The Hokies' biggest game of the year is here as the ACC's best team, the Clemson Tigers, rolls into Lane Stadium for a Thursday night game. The atmosphere should be wild as Virginia Tech tries to knock off the #11 Tigers. Clemson leads the ACC in virtually every offensive and defensive category, and the Hokies will unquestionably have their hands full. However, Tech is coming off their best game of the season, having demolished a good Southern Miss squad, so anything can happen, especially on a Thursday night in Blacksburg.

Like Southern Miss last week, Clemson is coming into the game with some key injuries. Earlier in the season, Clemson lost two starting linebackers (Anthony Waters and Tramaine Billie) and a starting wide receiver (Rendrick Taylor), but big-play wide receiver Chansi Stuckey (#2, 6-0 185, r-Sr.) is reported to be back from a foot injury for this game. Last week Clemson lost second-team All-ACC guard Roman Fry for the year with a torn ACL, making the second straight week that an opposing left guard has been injured prior to the Tech game. Star running back James Davis (#1, 5-11 205, So.) has a shoulder stinger but he will play. Losing Davis could be catastrophic for the run-oriented Clemson squad, especially if back-up Reggie Merriweather (#37, 5-8 210, r-Sr.) has not recovered fully from a previous ankle injury.

Clemson will have freshman phenom C.J. Spiller (#28, 5-11 190) at running back. Spiller is a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball. Along with wide receiver Jacoby Ford (#6, 5-9 180, Fr.), Clemson has possibly the two fastest return men in college football, so covering well on kicks and punts is critical for the Hokies. Ironically, the Tigers have struggled on kickoff coverage, which is good news for Eddie Royal, who is due to have a big game. The battle for field position because of special teams play will be critical in this game.

Offensively, Clemson likes to run the ball, particularly outside on zone stretch plays. The Hokies have to contain the run and keep James Davis and C.J. Spiller from turning the corner or cutting back into an open field and gaining big yardage. Fifth-year senior quarterback Will Proctor (#14, 6-2 210) finally gets his shot to lead the team and he has responded by leading the ACC in passing efficiency. Proctor is mobile but he operates best in the pocket, throwing to a solid receiving corps. However, the strength, both literally and figuratively, of the Clemson offense is an experienced offensive line that has over-powered every opponent this season. The Hokies defensive line is coming off their best game of the year and will need an even better effort this week to slow down the Tigers.

Defensively, the Tigers are very fast, led by defensive end Gaines Adams (#93, 6-5 260, r-Sr.) and a young, talented linebacker group led by Antonio Clay (#43, 6-0 220, So.). Despite the injuries to two projected starters, the linebackers have not missed a beat. Michael Hamlin (#25, 6-3 200, r-So.) leads a physical, aggressive secondary that is exceptional in supporting the run. If Clemson has a concern on defense it is in pass coverage, where a converted running back and quarterback man the corners. However, both Duane Coleman (#3, 5-11 195, r-Sr.) and C.J. Gaddis (#12, 6-0 210, r-Jr.) are talented athletes and have adapted well in the secondary.

Virginia Tech will have to play BeamerBall at its best to stay with the Clemson Tigers. The Hokies need to win the field position battle via special teams play and turnovers. Defensively, Tech needs to keep Clemson's big-play threats from taking over the game. The Hokies need to keep the crowd in the game and let the atmosphere in Lane Stadium become a factor. I could see this game going either way with the key player being James Davis from Clemson. If he is able to play the entire game effectively with the shoulder injury, then the Tigers will likely win; but if Davis is ineffective, then the Hokies stand a very good chance.

I think Brandon Ore and the Hokie offense can keep Clemson off the field enough, and the defense will hold Davis and company in check. In the end, Brandon Pace kicks a game-winning field goal for a huge Hokie victory. Virginia Tech wins 22-21 (honestly, that is what the computer model predicted -- the injuries and the crowd were the difference)

I rebounded from the previous week with a 4-1 record last week only missing Boston College's victory in Tallahassee. I came close to predicting the Maryland/N.C. State game picking 27-21 for the score. I had Virginia winning 23-7 for what it's worth. For the year I am now 43-14. Of course, this week's big game is Clemson at Virginia Tech. Here are the results from last week:

The Hurricanes are back at full strength after suspension week and looking for revenge for last year's 14-10 loss that knocked Miami out of the ACC Championship Game. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is reeling from a devastating loss to Clemson last week in which Calvin Johnson was completely shut down and Reggie Ball ineffective. Look for the Hurricanes to bracket Johnson again this week and harass Ball, similar to the Clemson strategy. The offense will generate just enough to pull off the upset on the road. Miami by 6 (16-10)

