own stadium in a 14-3 win. That was mostly due to five first-half turnovers. Tech moved the ball well, they just couldn’t hold onto it.

Turnovers, however, have not been a problem for Virginia Tech so far this season (knock on wood). Tyrod Taylor has only thrown one interception and has yet to lose a fumble. In fact, the Hokies as a team have only turned the ball over four times in four games. Two fumbles against Alabama; one interception against Marshall; zero turnovers against Nebraska; and one fumble against Miami. Outside of the INT, the three lost fumbles have come on kick or punt returns, not from the running backs.

The Blue Devils are a much-improved team and it wouldn’t come as any surprise if they gave the Hokies more of a game than most would expect. But the attitude coming out of the Tech locker room is that of a team dead focused on a making a point to the rest of league … at Duke’s expense.

Pregame Notes (PDF)

Popularity: 2% [?]

First year Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe promised to field a more competitive football team this season and so far, they’re not doing too badly. The Blue Devils are 2-2 with impressive wins over Army and North Carolina Central.

Their two losses are to Richmond – the reigning Division I-A (Football Championship Subdivision) champions – and Kansas, a respectable Big 12 team.

So, you’d think that with a .500 record and the No. 6 team in the country coming to town in the form of the Virginia Tech Hokies, Duke fans would be clamoring to get tickets for this game. Apparently not. Duke’s athletics department issued a statement today announcing there were still plenty of tickets for sale to the game this Saturday, Oct. 3, against the Hokies. Subsequently, Virginia Tech’s athletics department posted an announcement on its site – hokiesports.com – letting its fans know that they could get tickets to the game.

Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hokies are 5-0 against the Blue Devils. Tech averages 38.5 points a game and only gives up 6.8, including a pair of shutouts. Those stats alone would likely deter the casual Duke fan from showing up on Saturday but let’s not forget that last year’s team went into Blacksburg against the eventual ACC champs and held the Hokies to just 14 points; and only seven of those came from the Hokies’ offense. Tech won 14-3 despite five turnovers, but Duke had the ball late in the game, trailing 7-3, until Tech cornerback Victor Macho Harris intercepted a pass at the Duke 23 yard line and returned it for a touchdown to seal the victory.

Undoubtedly, there will be college football “experts” that will pick the Hokies in a romp, but Duke has a solid team that has matured through the first four games of the season. They are better coached, at home and it won’t come as a surprise if they give the Hokies a serious fight. This is far from a “gimme” game for Virginia Tech and the players on last year’s squad know that – they nearly lost that game.

If Frank Beamer and his team come out ready to play as they did in their 31-7 upset of then No. 9 ranked Miami, then Duke will have a tough time stopping Tech’s juggernaut of a running game led by an improved offensive line and the ACC’s leading rushers and scorer, redshirt freshman Ryan Williams.

If you are interested in tickets for the game, here is the information provided by HokieSports.com:

The Duke University Athletics Ticket Office still has tickets available for Hokie fans traveling to Durham as Virginia Tech makes its only visit to the Triangle area this season. The Hokies and Blue Devils will clash this Saturday in an ACC Coastal Division match-up at noon and tickets are only $40. To purchase your tickets, call the Duke University Athletics Ticket Office at 877-375-3853 or order online at GoDuke.com.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The weekly ACC injury report is out and it looks like senior tight end Greg Boone will play tomorrow against the 19th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers. He is listed as probable.

Boone missed the Marshall game with an SC joint sprain (shoulder) after delivering an impressive crack-back block on a Ryan Williams run that set up a touchdown against Alabama. Hopefully Boone will be up for some blocking because the Hokies offensive line will need all the help they can get against Nebraska’s monster defensive line, led by All Big 12 defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Senior cornerback Stephan Virgil is listed as questionable for the Hokies with a knee injury. Like Boone, Virgil also injured his knee against Alabama and missed the Marshall game. Freshman Jayron Hosley stepped in an played some cornerback against Marshall, but the Hokies will need some help this week. Expect Bud Foster to put a lot of pressure on Nebraska’s inexperienced quarterback and provide a lot of safety help to the corners to help defend against NU’s big receivers.

*Weekly ACC Injury Report

*Injury reports are optional.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Blacksburg, VA, Nov. 22, 2008 – Once again, the Virginia Tech Hokies (6-4, 3-3) find themselves in control of their own ACC Coastal Division destiny. All the Hokies must do to make the ACC Championship game for the third time in four years is beat Duke (4-6, 1-5) and Virginia at home. And, they have a healthy Tyrod Taylor back in the mix.

