GAME NOTES: A top-25 battle within the ACC takes place in Death Valley this weekend, as the 15th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies take on the 22nd-ranked Clemson Tigers. Frank Beamer's Hokies are undefeated in league play and certainly sit within striking distance of the top spot in the Coastal Division standings, following a conference-opening 17-10 win over North Carolina last weekend. The lone loss on the season for Tech came in embarrassing fashion at LSU in week two, 48-7. Since then, the team has won three straight games and is building momentum for a run at the ACC title. Standing in the way this week is Clemson, which is 2-1 in league play, one game behind Atlantic Division leader Boston College (3-0). Tommy Bowden's squad opened the season with four straight wins, but tasted defeat for the first time last week, dropping a 13-3 decision at Georgia Tech. This game marks the 30th all-time meeting between these two teams. Clemson holds a 17-11-1 advantage in the series, but the Hokies have closed the gap with wins in each of the last four meetings. Last season, Virginia Tech posted a 24-7 victory over Clemson in Blacksburg.

With the exception of a blowout win over FCS member William & Mary, the Hokies' offense has struggled. The team is averaging a mere 285.6 yards of total offense per game. The ground game is netting 116.6 yards per game, while the passing game has had a lot of problems at just 169.0 ypg. Talented tailback Branden Ore has gotten off to a slow start in 2007, averaging a meager 3.5 yards per carry. Young QB Tyrod Taylor has taken over under center and has played to mixed reviews. The duel threat signal-caller has completed just 50.6 percent of his passes, for 487 yards with one TD and one INT. The receiving corps is nothing to get excited over either, led by Josh Morgan and his 17 receptions, for 203 yards. Someone will need to step up on the offensive side of the ball, if Tech is to make a run at the conference crown over the second half of the season.

The Tech defense has picked up the slack for the offense in the first half of the season. The team is allowing just 15.0 ppg, on 308.2 yards of total offense and usually gives the team a chance to win most games. In all, the team has allowed just nine TDs in the first five games and has halted many a drive, allowing foes to convert just .333 on third down (27-of-82). A trio of All-American candidates highlight the play on this side of the football. Veteran LBs Vince Hall (50 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks) and Xavier Adibi (47 tackles. 6.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) highlight the play in the middle of the field, while CB Brandon Flowers (35 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, one INT) is as good as it gets among ACC defensive backs.

The Tigers were completely shut down at Georgia Tech this past week, an anomaly when looking at the offensive numbers on the year. Despite the poor performance, Clemson is still averaging just over 400 yards of total offense (401.6) with a good mix of the run (150.0 ypg) and the pass (251.6 ypg). The ground game is one of the conference's best, thanks to the rushing exploits of James Davis and C.J. Spiller. Davis currently leads the team in rushing with 454 yards and is netting 6.5 yards per carry. Spiller has suffered a bit of a sophomore slump and is struggling at just 3.6 yards per carry in 2007. Quarterback Cullen Harper has solidified the play under center for Clemson, having completed 62.6 percent of his passes this year, for 1,158 yards with 12 TDs and just one INT. Aaron Kelly has clearly been the go-to-guy downfield, leading the team in receptions (28), receiving yards (342) and TD catches (3).

Defensively, the Tigers have been hurt by opposing ground games (154.2 ypg), but have thrived against the pass (149.2 ypg). The team has been able to make big plays when needed, with 11 forced turnovers, but needs to do a better job at putting pressure on opposing QBs. The loss of All-American DE Gaines Adams to the NFL has all but eliminated Clemson's pass rush, with the team collecting just eight sacks in the first five games. Defensive end Ricky Sapp leads the team in that category with two QB takedowns and is the only Tiger with more than one sack to his credit. Linebacker Nick Watkins currently leads the team in tackles with 51. Fellow LB Tramaine Billie (30 tackles) is good in the middle as well. DE Phillip Merling (36 tackles, team-high 8.0 TFLs) must be accounted for along the defensive front, while safety Chris Clemons (36 tackles) represents the secondary well.

The Hokies have struggled big time on the offensive side of things and Clemson's defense should be able to present problems for Tech, especially in Death Valley. On the flip side, Clemson has enough weapons to put up a couple of scores and that should be enough to get the victory here.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 23, Virginia Tech 17