Does heading back to Atlanta bother you, with you all being 0-2 there this year?
“This is just another game that we get to play on our schedule. I am looking forward to going in there and turning it around from the first [two] times we went to Atlanta.”

Do you think this is a good example to showcase the ACC?
“This is a very good example to showcase our talent, and show what the ACC has talent-wise. In the ACC, we know we have a lot of talent and we are just looking to go out there and prove it.”

Does this game get that much more hyped with how energized both fan bases are?
“I didn’t know this was going to be as big as it was when it comes to the fans. I’m looking forward to this challenge. I know a couple guys on their team, and it is going to be a great game.”

Two teams are very hot going into this game, how great of a game is this going to be?
“It’s going to be a great game. I’m looking forward to it because they have a lot of talent out there, and it is all going to come down to who wants it more at the end of the day.”

How does it feel to quarterback a team that has had this many 10-win seasons?
“It feels great. It is a confidence booster, and it helps the recruitment with guys coming in next year to a team that [may have] won two bowl games, and is always in a bowl game. That means a lot for the program.”

Have you looked at your records this season?
“No I haven’t. I’ll probably sit down and think about that after the season is over. Right now I am just worried about getting to this bowl game, staying healthy, getting bigger, faster and stronger going to the bowl game.”

How do you feel now that the regular season is behind you, and you had such a good year?
“I don’t think the season is over. I am just still trying to continue to be the best quarterback I can be going into this game. They have a very talented defense, and I think I can go out there and try to showcase my talents against their defense.”

How much does a win in this bowl game propel you next season?
“I think [it would] be big for the confidence of the team. To go out there with 10 wins and finish on a strong note heading into spring ball with everyone on the same page. Just getting pretty much the same team we had last year, it gives everybody a lot of confidence.”

LB Cody Grimm
The fan bases have wanted this match-up for a long time. Can you talk about that?
“You always hear the rumors about us and Tennessee playing, all the hype that would be around it if that game were to ever actually happen. Now we actually get a chance to play them. Just being around Blacksburg for five years now and meeting people from Southwest Virginia, you are either a Tennessee fan or a Tech fan. We are excited for an opportunity to play them, and we just have to go play our heart out.”

What is the importance of going out on a good note?
“It is exciting to play a good team, and there will be a bunch of fans there. This is going to be a big game for us. Some bowl games are bigger than others, but as for getting to 10 wins, that will give us momentum heading into next year. It will kind of sum up our season if we can get a win, we can come out and finish with 10 wins against and finish as a top-10 team.

Does both teams hot streaks factor into this game?
“It definitely factors in a little bit, but bowl games are different. You have that break in between that is a month long where you are not playing football and practicing every day. What we need to do is just come back and try to pick up where we left off, and try to do everything as quickly as we possibly can.”

How do you feel about playing in Atlanta?
“Being to Atlanta three times, you think you would get sick of it, but it is a great place. We went to a bowl game there four years, and the Georgia Dome is a fun place as well. When you go during the season, you don’t really get to experience it, all you really see is the hotel and the stadium. So it’s not like going to Atlanta and getting sick of it, it is kind of going on a little vacation.”

The first meeting was exciting and fun to watch. The two teams met in Atlanta in the second week of the season and played a great game. Georgia Tech jumped all over Clemson early and built a commanding 24-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Then things imploded for the Yellow Jackets as Clemson put up 27 unanswered to take a 27-24 lead with 11:53 to go. Georgia Tech answered with two field goals, including the game winner with 57 seconds left to win 30-27. There were five touchdowns of 34 or more yards.

All-ACC Players: Georgia Tech has six first team All-ACC selections (five on offense) while Clemson had three. Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett made the second team, while Clemson had five second team selections. Spiller made first team all-ACC specialist and second team running back so I’m only going to count him once. This means there will be a total of 14 all-ACC players on the field Saturday night in Tampa (seven for each team).

The ACC’s leading rushing attack vs. the conference’s 4th best rush defense: Georgia Tech enters the game ranked first in the ACC and second nationally with 305 rushing yards per game. Clemson is allowing 135 yards per game on the ground. Clemson will have to limit Nesbitt, Allen, and Dwyer if they want to win this game; these three players combined for 284-yards rushing in the regular season meeting between these two teams.