Duke started off the season 3-1 with impressive wins over JMU, Navy and a 31-3 whipping of Virginia. Since that un-Duke-like beginning, the Blue Devils have gone 1-5 – their only win against a Vanderbilt. Duke’s ACC record is 1-5.

While Duke is a much improved team, Virginia Tech should … key word being “should” … not struggle in this game, especially at home. Nine days after a disappointing 14-16 loss at Miami that featured the most head-scratching offensive play-calling of the season. The criticism of offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring had for much of the season been confined to fans, message boards and call-in shows. But on Wednesday, Hokies’ lineback Purnell Sturdivant openly questioned Stinespring’s play calling telling reporters “I have a couple friends at Carolina, a couple friends at N.C. State, things like that, they’re pretty much just calling out the plays that we’re going to run on offense. Our offense is pretty much predictable. You know what you’re going to see each and every week.”

Even if Duke knows what to expect in today’s matchup, I have a tough time believing that they can actually stop Tech from executing enough to win the game. Tech’s defense has played well most of the season and expect no let down against the Dookies. The offense, with any luck, will be ticked off and ready to crack some skulls. Look for the O-line to reestablish it’s blocking schemes, which will open the door for Darren Evans to have another 100-plus yard game.

Tech has not lost to Duke since joining the ACC in 2004. In fact, the Hokies have dominted Duke in the four games, outscoring the Devils 165-31. It’s going to a be a cold one folks, so make sure you bundle up and stay warm! Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m., just as the sun sets.

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s Miami night! Alright, let’s cut straight to the chase. This game has the makings of an instant classic, at least in terms of the Hokies-Canes rivalry. Both teams look eerily similar in that both offenses have struggled for much of the season but have come on strong in their last games and both defenses are stout and can cause a lot of problems for opposing offenses.

I know Miami is still a tough team and they are actually tied for first place in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, but they’ve struggled mightily on offense this season and with two freshmen QBs, I really like Virginia Tech’s chances in this game. It just seems to me that Bud Foster and his aggressive lunchpail kids will be licking their chops to get at UM’s dynamic QB duo of Robert Marve (6-1, 210) and Jacory Harris (6-4, 185), both redshirt freshman.

Marve is the starter, but has thrown three more INTS (10) than TD passes (7). If the Hokies can create the same smothering pass rush against the Canes that they did against Maryland (-28 yards rushing), it could be a long night for Miami’s signal callers. The U’s offensive line, by the way, gives up more than two sacks a game. Back to Miami’s QBs, Tech fans should be more concerned with Harris who has led Miami to a pair of come-from-behind wins against Duke and UVA. He has a much better TD/INT ratio – 7/3.

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It seems like forever ago since the Hokies played a home game. In fact it has been more than a month since Tech last played at Lane Stadium – Oct. 4, a 27-13 win over Western Kentucky. Frank Beamer and the boys have actually played four of their last five games on the road and the last two games have been rough for the Hokies – two losses and two injured quarterbacks.

The back-to-back losses dropped the Hokies from first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division to a tie for fifth with North Carolina. But, it’s not as bad as it seems. All but one team in the Coastal Division (Duke, 1-3) have two losses. The only reason the Hokies are tied for fifth is because they’ve only played four conference games. Georgia Tech, which leads the Coastal is 4-2 in ACC play, but the Hokies have the tie-breaker against the Jackets and the Tar Heels (2-2). And if the good Tech can take care of business against Maryland, UVA, Duke and Miami, they won’t need tiebreakers. They’re the only team in the Coastal Division that controls their own destiny. Win out and they play for the ACCCG. Lose any of those games and they’ll need help.

Tonight’s game against Maryland will not be an easy one for Tech. Maryland (6-2, 3-1) is in first place in the Atlantic Division and are probably the most balanced team Tech will face all season. Their offense can score in bunches and their defense, while not overly aggressive, is steady and reliable. The only knock on Maryland is the “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome. This is a team that lost on the road to Middle Tennessee State (2-6, 1-3), 24-14, and then got smoked in C’ville, 31-0, one week after upsetting Clemson in Death Valley.

