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The Team

• The Hokies have a history of not showing up for bowl games. While Kyle Tucker reports the Hokies are focused, I won't believe it until I see it. I've been burned too many times.
• We know the Vols will come ready to play because this game is in Atlanta and Georgia is a big piece of Lane Kiffin's recruiting plan. The Hokies will need to match the intensity of the Vols if they want to win consecutive bowls for the first time in their history.
• The Hokies need this one more than the Vols do. A win would continue their precious 10-win streak and finally get the SEC monkey off their back. Hopefully that's enough to motivate the Hokies going into this game.

Virginia Tech Offense vs. Tennessee Defense

• Each team's running back will be their key on offense in this game. The Hokies need Ryan Williams to pace their offense against the Vols. 
• Tennessee's run defense was No. 11 in the SEC in ypc allowed at 4.79 against league foes. Only Kentucky was worse, giving up 5.1 ypc in SEC games. Its worst game against the run came against Ole Miss the same week three of their players were accused of armed robbery in the parking lot of a convenience store. That game saw the Rebels average 7.18 ypc on their way to 359 yards.
• While I doubt the Hokies will be able to match Ole Miss' output in that game, I hope they use Williams in the same ways Ole Miss used Dexter McCluster in that game. McCluster took several direct snaps against the Vols. Hopefully the Hokies will do the same with Williams out the Wild Turkey after having a few weeks to practice it.
• When the Hokies are forced to pass, they need to be as efficient as they've been the whole year. The Tennessee secondary is probably the best we'll face all year. The Vols have nine interceptions and have allowed only five touchdowns through the air in 2009.
• The wild card when Tech is on offense is the play of Tyrod Taylor. Taylor is the first true dual-threat quarterback the Vols have faced this year. I think Taylor will have to do damage with his feet as well as his arm against Tennessee.