Special teams: Few plays in football are as exciting as a big kickoff or punt return and both teams are very good in this respect. Clemson enters the game first in the ACC in kick return average and second in punt return average while Georgia Tech is third in punt returns and fourth in kick returns. Goergia Tech’s Jerrard Tarrant has two punt returns for touchdowns this season (including one against Clemson); C.J. Spiller of Clemson has one punt return for a touchdown and four kickoff returns for touchdowns. If either of these players get room to run, it should be exciting to watch.

Turn in to ESPN at 8pm for a great game!

The offense has performed much better than it had over the past three seasons. Virginia Tech’s offense is currently ranked 56th in the NCAA; the past three seasons had all fielded offenses ranked 99th or worse. Ryan Williams has turned into one of the nation’s best backs, leading a rushing offense that ranks 15th in the nation. Tyrod Taylor hasn’t thrown a ton this season, but he has been very effective, ranking 14th nationally in passing efficiency. The Hokies are averaging over 31 points per game this season, good for 27th in the nation.

The defense struggled at times but really elevated their play over the past four games. In that span, the Hokies defense hasn’t allowed a single point in the second half. The Hokie defense will need a strong bowl performance to rank in the top 10 in total defense for the 6th straight season; they are currently 13th in total D. The scoring defense is slightly better, ranking 11th. Despite some injuries to the secondary this season, the Hokie pass defense is the 7th best nationally. The defense was inexperienced early but that seems to be less of a factor now and the entire defense is playing faster.

Now to honor individual achievements:
Congratulations to Ryan Williams. Williams won both the ACC Offensive and ACC overall Rookie of the Year awards. Williams absolutely deserved these honors as he holds the ACC rushing yards and touchdown records and is only 110-yards from the single season school rushing record.

Congrats to Cody Grimm. As many people know, he came to Virginia Tech as a walk-on and eventually earned a scholarship. His hard work and nose for the ball have made him a Hokie fan favorite. Grimm leads the nation in fumbles forced. The Hokies will miss him next season.

ALL-ACC First Teamers
RB Ryan Williams
LB Cody Grimm
K Matt Waldron
P Brent Bowden

ALL-ACC Second Teamers
TE Greg Boone
OT Ed Wang
OG Sergio Render
DE Jason Worilds
FS Kam Chancellor

Congrats to the guys who made first or second team all-conference. Also, I want to say that it is too bad for Rashad Carmichael that he didn’t make it. He deserved to be at least second team all-conference but was snubbed.

Clemson’s C. J. Spiller etched his name in the Clemson, ACC and NCAA record books this fall as he became only the fifth player in NCAA FBS history to top 7,000 all-purpose yards for a career. Spiller led the Tigers to the Atlantic Division title and shattered the ACC single-season record for all-purpose yards with 2,207 yards while also setting an NCAA career mark for kickoff returns for touchdowns in a career with 7 and tying an NCAA record most combined returns for scores with 8. Earlier this year, he became the first player in Clemson history to run for, throw for and catch a TD pass in the same game. He currently ranks 2^nd nationally in kickoff returns and 3^rd nationally in all-purpose yards, while having scored 16 touchdowns.

Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech: ACC Defensive Player of the Year

One of the most feared pass rushers in college game, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan leads the ACC in quarterback sacks with 12.5 and is second in the conference in tackles for loss with 17. A junior defensive end from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Morgan also ranks 6^th nationally quarterback sacks and is 17^th in the nation in tackles for loss. Despite facing double-team attention throughout most of the season, he still made 50 tackles including 35 solo hits, forced two fumbles and recovered two more. Made probably the key play in Tech’s season, with a crucial QB sack against Wake Forest which forced the game into overtime.

Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech: ACC Rookie and Offensive Rookie of the Year

In the 57-year history of ACC football, no freshman has ever led the Conference in rushing and scoring and this young first-year player from Manassas, Va., is currently doing both. This year Williams leads the ACC and shattered the Conference’s freshman rushing record by almost 300 yards, having rushed for 1,538 yards in 12 games. The yardage total is the 6^th-best in ACC history and his 20 touchdowns—including 19 rushing—are the most ever by a freshman and are within one of the ACC record for a season.  Chosen ACC Rookie of the Week seven times this year, the second-most in ACC history—Williams also topped the 100-yard mark in a game nine times. He currently ranks 5^th nationally in rushing and 6^th nationally in scoring.