The enigmatic Seminoles are surprisingly out of the Atlantic Division race after losing to Boston College, while the Terrapins are still alive after winning a tough game against N.C. State. The Terps seem to always play the Noles tough, and this game should be a close one as well. The key to beating Maryland is stopping the running game and forcing the Terps to the air. I believe FSU will be able to slow down Lance Ball, and the Seminole offense will generate enough offense for the win on the road. Florida State by 2 (16-14)

Jameel Sewell is beginning to settle in at quarterback, and the Cavalier defense has been solid, especially against the run. The Wolfpack is coming off two tough losses to Wake Forest and Maryland, so State needs to bounce back if they want to stay in bowl contention. Ultimately I see the Wahoos slowing down Andre Brown and Toney Baker, particularly at home where the defense has been very good, and Sewell making a couple of key passes to pull out a close win. Virginia by 3 (16-13)

The Tar Heels with their lame duck coach have little motivation, while the Demon Deacons are still very much alive in the Atlantic Division race, so Wake Forest will be highly motivated. Not much analysis is needed for this one as the Wake ground game rolls, though I expect UNC to show some pride and give an effort at home. Wake Forest by 7 (20-13)

The Eagles host the second worst team in D-1 football, as the Buffalo Bulls come to Chestnut Hill. BC needs a break after big games against Virginia Tech and Florida State, and Buffalo certainly provides that break. Boston College by 41 (44-3)

Can the Blue Devils snap their 15 game losing streak against the Commodores of Vanderbilt? Duke keeps scrapping and sooner or later they will pick up a win, but Vandy still holds out some hope for a bowl game and should pick up the win. Vanderbilt by 8 (28-20)

Not many upsets last week, as I finished 15-3 missing the Rutgers juggernaut, Washington State surprise, and Texas A&M close call. My record for the season is now 119-15. The biggest game for this week is the world's largest cocktail party (I know, I'm not supposed to call it that anymore), Florida vs. Georgia in Jacksonville. Not a lot of big games this weekend, but some potentially interesting action in the Big 12. Here are the results from last week:

The Gators are coming off a big loss to Auburn, and Georgia is struggling, barely holding off Mississippi State last week. Georgia needs to find some offensive consistency and decide on a quarterback. Look for Tim Tebow to play more this week for Florida, since the Gators were off last week and had more time to prepare. Emotions run high in this game and defenses are always key, but the big play potential of the spread option offense will probably be the difference. Florida by 7 (17-10)

The best Big 12 game for the weekend has the Oklahoma Sooners traveling to Columbia, Missouri to face one of the nation's biggest surprise teams, the Missouri Tigers. Oklahoma is regrouping after losing Adrian Peterson for the season, while Missouri suffered a big loss when star defensive end Brian Smith went down with a hip injury. Both teams like to run and set up play-action passes, but the difference in this game will likely be the defenses. The Sooners' defense, led by linebacker Rufus Alexander, is more solid and Oklahoma should get a big win on the road. Oklahoma by 7 (23-16)

• Ohio State over Minnesota by 26 (40-14)
• USC over Oregon State by 21 (38-17)
• Michigan over Northwestern by 31 (45-14)
• Texas over Texas Tech by 14 (24-10)
• Auburn over Mississippi by 18 (24-6)
• Tennessee over South Carolina by 8 (21-13)
• Notre Dame over Navy by 12 (28-16)
• Arkansas over Louisiana-Monroe by 28 (35-7)
• Rutgers over Connecticut by 14 (23-9)
• Wisconsin over Illinois by 31 (41-10)
• Nebraska over Oklahoma State by 11 (31-20)
• Texas A&M over Baylor by 4 (17-13)
• Oregon over Portland State by 31 (48-17)

For the 1-AA schools in the state of Virginia, I was a mediocre 3-3 in my predictions for last week, missing Hampton's loss to South Carolina State, Delaware's upset of Richmond, and Liberty falling to Gardner-Webb. I guess I was due for one of those weeks. I now stand at 35-8 for the season. Here are the results from last week:

The big intra-state 1-AA game this week is Richmond hosting James Madison.

• James Madison over Richmond by 6 (23-17)
• William & Mary over Villanova by 8 (24-16)
• Hampton over Winston-Salem by 30 (40-10)
• Coastal Carolina over Liberty by 13 (30-17)
• Gardner-Webb over VMI by 3 (31-28)
• Howard over Norfolk State by 1 (21-20)

Be safe traveling to and from the game!