Michael Via News

When Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor meets the University of Virginia's stout secondary Saturday in Charlottesville, something has to give.

In the spirit of Rivalry Week, I'd like to quote a noted scholar, who once said of Virginia-Virginia Tech: "It's like the rivalry between the hammer and the nail." That was Pilot columnist Bob Molinaro, famous for his salty one-liners that often ring uncomfortably true.

Virginia Tech center Beau Warren, who has missed the past two games with a left knee injury, said Tuesday that he was unsure if he would return for Saturday's game North Carolina State.

Virginia Tech tailback Ryan Williams was announced as one of the 10 semifinalistsA today for the 2009 Doak Walker Award.

Ryan Williams couldn't be consoled late on the night of Oct. 29. Or the next day, for that matter.

The center must be one of the sharpest players on a football field. He has to spot the middle linebacker, scan the defense's alignment and notify the other offensive linemen if he sees something that might portend a blitz - all in a few seconds before he snaps the ball.

There's an important message Ryan Williams' coaches and Virginia Tech teammates are trying to get across this week: Nearly every one of the freshman's first 162 collegiate carries can be considered a success.

Virginia Tech 's poise and motivation faced their sternest tests Thursday. The Hokies passed both in a 16-3 road victory at East Carolina.

Virginia Tech's season changed course during the past two games, from national-championship chase to trying to avoid becoming an ACC also-ran, partly because the Hokies' defense couldn't do something it usually does so well: get opponents off the field.

It's been almost two months ago, but Michael Via remembers the words of Virginia Tech offensive line coach Curt Newsome like yesterday.

Virginia Tech trails North Carolina 14-7 after three but is driving. Bad news for Hokies is center Beau Warren sprained his left knee midway through the third quarter and will not return.

BLACKSBURG, VA. -- Tyrod Taylor dropped back into the pocket only to gaze at a whirlwind of white jerseys coming in his direction. If the Virginia Tech quarterback rolled out, he was often followed by a North Carolina defensive lineman.

Virginia Tech spent the first half of the season sampling some of the nation's finest linemen. On Thursday, the Hokies' offensive line had perhaps its toughest test of the ACC season when it faced North Carolina's celebrated defensive line. Virginia Tech struggled, even watching a North Carolina defensive lineman force the fumble that led to the Tar Heels' 20-17 upset of the No. 14 Hokies.

Saturday's clash between No. 19 Nebraska and No. 13 Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium will be the nation's only major college football game involving a pair of ranked teams.

TRIMMED LINE Virginia Techa s offensive line, traditionally known for starting slow, being heavy and lacking depth, appears leaner and more athletic this season.

Just a quick nightcap. I grabbed several interviews after tonight's practice and I'll spread them out over the next couple of days.

Sorry, folks, not a whole heckuva lot to give you this evening. None of today's practice was open to the hacks and we aren't allowed any interviews.