Luke Kuechly, Boston College: ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year

The leading tackler in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Kuechly keyed a Boston College defense which finished 2^nd in the ACC in rushing defense and 3^rd in the conference in scoring defense as the Eagles won 8 games and became bowl eligible for the 11^th straight year. Kuechly, who has 142 tackles this season, ranks 2^nd nationally among all defenders in total tackles and 2^nd in solo tackles. He also has made 12.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception and a 28-yard return for a touchdown and1 quarterback sack. In his last two ACC games he has totaled 35 tackles including a season-high 19 versus 25^th-ranked North Carolina.

Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech:  ACC Coach of the Year

Johnson, also the 2008 ACC Coach of the Year, becomes only the third coach in conference history to be named Coach of the Year in each of his first two seasons at his school. He led Georgia Tech to its first 10-win regular season since the Jackets captured the national championship in 1990. Johnson guided Tech to its first Coastal Division title since 2006, posting an eight-game winning streak, the school’s longest in 19 years. His Tech team, which has been ranked in the BCS Standings as high as 7^th nationally,  ranks 2^nd nationally in rushing offense, 7^th nationally in passing efficiency and 12th nationally in scoring offense, leading the ACC while averaging 35 points per game. Tech’s spread option offense also leads the nation in time of possession. Johnson’s two-year record of 19-6 is the 8^th best in league history for a coach in his first two seasons.

Riley Skinner, Wake Forest: ACC Jim Tatum Award

Wake Forest senior quarterback Riley Skinner, who posted a 3.08 career GPA with a major in the Wake Forest business school, is the 2009 ACC Jim Tatum Award-winner. The Tatum Award is presented annually to the ACC’s top football senior student-athlete. Named to the Dean’s List four times at Wake, Skinner enjoyed his best season athletically in 2009, completing 66 percent of his passes for 3,160 yards and 26 touchdowns. He completed his four-year Deacon career as one of the most accurate passers in ACC  history, missing by just a few hundredths of a point in setting a career completion percentage record. He completed almost 67 percent of his career passes and finished ranked 2^nd on the ACC career list in pass completions, fourth in passing yardage with 9,762 yards and seventh in touchdown passes with 60.  One of only three quarterbacks in ACC history who have thrown for over 2,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, he led Wake to a 31-18 overall record, an ACC Championship and three bowl game appearances. Skinner is the secondWake Forest player to be honored with the Tatum Award, but the first since 1992.

Toney Baker, NC State:  ACC Brian Piccolo Award

NC State senior running back Toney Baker, who overcame a possible career-threatening knee injury which forced him to miss two straight years of competition, is the 2009 ACC Brian Piccolo Award winner.  The Piccolo Award is presented annually in the memory of the late Brian Piccolo to the “most courageous” football player in the ACC. Baker suffered a severe injury in the opening game of the 2007 season which was though to be at the time, career ending. Surgeries in the fall of 2007 and in August of 2008, forced him to miss two complete football seasons in rehabilitating the knee. Demonstrating great determination, Baker came back this season, to lead NC State in rushing–he is currently ranked 6^th in the ACC with 773 yards–and has scored nine touchdowns to rank 6^th in the conference, while accumulating 1,128 combined yards this season—yards both rushing and receiving. Baker has also topped 2,000 rushing yards for his career. He is the third NC State student-athlete to be honored with the Piccolo Award, but the first since 1991.

Rodney Hudson: ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy

Florida State junior guard Rodney Hudson, who has named to some kind of all-conference honor in each of his three seasons of college football, is the 2009 ACC Jacobs Blocking Trophy Award winner, which is presented annually to the ACC’s top blocker. Hudson, who was named to the All-ACC first team in 2008 and 2009, was also a second-team All-ACC selection as a freshman in 2007. The 6-2, 283-pound junior from Mobile, Ala., was the leader of an offensive line which paved the way fir Florida State to rank 13^th nationally in pass offense, 24^th nationally in scoring and 19^th nationally in total offense. Twice named ACC Offensive lineman of the Week, Hudson did not allow a sack or quarterback pressure this season while grading out to 88 percent for the year, including a pair of 97 percent grades for individual performances against nationally-ranked Georgia Tech and Clemson 

The offensive production for both teams seemed dominated by just a few players. Ryan Williams and Danny Coale accounted for 66% of Virginia Tech’s offense and that number could’ve been higher had Williams not been pulled to give more reps to the back-ups midway through the fourth. Williams had a career day rushing 24 times for 183-yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore Danny Coale also had a career day catching six passes for 135-yards. Coale had little difficulty beating one of the ACC’s best cornerbacks in Ras-I Dowling. He made an impact early catching two passes for 77-yards on the opening drive, which Williams capped off with a 5-yard touchdown run. Coale made some great catches, but none better than his phenomenal 10-yard sideline grab on third and three. Tyrod Taylor was forced out of the pocket and threw a laser on the run, which Coale snagged on the sideline while falling out of bounds. This set up another Williams touchdown run to give the Hokies a 28-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.

