GAME NOTES: The 17th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies finally open up ACC play, as they welcome the North Carolina Tar Heels to Blacksburg this weekend. Frank Beamer's team finished its non-league slate a week ago, with a 44-3 drubbing of FCS member William & Mary. The victory pushed the Hokies to 3-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming at second-ranked LSU (48-7) a couple of weeks ago. Butch Davis' first year in Chapel Hill hasn't started as he would have liked, with the Tar Heels dropping three of their first four contests to date. After winning the season-opener against James Madison (37-14), the Heels have lost three in a row, including a 37-10 decision to nationally-ranked South Florida last weekend. This is the 31st all-time meeting between these two teams, but just the fifth since 1946. The Hokies lead the all-time series by a count of 15-9-6. Tech has won all three meetings with UNC as members of the ACC.

North Carolina has struggled on the offensive side of the ball this year and last week was no different, as the Tar Heels managed just 11 first downs and a miserable 164 yards of total offense in the game. The team ran the ball 35 times for a net of just 79 yards and didn't fare much better in the passing game (85 yards). The ground game has been a problem all season long (79.5 ypg), but the passing attack has been much better (248.8 ypg). Freshman quarterback T.J. Yates has played to mixed reviews this year, completing a healthy 60 percent of his passes, for 986 yards. However he has thrown nine TDs and an alarming seven interceptions. Sophomore Hakeem Nicks (18 receptions, for 243 yards and three TDs), junior Brooks Foster (15 receptions, for 277 yards and two TDs) and junior Brandon Tate (eight catches, for 214 yards and three TDs) have provided adequate targets downfield.

UNC's defense has been up and down thus far. The team is giving up 26.8 ppg on the year, on 374.5 yards of total offense. The team has allowed foes to score on 81 percent of their red zone opportunities (17-of-21), but only nine have resulted in TDs. Senior linebacker Durell Mapp has been all over the field for the Tar Heels in the first four games, racking up a solid 50 stops, including 30 solo efforts. Senior DT Kentwan Balmer is a distant second in the tackle department, with 22 stops. Senior DE Hilee Taylor has been a force along the defensive line as well. Of his 17 total tackles, 7.5 have been for losses, with a team-high 4.5 sacks.

The Hokies scored 27 points in the first quarter and all but emptied the bench the rest of the way, as the reserves got some valuable playing time against William & Mary. On the year, the offensive numbers have been rather bland in Blacksburg. The Hokies are averaging 24.0 ppg this year, getting it done on 296.8 yards of total offense. A lot of players have failed to live up to expectations, including talented tailback Branden Ore, who is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry thus far. Quarterback Sean Glennon has gone from starter to reserve in the first month of the season, making way for freshman Tyrod Taylor to taker over under center. Taylor is more of a duel-threat at QB, having completed 50 percent of his passes, with one TD, while ranking second on the team in rushing (104 yards, two TDs). The passing game is not threatening in any way right now, with Josh Morgan (14 receptions, for 179 yards) representing the top target downfield.

The Hokies have relied on a staunch defense to mask any problems on offense and this year is more of the same. VaTech is allowing just 16.2 ppg this season and that includes the disappointing rout at the hands of LSU early on. The rush defense is decent at 120.5 ypg, but is overshadowed a bit by excellent pass defense. Foes are averaging just 188.2 yards per game through the air against the Hokies, who have recorded 11 sacks in the first four games. It all starts with one of the nation's premier LB corps, led by the play of All-American candidates Vince Hall (team-high 37 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks) and Xavier Adibi (32 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks). Another All- American candidate resides in the secondary in the form of shutdown corner Brandon Flowers (25 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one INT).

The Tar Heels will be a much improved team in the near future thanks to Butch Davis and his ability to recruit. However, it will be a year or two before that potential is realized. In the here and now, UNC is simply no match for the Hokies, especially in Lane Stadium.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 33, North Carolina 10