Virginia Tech Hokies (3-2, 2-0) vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (2-3, 1-2)
Time: Noon EDT
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010
Place: Lane Stadium/Worsham Field (66,233), Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: VT ISP, XM 191, Sirius 213
Central Michigan: The Chips are coming off a 31-17 loss to Ball State last week at home, in which they trailed 28-3 after the third quarter ... CMU committed four turnovers and forced one in the game while being out-rushed, 306-76 ... for the season, CMU averages 3.7 ypc and 7.6 ypa and allows 3.6 ypc and 6.2 ypa ... CMU QB Ryan Radcliff had his worst game of the season, going 25-for-48 (52.1 percent) for 295 yards (6.1 ypa), two touchdowns and three interceptions ... the Chips also gave up 7.1 ypc against Ball State ... the 306 yards rushing by Ball State was the most by a CMU opponent since Clemson gained 341 yards on the ground against it in 2007.
Trends: The Hokies have won three consecutive games after dropping their first two of the season ... the Chippewas have lost two consecutive games and three of their last four ... since becoming an FBS program, CMU is 4-18 against teams from the Big Ten and 0-15 against teams from the other five AQ conferences ... Virginia Tech has won 13 of its last 15 home games.
History Lesson: This is the first meeting between the two teams ... VT is 16-2 all-time against teams from the MAC and has won its last nine games against the MAC ... its last loss to a MAC team was Oct. 4, 1997 when it lost to Miami U., 24-17 ... Central Michigan is 0-4 all-time against the ACC, including a 31-10 loss to Boston College last season.
What to Expect
- This offseason CMU switched from a spread offense to a pro-style one modeled after Michigan State, where new head coach Dan Enos was the running backs coach for Michigan State.
- Expect the Chips to be balanced. They've run 170 running plays and 185 passing plays so far this season.
- Expect the Hokies to be able to get to Radcliff. CMU has allowed 16 sacks this season, which is tied for 113th in the nation.
- Expect Tech to be able to have success through the air. Central Michigan's pass defense, especially over the middle, has been weak when I've seen the Chips this year.