For Virginia, it was all Jameel Sewell. Sewell gave the Hokie defense fits early on rushing three times for 45-yards, including a 15-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive. On UVA’s next drive, he carried the ball three times for 47-yards but this drive stalled and they were forced to kick a field goal. Sewell ended the day with 17 carries for 104-yards and one touchdown. He also completed 12 of 22 passes for 120-yards. Sewell’s 224 all purpose yards accounted for 76% of Virginia’s total offense. His rushing success was significantly limited following the initial two drives, and as a result, UVA had only 166 yards in the final three quarters (following 128-yards in the first).

Minus a couple early breakdowns, the Hokies looked dominant for the third straight game. Since the UNC loss (four games ago), Virginia Tech has outscored their opponents by an average score of 33.75-8.75. The offense, especially the running game, is playing extremely well over the past four games. In each of the past four games, VT has rushed for at least 200-yards and averages 239 per game on the ground. Ryan Williams has rushed for at least 100-yards in every game during that span. The passing game has been almost equally influential over the same span, averaging almost 197-yards per game. Hokie fans are finally seeing the offensive production they had been hoping for over the past three or four years.

It’s always great to win a rivalry game, but it’s even better to win one by 29 points. The Hokies seem to be playing their best football right now. There is an outside chance of a BCS at-large birth but the loss to UNC probably will cost Virginia Tech that opportunity; the Gator Bowl or Chick-fil-A Bowl seem the most likely destination for the Hokies this bowl season.

Key Plays:
Kam Chancellor recovered a dropped option pitch (Sewell pitched to RB Mikell Simpson) and returned it 15-yards to the UVA 10 with 6:22 left in the third quarter. This set up a Ryan Williams touchdown and gave the Hokies a 21-13 advantage.

Danny Coale’s sideline catch. As mentioned early, Tyrod Taylor connected with Danny Coale for a key third and three conversion. This incredible grab gave the Hokies a first down and lead to Ryan Williams’s fourth rushing touchdown of the day.

Jarrett Boykin’s fumble recovery in the endzone. With 10:21 left in the game, Ryan Williams ripped off a 51-yard run but fumbled the ball into the endzone. Jarrett Boykin alertly jumped on the fumble for a touchdown, putting a dagger in UVA’s chances to win by giving the Hokies a 35-13 lead.

Game Balls:
Ryan Williams: I won’t dwell on him since he’s already been talked about several times. 24 carries, 183-yards, four touchdowns.

Danny Coale: Again, his numbers have been referenced. Six catches, 135-yards (career high).

David Wilson: Wilson saw some time late in the game and impressed Hokie fans (and probably UVA fans). Wilson carried the ball five times for 54-yards and a touchdown including a big 25-yard run.

Tyrod Taylor
* Moved to 22-5 as a starter, passing Michael Vick for victories by a starting quarterback under Frank Beamer. He is second in wins, only behind Bryan Randall’s 26.

Virginia hired a new offensive coordinator in the off-season with hopes of instilling an explosive spread offense. The results have been less than desirable and have all but sealed Al Groh’s fate. The Cavaliers enter the season finale ranked outside of the top 100 (out of 120 teams) in rushing offense, passing, offense, total offense, passing efficiency, sacks allowed, and scoring offense. Virginia has only scored more than 21 points twice this season. Their offensive upgrade has turned into a nightmare for everybody associated with the program. It may cost Groh his job, but in his defense it does usually take more than one year for an entirely new offense to become effective. Players need to learn the system and learn their roles, plus coaches need time to bring players into the program that fit into the scheme.

