The Roanoke Times I File April

Virginia Tech quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor (5) and Ju-Ju Clayton (12) take the field for a spring practice. The Hokies open the season Sept. 6 against Boise State.

The Roanoke Times I File 2009

Virginia Tech defensive tackle John Graves (91) sacks Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton (8) in the first half of the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta. The Hokies defeated the Vols, 37-14.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Virginia Tech's two player representatives -- quarterback Tyrod Taylor and defensive tackle John Graves -- didn't even have time to warm up their hot seats at Sunday's ACC Football Kickoff gathering before a grilling reporter mentioned these two words: Boise State.

Well, Taylor and Graves were prepared for the play call. After all, they've been hearing about the bunch from potato land all summer long in Blacksburg.

"Ever since they announced the date, it's been the talk of the town,'' said Taylor, referring to Tech's Sept. 6 season opener against Boise State at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. ''Everyone asks you, 'Are you ready for the first game, what are you going to do?'

"It's going to be a very intense game, highly anticipated. I know we're preparing our butts off. After spring ball, we started watching film on [Boise State] just trying to get a feel for what they do. I think everybody is just ready to play.''

Graves said it's been impossible to not hear about the Western Athletic Conference powerhouse, which will bring a 26-game winning streak into the primetime ESPN matchup.

"Oh, yeah, everywhere you go in Blacksburg, you hear about it,'' Graves said. "People say, 'You'd better be working because Boise is working.' We've been watching a good amount of [film], and, they're looking good. They do a good job of ... making plays.

"You see it all the time when they're playing these teams, they do a good job of finishing games ... they've been undefeated for two years and they've played some good competition. They beat Oregon, they beat TCU. They're definitely just as good as everybody we've played. I think that's what motivates Boise as well. It keeps them motivated that people are thinking they're not good enough, and they [prove] people wrong each and every week.''

Taylor said the Hokies have become more stoked about the marquee Labor Day matchup since word broke that Las Vegas oddsmakers have posted the Broncos as an early 3-point favorite.

"We're the underdogs and you just keep that in your mind when you're working out. It just gives us more fuel for the fire.''

Beat Boise and ...

Defeat the Broncos and Tech, at worst, will be in position to make a serious run at the school's first national title. Taylor said that was his ultimate goal when he came to Blacksburg three years ago. Plus, he noted it would be the ultimate punctuation mark on Frank Beamer's coaching resume.

"Myself and everyone on our team wants to be a part of a national championship with Coach Beamer and the rest of the Hokie Nation," the senior said. "He is very hungry for it, and I believe that everyone on the team is. We've been in our trophy room and they have a spot reserved for a national championship ring. We would love to put something in that glass [case in Merryman Center].''

Bring on the media

Don't look now, but Taylor finally has gotten used to having microphones and tape recorders in his face.

Good thing because he was surrounded three-deep at times Sunday at the Tech table. It's a far cry from his first couple years at Tech, when he was very uncomfortable addressing the media.

"The first year I didn't have any fun doing it at all,'' Taylor said.

"But I realize as a quarterback that you're going to have to [talk to] media. I know some of y'all were mad that I only did like six games the first year. But at quarterback, you have to be willing to talk, even in down times.

"Now it's more natural, and I felt like I had to learn that this is what I have to do whether I want to or not.''

So will he be full-access Tyrod this fall?

"Well, you'll have to talk to B.J. [Tech football sports information director] about that,'' said Taylor, laughing.

"I don't have any problem with it.''

Late hits

In a session in which most of the questions fired his way were about Tech's expected high-powered offense this fall, Taylor was stunned to hear the Hokies haven't averaged 200 or more yards passing since 1995. "I learn a new stat every time I'm with y'all!'' he said, laughing. " Yeah, that does surprise me. Hopefully, we can get those numbers higher this year. You just gave me some more motivation right there.'' ... The ACC had a record number of 303 media members register for the two-day gathering that continues today when the coaches field questions. The previous high was 265 last year. ... Tech will be the final ACC team to start the season. Maryland also opens on Labor Day, meeting Navy in Baltimore at 4 p.m.