BLACKSBURG — After exorcising a rare two-game losing streak Saturday, Virginia Tech’s football team will face an even more unusual task Thursday in Lane Stadium.

Obviously not overly impressed by Tech’s 36-6 win over Southern Mississippi Saturday night in Lane, Las Vegas oddsmakers Sunday installed Clemson as a 31/2-point favorite over the Hokies in Thursday night’s key ACC showdown in Blacksburg.

Talk about a rarity. Thursday’s ESPN national-televised game marks only the third time since 1995 that the Hokies have been an underdog at home. The last was Nov. 1, 2003, when No. 2 Miami strolled into Lane as a 31/2-point favorite and was crushed 31-7 by No. 10 Tech. In 2001, a No. 1-ranked Miami club that went on to capture the national title came to Blacksburg as a 14-point chalk and survived a 26-24 scare from No. 14 Tech.

The last time Tech was an underdog anywhere was Dec. 4, 2004, when the 10th-ranked Hokies beat No. 9 Miami 16-10 in the Orange Bowl, giving the Hokies the ACC title in their first season in the league.

No. 10 Clemson (7-1, 4-1), which Sunday climbed into the AP top 10 for the first time since October 2000, will be a tall order for Tech (5-2, 2-2).

The Tigers spanked then-No. 13 Georgia Tech 31-7 at home Saturday to run their winning streak to six games since losing in double overtime at Boston College on Sept. 9.

Kicking appears to be Clemson’s only weakness. Offensively, the Tigers lead the nation in scoring (42.3 ppg), rank fourth in rushing (261 ypg) and sixth in total offense (456.3). On the other side of the ball, Clemson tops the country in rushing defense (42.3), is fourth in total defense (230.4) and is seventh in scoring defense (12.5).

“We know what we’re going to run into here Thursday night,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “This Clemson crowd is flat good.”

Following Saturday night’s victory, Beamer was ready to get to work.

Besides a loud home crowd, the short week to prepare for the Tigers could play in the Hokies’ favor since Clemson’s preparation time will be cut back even more by the fact it has to travel to Blacksburg on Wednesday.

“It’s a short week and I can’t spend too long talking to you guys here,” said Beamer, in his postgame news conference. “We’ve got to get to bed and get started early [Sunday].

“I talked with the team about it. Whoever deals with it best gets an advantage.”

Beamer’s concerns about the availability of starting linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall, who were both injured Saturday, were alleviated Sunday.

Adibi went down twice on the field for a painful “stinger” in his left shoulder and sat out most of the fourth quarter. However, he’s listed as “full” for today’s practice.

Hall sustained a thigh bruise, but said he will he will be fine for Thursday.

Tailback Branden Ore, who ran for a career-high 207 yards Saturday, sustained a bruised left hand early in the game. X-rays taken after the game were negative, and he’s listed as “full” for today’s workout.

The only major contributor in question is wide receiver Justin Harper, who is listed as “questionable” for Thursday because of a bruised right shoulder.

Tech tidbits

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ike Whitaker may not have gotten much done in his one series at the controls in the second quarter, but he did have Tech fans talking Sunday. Whitaker, who replaced starter Sean Glennon midway in the fourth quarter, threw a pair of nice blocks that helped spring freshman tailback Kenny Lewis’ 14-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds left in the game. ... Punter Nic Schmitt, a Salem High graduate, broke out of a recent slump by pinning three punts inside the Golden Eagles’ 10-yard line — including two inside the 5. “He was good today on it and that field position was key in the game,” Beamer said. “When you make a team go 95 yards, 98 yards, I think the percentages go in your favor a lot.”