Virginia Tech @ East Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) East Carolina 27, Virginia Tech 49

THE STORY: No. 11 Virginia Tech will try to avoid an early-season road bump in Greenville, N.C. against East Carolina and give coach Frank Beamer his 200th career win in Blacksburg. It would make him only the 10th coach in FBS history to win 200 games at one school. Beamer, now in his 25th year at Virginia Tech, is second among all active coaches with 241 career wins, trailing only Penn State's Joe Paterno, who has 402.

TV: Fox Sports Net/SportSouth. LINE: Virginia Tech -18

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (1-0): The Hokies dismantled Appalachian State 66-13 in the opener last week as tailback David Wilson gained 162 yards on 16 carries and scored three touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas made his debut and threw a pair of TD passes, as did his backup, Mark Leal. Wide receiver Marcus Davis was dominant, as well catching three passes for 140 yards and two scores. The Virginia Tech defense was at its best, allowing 61 yards in the first half and returning a blocked punt for a TD as the Hokies raced to a 38-0 halftime lead. Virginia Tech, which had three picks last week, has picked off a pass in eight straight games. In the last 13 contests, the Hokies have collected 26 interceptions.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (0-1): The Pirates got off to a fast start last Saturday in Charlotte against No. 12 South Carolina, surging to a 17-point lead, only to fall apart in a 56-37 loss. Leading 24-14 at halftime, the Pirates fumbled on their next three possessions, leading to three South Carolina touchdowns. Quarterback Dominique Davis completed 37-of-56 throws for 260 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Pirates. Davis'favorite target was Lance Lewis, who caught 13 passes for 108 yards and two scores.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia Tech has made 18 straight bowl appearances, and the Hokies' streak of 13 straight seasons with at least eight wins is tops in the FBS.

2. This will be the 17th meeting between Virginia Tech and East Carolina, with the Hokies holding an 11-5 advantage. Virginia Tech has won the last two and eight of the last nine, including last year's 49-27 win in Blacksburg. The Hokies rallied from a 24-21 halftime deficit to win going away.

3. Virginia Tech has had good success in the state of North Carolina of late, winning its last six games. And since 2000, the Hokies have won 14 of their last 15 contests in the Tar Heel State. The only loss came to East Carolina in 2008, in Charlotte.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 45, East Carolina 24 -- The Hokies' potent and balanced offense will be too much for the defensively-challenged Pirates.