UVA began the season playing musical quarterbacks with Jameel Sewell, Vic Hall, and Marc Verica all taking snaps. This team had no offensive identity and it has continued to plague them all season. Sewell has mostly locked up the quarterback job at this point, attempting 270 of the team’s 341 passes but the team is still struggling. Sewell is 10th in the ACC in total offense and 11th in the ACC in passing efficiency. He has very little support from a rushing attack which ranks 11th in the ACC and 112th in the NCAA with 92 yards per game. Running backs Mikell Simpson and Rashawn Jackson and quarterback Jameel Sewell have seen a bulk of the carries accounting for 77 percent of the carries and 87 percent of the yards. Simpson and Jackson are also 2nd and 3rd on the team in receptions.

To date, the Hoos have thrown eight touchdowns and eight interceptions and accounted for 1,926-yards through the air. For comparison purposes, the yardage is almost identical to Tyrod Taylor this season (1,917). However, the big difference between the two passing attacks is that Tyrod has thrown 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Virginia Tech has been much more effective in limiting turnovers than UVA has this season.

Virginia has eight receivers with at least 100 yards this season. Virginia Tech doesn’t spread the ball around quite as effectively, but with the emergence of Jarrett Boykin, they haven’t needed to. Boykin is now the first Hokie receiver with a 700-yard season since Ernest Wilford in 2003. Boykin has become a favorite target of Taylor and a huge big play threat. Boykin has size, good hands, speed, and he adjusts beautifully to passes that are a little off the mark. His size will create problems for either of Virginia’s talented cornerbacks: Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook, both of whom have three interceptions this season.

As mentioned, both of Virginia’s cornerbacks are very good. They pace a pass defense which is one far and away the bright spot of this Cavalier squad. UVA enters the game 4th in the conference in both pass defense and passing efficiency defense. Corner Chase Minnifield is another solid performer in the Wahoo secondary, recording 27 tackles and two interceptions this season. The secondary is tough, but they get little help in the form of a pass rush. These corners are good but sometimes they are forced to cover receivers for five or more seconds thanks to a pass rush which ranks eighth in the ACC in sacks.

Virginia Impact Players:
Nate Collins: Collins has been the defense’s best performer this season. Collins has amassed 70 tackles (3rd on the team), including team leading totals in tackles for losses (9.5) and sacks (5). Collins also has one interception and one fumble recovered.

Jameel Sewell: Sewell has had a rocky season but will need a great performance if Virginia is going to win. This will be tough considering that Virginia Tech’s defense has allowed only 5.3 points per game in the past three contests. Sewell is averaging 172-yards passing per game this season with seven touchdowns, seven interceptions, and six rushing touchdowns.

Prediction: The Hokie defense is about due for a shut out, and I would love for them to shut out Al Groh in his final game as a UVA coach. The Cavalier offense will struggle to produce any points and Ryan Williams should have no trouble finding room to run.

VT: 31
UVA: 3

Two plays later Cody Grimm was at it again. Russell Wilson completed Darrell Davis for eight yards before he was stopped by Grimm. Grimm stripped Davis of the ball on the sideline and senior cornerback Stephan Virgil dove and recovered the fumble before the ball rolled out of bounds. A six play, 28-yard drive ensued, capped off by a Ryan Williams rushing touchdown.

On the first play after Virginia Tech’s kick-off, Cody Grimm forced his FBS record tying third fumble of the game, but this time North Carolina State was able to get the ball back. The Wolfpack mounted their first drive of the game going 81-yards on 10 plays. The Wolpack got on the score board when Russell Wilson threw a 20-yard touchdown strike to an open Owen Spencer to pull the Pack to within 3.

The Hokies scored on their third possession of the game when Ryan Williams scored from 1-yard out to take a 17-7 lead. Williams’ run capped off an 8 play 48-yard drive. The drive had stalled on an incompletion to Dyrell Roberts on third and 10 but the Hokies were bailed out. Roberts had his arms tangled up by C.J. Wilson as he reached for the pass and the refs threw the flag. The pass interference gave the Hokies a first down on the N.C. State 14 yard line.

Each team had two drives a piece stall out before North Carolina State converted a field goal, their last points of the game. Ryan Williams scored his third rushing touchdown of the game with 37 seconds left in the first half. The Hokies took a 24-10 lead into the half and never looked back. The solid defensive play continued for Virginia Tech as they shut out the ‘Pack in the second half.

The Hokie’s defense was stout for the second straight game. North Carolina State was held to 245-yards and 12 first downs. The Hokies forced four turnovers: Cody Grimm, Davon Morgan, and Stefan Virgil all recovered fumbles while Kam Chancellor made an interception. Grimm paced the Hokie pass rush with two sacks, but Rashad Carmichael, Chris Drager, Jason Worilds, and Mark Muncey each also recorded one sack a piece. This was the Hokies second straight game with six sacks.

