Saturday, November 29, 2008

WHEN: Noon.

WHERE: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg (66,233).

FORECAST: Chance of light rain, low 40s. TV: ESPN.

RADIO: WWXT (92.7 FM), WWXX (94.3 FM), WGRQ (95.9 FM), WTNT (570 FM), WTEM (980 AM), WAGE (1200 AM).

RECORDS: Cavaliers 5-6, 3-4 ACC; Hokies 7-4, 4-3.

COACHES: Al Groh (36-31, eighth year); Frank Beamer (174-89-2, 22nd year).

WHEN THE HOKIES HAVE THE BALL: Tyrod Taylor will start the game at quarterback, an indication that the coaching staff thinks Taylor gives the Hokies the best chance to reach the ACC championship. You can expect Taylor to create plays on his feet, which he did twice for touchdowns against Virginia last season. The Cavaliers must rely on their linebackers to contain Taylor. Virginia seniors Clint Sintim, Jon Copper and Antonio Appleby will hope to extend their final season by a game.

WHEN THE CAVALIERS HAVE THE BALL: Although running back Cedric Peerman is a senior, he never has carried the ball against the Hokies. Without a dependable backup and with turnover-prone Marc Verica's risky decision-making at quarterback, Peerman must perform. Virginia's passing attack will focus on wide receiver Kevin Ogletree and tight end John Phillips, both having career seasons. Verica must be careful against ballhawk cornerbacks Macho Harris and Stephan Virgil. If the Cavaliers try to get creative, pay attention to cornerback Vic Hall possibly receiving reps at quarterback in the popular Wildcat formation.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Virginia Tech has more potential to make plays on special teams than Virginia. Harris is a dangerous threat in the return game, and Dustin Keys is four field goals from breaking the school's season record. The Hokies have fixed some woes in the coverage units that caused problems earlier this season. Virginia has not been especially impressive on special teams, and the next major play from the return unit will be the first.

COACHES: Today's focus should be on the offensive coordinators -- Virginia's Mike Groh and Virginia Tech's Bryan Stinespring. Both have heard criticism from their fans bases, and neither can mount entirely convincing rebuttals with offenses ranked worse than No. 100 in the nation. A good performance for either will go a long way toward leaving a better final impression for the season.

-- Zach Berman