MONDAY
Georgia Tech at No. 16 Virginia Tech, 8:01 p.m. ESPN
Line: Virginia Tech by 7.
Series Record: Virginia Tech leads 6-3.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
These teams (Virginia Tech five times, Georgia Tech twice) are the only ones from the ACC's Coastal Division to reach the league championship game, so the winner gets an immediate leg up in the race for the divisional crown again this season.
KEY MATCHUP
Virginia Tech's defense against the triple option. The Hokies have nine starters back on defense, with the only newcomers at the safety spots. Virginia Tech players talked in the offseason about aiming at breaking all-time defense records at the school, and QB Tevin Washington and the Yellow Jackets should provide a good early test. The Hokies' goal is to force Washington to throw the ball.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia Tech: Washington. He was among the national leaders in rushing yards for a quarterback last season and ran for three TDs in a loss to the Hokies. He also ranked highly in passing efficiency despite completing fewer than 50 percent of his 150 attempts.
Virginia Tech: Michael Holmes. The heir apparent to a Hokies recent string of NFL-bound tailbacks drew good reviews for his work in the spring and summer, but has yet to have to show he can provide the kind of yardage the Hokies count on from their ground attack in a game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Virginia Tech is the only FBS team to have won 10 or more games in each of the last eight seasons. ... The Hokies have won two straight in the series and three of four since coach Paul Johnson brought the triple option to the Yellow Jackets. ... Virginia Tech lost three consecutive openers - against East Carolina in 2009, Alabama in 2010 and Boise St. in 2001 - before beating FCS-level Appalachian State to start last season. ... This is the first time in the last four meetings that only one of the teams is unranked. ... Georgia Tech is seeking its first road victory against a ranked opponents since it beat No. 13 Georgia on Nov. 29, 2008. ... Both teams have short weeks following the opener, with the Hokies hosting Austin Peay on Saturday and the Yellow Jackets playing host to Presbyterian, also Saturday.