Game Balls:
Ryan Williams: Williams broke the Virginia Tech and ACC freshman rushing record for a season with his 120-yard, four touchdown performance Saturday. Williams now has 1,355 rushing yards on the season with two games to go (UVA and a bowl game). Williams is 292-yards behind Virginia Tech’s school record of 1,647 yards, set by Kevin Jones. That is a tough number to get in two games, but Williams is a very special back.

Cody Grimm: Grimm had a huge senior night, forcing three fumbles on N.C. State’s first four plays. Grimm was the team’s second leading tackler on the night, with eight tackles. He also had two tackles for losses and two sacks, a fumble recovered, and one quarterback hurry. He now leads the nation with seven fumbles forced on the season. Grimm has been an animal the past two seasons and will be sorely missed next year.

Jarrett Boykin: Boykin had a career day catching 6 passes for 164-yards and a touchdown. Boykin is the first Hokie receiver to record over 700 receiving yards in a season since Ernest Wilford did it in 2003. Boykin, only a sophomore, is 17th on Virginia Tech’s all-time receiving list with 1,156 career receiving yards.

North Carolina State has an explosive offense, ranked 23^rd in the nation in scoring offense.  They are lead by sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson, a native of Richmond, Virginia.  Wilson has put together a huge season thus far completing 58 percent of his passes for 2,534-yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.   Wilson has also rushed for 319-yards and four touchdowns proving he is a dual-threat quarterback.  Wilson is a playmaker in every sense of the word… he comes up with big plays but has lacked consistent support from a rushing attack that ranks 78^th in the nation. 

North Carolina State’s leading rusher, Toney Baker, is averaging only 66.40 yards per game.  Wilson is second on the team in rushing with 31.9 yards per game.  This illustrates the fact that NC State is a pass heavy offense.  N.C. State has completed passes to 24 people so far this season, with five catching 24 or more passes and ten catching touchdowns.  That stat illuminates the versatility of North Carolina State’s offense.  You can’t key in on any one player, you somehow have to find a way to limit Russell Wilson as a whole.

After some stat analysis, here is one thing I found interesting: N.C. State is ranked 23^rd in the nation in scoring offense.  After taking out there two games against FCS opponents they average 25.43 points per game, good for 69^th in the NCAA.  That is a huge difference.  From that stat, it seems they can score on teams they should have, but are mediocre against normal competition.

The defensive stats are even more indicative of how this team has performed this season.  The Wolfpack are ranked 99^th in scoring defense, but again, exclude those FCS games and they are now ranked 113^th in the nation in defense.  That is flat out horrendous and show why the Pack have only beaten two FBS schools this season.  They are allowing 36 points per game against FBS (1-A) schools leading me to believe Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams should both be able to manufacture several touchdowns.

Random Stats/Information:

-The Hokies have lost all 10 coin tosses this season.

-North Carolina State is the only team to beat Pittsburg this season.

-Ryan Williams is just 30-yards from tying the Virginia Tech freshman rushing record set last season by Darren Evans and 412-yards from Kevin Jones’s season rushing record.

-Russell Wilson has thrown all ten of his interceptions in the past six games, with at least one in each game.

-Tyrod Taylor has rushed for 61 or more yards in three of the last four games.

-Since 1993, no Hokie has had more than six interceptions in a season; Rashad Carmichael is currently at five.

-Tyrod Taylor needs 280-yards passing to reach 2,000.

-N.C. State is 111^th in the nation in turnover margin per game (-1), Virginia Tech is 35^th (.4).

North Carolina State key players:

Russell Wilson: As pointed out earlier, Russell Wilson IS the North Carolina State offense.  He is 2^nd in the conference in total offense and 4^th in the league in passing efficiency. Wilson has accounted for 32 touchdowns this season.  As Wilson goes, so does the NC State offense.  In the season opener against South Carolina, Wilson threw for only 74-yards and the Pack were held to only a field goal.

Willie Young: Young is the defensive leader of this Wolfpack team.  Young is a solid player, both against the run and the pass.  He leads the team in tackles for losses (1.1 per game) and sacks (0.7 per game) and ranks third and fourth in the conference in those respective categories.  Considering the fact that the Hokies are 8^th in the conference in sacks allowed with 2.5 per game, Young should be able to get into the backfield and disrupt plays.

