7:45 P.M. | LANE STADIUM | ESPN

RECORDS: Virginia Tech 7-0, 4-0 | Boston College 6-1, 3-1

SERIES: Virginia Tech leads 8-3

LINE: Tech by 13

LAST MEETING: Boston College won 34-27 in Blacksburg in 2003

OFFENSE

Talk about balance. BC has run the ball 269 times and thrown it 269 times. BC's mammoth line will try to beat up VT's front and run the ball between the tackles. If BC can run effectively, it will open up passing lanes for QBs Quinton Porter and Matt Ryan. VT's rushing game has perked up the past few games and, with Cedric Humes back, will have three TBs to test BC's stingy run defense. QB Marcus Vick could run wild against a defense that's never been known for its speed.

EDGE EVEN

DEFENSE

The past five games in the series have seen the two teams combine to average 60 points, but it's hard to see that trend continuing with these two units. VT leads the country in scoring defense (9 ppg), while BC is No. 6 (14 ppg). BC has recorded 52 tackles for loss, a stat that puts the onus on VT's O-line. VT has shown no signs of relenting on this side of the ball. The Hokies' will have to get off BC's big blockers and create havoc with their huge edge in quickness and speed.

EDGE HOKIES

SPECIAL TEAMS

This is BC's weakest link. PK Ryan Ohliger has struggled, making only six of 11 FGAs, including a mediocre 3-for-8 performance from 30-49 yards. The Eagles' net punting average of 32.4 ranks 80th in the country. BC punter Johnny Ayers has had two punts blocked, a fact that should have VT salivating. P Nic Schmitt and PK Brandon Pace have been solid for VT. If it's a close game late, the Hokies may win it with their huge edge in this department.

EDGE HOKIES

INTANGIBLES

BC won't be intimidated by Lane Stadium. The Eagles came here two years ago and slapped the Hokies around a bit en route to a 34-27 win. BC has won five straight road games and is 13-3 in its past 16 away from home, including a 5-0 mark vs. ranked foes. VT is playing for a national title and will get its usual boost from its rabid fans who turn up the volume even more at night. VT has won 10 consecutive Thursday night ESPN games.

EDGE HOKIES

PREDICTION

HOKIES 27, EAGLES 13

1. The battle among the big boys. BC won the fight in the trenches on both sides of the ball in its last visit to Lane in 2003. VT's defensive line must keep BC's humongous O-line from tying it up and use its quickness to get push into the backfield. VT's offensive front must find a way to move and keep BC's huge defensive tackles, particularly 337-pound B.J. Raji, from clogging up the middle. Mathias Kiwanuka, the Eagles' injured star defensive end, will play tonight, BC coach Tom O'Brien said.

2. Takeaways and giveaways. For a 6-1 team, BC has been awful in the turnover department, ranking 86th in the nation in ratio while giving the ball away 14 times compared to only eight takeaways. In four ACC games, BC's numbers have been even worse, giving up minus-1.5 turnovers per contest. VT had won the turnover battle in every game before last Thursday at Maryland, where it gave the ball away four times. Still, VT ranks third in the country in turnover margin (plus-1.43).

3. The Vick factor. Michael Vick put up huge numbers in his two games vs. BC and now his younger brother, Marcus, will try to match him. Eagles coach Tom O'Brien has been impressed by the younger Vick. "They both have strong arms and they can throw the football," O'Brien said. "They're the complete package. You can't say, 'Oh, we have to make him throw.' And you can't say, 'We've got to force him out of the pocket and make him run.' They have all those talents that put you on edge all the time because they're about an eyelash away from making a big play against you."