Associated Press | File January

Boise State coach Chris Petersen doesn't allow his players to do interviews with the opposing team's media.

The Roanoke Times

File October The play of Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams (34) concerns Boise State coach Chris Petersen.

Boise State has won 113 of 130 games the past decade. It's loaded again this season, ranked No. 3 in the country, and a 2 ¹₂-point favorite over No. 10 Virginia Tech in Monday's season opener in Landover, Md.

So what, according to Boise State coach Chris Petersen.

''I will say this: We're no Virginia Tech,'' Petersen said Monday. "Coach [Frank] Beamer has been doing that for a long time and they're a national player ever year. Year in and year out, Virginia Tech's name is going to be mentioned right there with the best of the best.

"We're pretty new to this whole thing. I think down the road, if we were spoke about like a Virginia Tech, that would be a tremendous, tremendous accomplishment for Boise State.''

Not exactly bulletin-board material for the Hokies, hey? Well, what else would one expect from a coach who doesn't allow his players to do interviews with the media of the opposing team.

Ruffle some feathers? Not this Boise bunch.

Listen to Petersen.

First, there was the subject of Tech's running game, where the Hokies will run the proven duo of Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, plus wild-card speedster David Wilson, at the western intruders at FedEx Field.

''I don't think we've probably played anything like this, like their running game,'' Petersen said.

"Certainly, not last year ... I can't remember anyone having a backfield like they have with a big, physical offensive line. Which is scary, because you're always about stopping the run, and that's one of the things that they do as well as anybody.

"So it's just something we're going to have to deal with.''

When the topic of Tyrod Taylor came up minutes later, Petersen confessed there's "not a great answer'' in regards to dealing with Tech's senior quarterback.

"I think anytime you've got a dual-threat guy that creates all kinds of problems,'' Petersen said.

"It's really that simple. How do you stop that? I don't know.

"You've got to play great team defense, stay in your lanes, and when he takes off, you'd better have 11 guys running after him. It's probably nothing more concerning than a guy who can run like that.

"Everything you spend all day long on is designing coverages for this route, that route, for this run, for that run. And, all of a sudden, you get a scrambling guy taking off and doing some things, all those plans are out the window. It is concerning."

"That's why I think, not just us but everybody in the country, is worried about Virginia Tech this year," Petersen concluded.

Petersen's lovefest turned to a guy who won't be playing. That would be Beamer.

''I have had a chance to meet him twice,'' Petersen said of Tech's longtime coach.

"I met him probably a year and half ago. Then, I got a chance to spend a few days with him at a function this past year.

"I really like him ... just a really good guy, an easy guy to be around and talk to.

"Those are the guys that everybody is always rooting for and want to do well, and you can see why he's such a popular figure back there.''

Certainly, Petersen didn't say anything to make him unpopular with the Hokies' vast following. Of course, why do that since the crowd at 88,000-seat FedEx figures to be somewhere around 85 percent pro-Tech?

"I'm glad you guys are seeing that as well as we are,'' noted Petersen, laughing.

While the Hokies will be making a 45-minute flight from Roanoke to Washington, D.C., on Sunday, the Broncos will making the four-hour-plus trip east from Idaho on Saturday.

''It is what it is,'' Petersen said. "A lot of guys travel across the country. That's not going to be an excuse if we don't play well.''

At least, the Broncos will be flying charter. Just like the Hokies.

''I wish we were playing in the west ... primarily where our recruiting is,'' Petersen noted.

"I think the thing that's good about it is that everybody has so much respect for Virginia Tech that anytime we play a program that's respected like that, people are going to look at us.''