(Sports Network) Frank Beamer's Hokies opened the year with two straight losses. The first was a hard-fought setback to top-five foe Boise State, but the second was an unforgivable loss to FCS powerhouse James Madison. To Beamer's credit, he was able to rally the troops when it counted most, running the table with 10 straight wins and a flawless 8-0 ACC slate to earn a spot in the conference title game. It is the 10th time in the last 12 seasons that Tech has recorded 10 or more victories and this represents the Hokies' fourth trip to the ACC Championship Game.
Despite being under new leadership in Jimbo Fisher, the Seminoles began the season with high hopes, thanks to a veteran signal caller and a strong defense. Well, the Seminoles didn't need to rely solely on the play under center, but instead got back to running the football and the result has been a nine-win season to this point, including a 6-2 mark in-conference. The team enters this contest with three straight wins, including an impressive victory over Florida last weekend (31-7). The Seminoles needed some help elsewhere down the stretch but got it, landing them in the championship game, where they will vie for their 13th league title in 19 years as a member of the conference.
Fisher isn't worried that the team will have a letdown following an emotional win over rival Florida.
"I have always said one of the toughest things is the way the schedule is for Florida and Florida State, and if you are going into a conference championship game the very next week coming off of a game that is not a conference game, but is so meaningful and then you have to come right back and play another meaningful game the next week I think is very tough. You have to deal with the hand your dealt, and I don't think our kids know because they are so hungry for success and they are proud of what they're doing, confident in what they're doing and where our team is and the way they carries itself I think we will be ready to play."
Florida State holds a 22-11-1 advantage in the all-time series and has won 13 of the last 14 meetings, overall. One of those matchups was the inaugural ACC Championship Game, won by FSU, 27-22 in 2005.
Florida State has put itself in a position to earn a BCS Bowl bid thanks to a balanced offensive attack that is generating almost 400 yards of offense (390.8). Getting back to basics is what Coach Fisher has done, and the result is a team that likes to move the ball on the ground. The rushing attack has been productive to say the least, averaging 177.4 yards per game on 5.0 yards per carry. It is not one workhorse back doing the majority of the damage, but rather a collective effort from tailbacks like Chris Thompson (686 yards, 6.8 ypc, five TDs), Ty Jones (496 yards, 6.4 ypc, two TDs) and Jermaine Thomas (484 yards, 5.7 ypc, six TDs).
The ground game has taken some of the pressure off of Christian Ponder under center, although the veteran signal-caller hasn't exactly taken the nation by storm. He has been efficient, completing 62.2 percent of his throw for 2,038 yards and 20 TDs, but it wasn't quite the big year he had hoped for. The receiving corps is talented and can make plays when FSU does get vertical. Wideouts Bert Reed (53 receptions, for 547 yards, two TDs), Taiwan Easterling (35 receptions, 462 yards, four TDs) and Willie Haulstead (33 receptions, 500 yards, six TDs) headline the group.
The Florida State defense has made strides toward being one of the conference's most feared units again, as the team is allowing just 17.8 ppg this year, while yielding 341.3 yards of total offense. A ferocious pass rush is a big reason for the improved play, with FSU posting 43 sacks on the season. Junior LB Brandon Jenkins has burst on the scene this season and has been unstoppable at times, amassing 18.5 TFLs and 12.0 sacks. He gets plenty of help in targeting QBs by senior end Markus White (11.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks). Junior LB Nigel Bradham leads the squad with 86 total tackles, while sophomore cornerback Greg Reid (57 tackles, three INTs) is a dynamic playmaker both in the secondary and as a return man.
There is no secret to Virginia Tech's offensive gameplan week-in and week-out, as they like to impose their will on an opponent with their ground assault. The team has certainly done well in that area this season, averaging 211.4 yards per game rushing on 5.1 yards per carry. While the backfield has a number of quality backs in Darren Evans (748 yards, 10 TDs), David Wilson (573 yards, five TDs) and Ryan Williams (428 yards, nine TDs), it is the play of quarterback Tyrod Taylor which has stood out the most.
Taylor earned All-ACC First-Team honors this season for his outstanding play as a rusher (613 yards, four TDs), but more so for his play as a passer, where he has completed 60.2 percent of his throws for 2,258 yards, with 20 TDs and just four INTs. Wideout Jarrett Boykin has been the top recipient of Taylor's improved play under center, hauling in 45 balls, for 728 yards and five TDs (all team-highs).
The Tech defense has had its problems with the run this year (156.9 ypg, 13 rushing TDs allowed), but if an opponent is forced to pass the ball, things get much tougher. The Hokies are allowing just 191.9 yards per game through the air and have recorded 32 sacks and 20 interceptions.
Leading the charge in terms of sacks are players like sophomore LB Bruce Taylor (team-high 84 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) and senior DE Steven Friday (61 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks). The most feared defensive back in the conference may very well be Jayron Hosley (35 tackles), who earned All-ACC First-Team honors with his eight INTs this season. Although, Davon Morgan (72 tackles, four INTs) and Rashad Carmichael (34 tackles, four INTs) make things difficult for opposing QBs as well.
This one is going to be a tight affair, as both teams will attempt to establish the run early. The difference may very well be Taylor, who has been simply sensational down the stretch for the Hokies. Also, if special teams play becomes a factor, Beamer's squad always gets the edge.
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