The No.10 Clemson Tigers travel to Blacksburg, Virginia Thursday night to play Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium in the first ACC action between the schools since Virginia Tech entered the ACC. Saturday might be the first clash between the schools as league members however the game is the 29th battle in the series that began in 1900. ESPN will televise the game beginning at 7:45 p.m. (Eastern).
So far the 2006 Clemson football season has the makings of a special year. The Tigers are 7-1 for just the second time since1987 and are ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 2000.
The Hokies have won each of the last three games in the series, one at Clemson, one at Blacksburg, and one in the 2001 Gator Bowl. Those three consecutive wins all came under Frank Beamer in 1998, 1999 and 2000.The 1998 victory was in Tommy West’s last year and the 1999 and 2000 wins for Virginia Tech took place against Tommy Bowden. The two teams have not met since the 2001 Gator Bowl at the end of the 2000 season.
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Clemson has a quick turnaround in playing at Virginia Tech on Thursday night. The Tigers defeated Georgia Tech this past Saturday.
This is the second time this year Clemson has had a quick turnaround. Clemson defeated Wake Forest on October 7, a Saturday, and then defeated Temple on Thursday night October 12 in Charlotte.
Thursday evening’s game between Clemson and Virginia Tech will showcase the top two rushers in the ACC, the only two in the league averaging at least 100 yards per game. Clemson’s James Davis is averaging 120.1 yards per game, a record pace for a Tiger running back, while Virginia Tech’s Brandon Ore stands second in the league at 105.1 yards per game. Davis is ninth in the nation in rushing and Ore is 14th entering this week’s play.
Davis and Ore also rank one-two in the ACC in all-purpose running. Davis is first at 133 yards per game, while Ore is second at 130.4. The duo is also one-two in scoring and touchdowns. Davis averages 12.0 points per game, second in the nation and his 16 touchdowns are also first in the ACC and second in the nation. Ore has 10 touchdowns and is averaging 8.6 points per game.
Clemson and Virginia Tech also rank one-two in the ACC in total defense and pass defense, meaning it will be an interesting battle throughout. Clemson is giving up 230.4 yards per game, but Virginia Tech is close behind at 242.7 yards per game. The two teams are also one-two in scoring defense and scoring offense. Statistically there are many areas where you can say this is a matchup of the top two teams in the ACC from a defensive standpoint.