Toney Baker: Baker is a versatile back who poses a threat as a pass catcher, as well as a rusher.  He is the Packs leading rusher with 664-yards and six touchdowns this season.  Baker also has caught 24 passes for 306-yards and three touchdowns.  The Hokies will need to match-up well on him when he comes out of the backfield as a pass catcher.

Owen Spencer: The junior receiver is the team’s leading receiver with 561-yards and three touchdowns.  Spencer is a big play threat, averaging over 24-yards per reception.  The Hokies will have to keep an eye on him because he has a chance to break any play open.

Jarvis Williams and George Bryan: These two receivers have combined for 865-yards and 15 receiving touchdowns this season. Between Spencer, Williams, and Bryan the Hokie secondary will have their hands full.  Expect the Hokies to play more nickel packages (5 defensive backs) than they traditionally do and maybe throw in a few dime packages (6 defensive backs) to combat this pass heavy offense.

Prediction:

North Carolina State has a powerful offense, but their horrendous defense will cost them this game.  The key will be how the Virginia Tech secondary handles the North Carolina State passing attack.  Expect N.C. State to pass early and often.  Virginia Tech will look to grind it out on the ground against the Pack and keep Russell Wilson off the field.  Ryan Williams will rush for his third consecutive 100-yard game, and Tyrod will rush for over 50-yards.

Virginia Tech: 34

North Carolina State: 17

2. Virginia Tech: The Hokies had no trouble with Maryland, winning 36-9 at College Park. The Hokies offense cruised through the first half putting up 27 points on touchdowns by four different players. Ryan Williams recorded his seventh 100-yard game of the season and Tyrod Taylor looked strong throwing touchdown passes to three different receivers. The Hokie defense allowed only three points all game (MD recovered a Tyrod Taylor fumble in the end zone for their only touchdown).

3. North Carolina: The Tar Heels have made an incredible turn-around winning three straight including games over Virginia Tech and Miami. North Carolina put up 33 points on Miami despite only scoring one offensive touchdown; kicker Casey Barth made 4/4 field goals and both Melvin Williams and Kendric Burney returned interceptions for touchdowns.

4. Clemson: The Tigers have won five straight and can lock up with Atlantic Division this weekend with a win over Virginia. C.J. Spiller pulled off a rare feat in Clemson’s 43-23 win over North Carolina State; Spiller threw a touchdown, rushed for one, and caught one. Spiller has been unstoppable in the past few games, a large reason for Clemson’s current winning streak.

5. Miami: The Canes lost for the second time in their last four games when North Carolina upended them this weekend. The Canes recorded over 400-yards of offense but were severally crippled by Jacory Harris’s four interceptions (two of which were returned for touchdowns). Miami has really fallen off since a strong start; maybe their youth is to blame, maybe not.

6. Boston College: Boston College barely got by Virginia on the road this weekend, winning 14-10. Running back Montel Harris has placed this team on his back, carrying 38 times for 151-yards on Saturday; in doing so, Harris broke the 1,000-yard milestone on the season. The Eagles need to win-out and need Clemson to lose to Virginia if they want to make the ACC Championship game this season. Good luck with a Clemson loss to UVA!

7. Florida State: The Seminoles won this weekend behind freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel completed 15-20 passes for 220-yards and a touchdown; he also added 45-yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Jermaine Thomas provided Manuel with some much needed support rushing 25 times for 149-yards and a touchdown. The Noles have now won three of their last four games.

8. Duke: The Dookies were dismantled by Georgia Tech, but at least they aren’t a bottom-dweller this season, 5-5 (3-3 ACC).

9. NC State: The Wolfpack have lost five of their last six games. The defense has serious issues as they have allowed 30 or more points in their last seven games.

10. Wake Forest: The Deacons dropped their fifth straight game with a loss to Florida State over the weekend. Wake has a bye week before their season finale against Duke 11/28. Wake desperately needs to win this in order to take any kind of momentum going into the off-season.

11. Virginia: The Cavaliers are another team with a nice losing streak going (four straight). The Virginia offense has been atrocious, scoring an average of 14.8 points per game in ACC play.

12. Maryland: The Terps have lost five straight and seven of the last eight. They have only beaten one FBS team this season and that was Atlantic Division leader Clemson in week 5. The Terps offense was held to three points against the Hokies on Saturday.