Virginia @ Virginia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2009 ) Virginia Tech 42, Virginia 13

When Virginia Tech plays host to interstate rival Virginia on Saturday to battle for the Commonwealth Cup – and earn a year’s worth of bragging rights – it will be a classic scenario of two teams moving in opposite directions.

The No. 14-ranked Hokies come in winners of nine straight, with a berth in the ACC championship game and a bowl appearance still to come. The Cavaliers have dropped three games in a row and will see their season come to an end Saturday.

Virginia Tech (9-2, 7-0 ACC) has rebounded from a disastrous opening week to the season, during which the Hokies lost to Boise State on Labor Day and then were stunned by James Madison five days later. The Hokies haven’t lost since Sept. 11, winning by a two-touchdown margin or greater in eight of the nine victories to take control of the ACC Coastal Division.

Following that 21-16 loss to James Madison, the Hokies’ offense has taken off. Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor has passed for 2,082 yards and 19 touchdowns, completing 60.5 percent of his passes (141 for 233). Add in his 589 yards rushing and his average of 5.3 yards per carry, and Taylor is accounting for 242.8 yards per game (189.3 passing; 53.5 rushing).

But the Hokies’ success isn’t limited to Taylor’s tremendous talent. Junior Darren Evans leads Virginia Tech in rushing with 678 yards and nine touchdowns. Five different receivers have 10 or more receptions, and eight different receivers have caught touchdown passes, led by junior Jarrett Boykin (656 yards, five touchdowns). Defensively, the Hokies are allowing 17.1 points per game during their winning streak, and overall rank tied for sixth in the FBS in turnovers gained (27). Virginia Tech has forced six turnovers in each of the past two games.

The picture is not as pleasant for Virginia (4-7, 1-6). Since opening the season with victories in two of their first three games, the Cavaliers have dropped six of eight. Opponents have topped 30 points five times, and the Cavaliers are giving up nearly 400 yards per game (397.3).

But Virginia has stayed in several games thanks to a strong offense, and that unit carries any hopes the Cavaliers have of springing an upset Saturday. Virginia ranks second in the ACC in total offense, averaging 415.2 yards per contest, and is third in passing yards per game (269.5). Senior quarterback Marc Verica has passed for 2,631 yards and 14 touchdowns.

His top two targets are junior Kris Burd and senior Dontrelle Inman, one of only 11 receiving duos in FBS with at least 700 yards receiving. Burd leads the Cavaliers with 55 receptions for 752 yards; Inman is close behind with 49 receptions for 750 yards. Senior Keith Payne (741 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns) and sophomore Perry Jones (635 yards rushing) give Virginia a good 1-2 punch out of the backfield.

The rivalry dates back to 1895, and lately has been dominated by Virginia Tech. The Hokies have won 10 of the past 11 meetings, and lead the all-time series 49-37-5.