Tech’s defense should come ready to play and they’ll need to. Maryland’s offensive line is full of veterans and is one of the best in the conference, if not THE best. They’re big and strong and can wear defensive lines down. The question mark for Maryland is whether or not they’ll have Da’Rel Scott, their 100-yards-a-game running back. Even without him, the Terps have a potent passing attack that average about 200 yards a game. Their receivers are big, strong and experienced, which could spell trouble for the Hokies’ secondary, which has been burned this season by the big pass plays.

Of course, the great unknown for this game is who will start at QB for the Hokies. Against Florida State, a 20-30 loss, the Hokies lost Tyrod Taylor (Soph.) to a high ankle sprain on the first play of the game. Backup Sean Glennon (r-Sr.) came in and played very well, going 9 for 16 for 133 yards before leaving the game with an ankle sprain. For the last week and a half, third string QB Cory Holt (r-Sr.) has been taking first team reps and looks like he’ll get the start with Glennon as the emergency backup. Don’t look for Tyrod to play in this game – they’re saving him for Miami.

As an emergency to the emergency backup, former high school QB and now mammoth tight end Greg Boone was taking snaps at QB during the last week or so, though our reports indicate he did not attempt any passes, only running plays. Can you say “wildcat formation?”

The last time Virginia Tech started a third string QB was back in 1997 when Nick Sorenson (now a safety with the Cleveland Browns) moved from defense to offense when the Hokies lost their top two QBs to injury. The Hokies won the game 17-0, but only thanks to the defense and specials teams (sound familiar?). But, let’s give Holt some credit here – he’s not Nick Sorenson.

Holt has been in the Tech system for five years now and most of that has been at the QB spot, so he knows the offense and is quite capable of stepping in and running it, as long as the coaches scale it down to fit his strengths. If they try to make him a pocket passer, it won’t end well. But, if they can get the running game going and keep the Terps’ defense honest, Holt showed he can throw the ball against FSU. When pressed into service against the Noles, he led the Hokies on a fourth-quarter scoring drive, completing 3 of 6 passes for 28 yards and a 4-yard TD pass to tight end Andre Smith. He also had a big first down run to extend the drive.

Tech’s offense has struggled the last two games, even with Taylor and Glennon. The Boston College and FSU games saw Tech’s lowest offensive totals of the season. Tech’s offense is now ranked 113th in the country (out of 119 teams). Bryan Stinespring supporters can twist the stats how they want, but the numbers speak for themselves. It’s not good.

Adding to that, through eight games this season, no wide receiver for Tech has caught a touchdown pass. Also, the Hokies don’t have a single 100-yard rushing game from a running back this season. Tyrod Taylor has two 100+ yard games. The last time Tech had a 100-yard rusher in a game was Brandon Ore against Kansas in last season’s Orange Bowl.

With the top two QBs out and our second string RB (Kenny Lewis, Jr.) done for the season, it’s hard to imagine the Hokies getting things going on offense now. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t do it.

Look, this game comes down to what Rick “Doc” Walker likes to call a “manhood” issue. Forget the stats and the last two games. Those are in the past. It’s a four-game season from here and it starts tonight, Thursday night. A night that the Hokies have pretty much owned the last 15 years. In fact, the last two games the Hokies have played against the Terrapins have been on Thursday nights and both were relatively easy wins for the Hokies (55-6 in ‘04, 28-9 in ‘05).

Tech is coming home after a long road trip to play in front of 65,000 raucous fans who are dying for some good news. The fans are frustrated and they’re going to take it out on Maryland. Tech is beat up and their backs are against the wall. Tonight we find out how they will respond. Personally, I think they’re going to show us something tonight. I think the offense will find a way to put enough points on the board to win this game. I think the defense and special teams dig deep and make a statement tonight, not just to Maryland, but also to Miami, Duke and Virginia.

It won’t be pretty, but the crowd will help pick up the slack. Maryland’s already proven that they can lose in disturbing fashion on the road (MTSU and UVA).

The key to this game is Tech’s defense and whether or not they can get pressure on steady, but not spectacular QB Chris Turner, who for the most part doesn’t make many mistakes. The only problem is MD’s offensive line, which only gives up 1.38 sacks a game. If Tech can get to Turner, or at least pressure him, that’s when the Hokies are at their best. The secondary, while young for the most part, excels at making the most of the other team’s mistakes.

My prediction – Hokies 20, Terps 17

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