Hokie opponent watch and rooting guide: Week six

Virginia Tech couldn't quite handle the heat against Clemson, but all is not lost. Keep on winning, and a rematch is in order. If opponents win enough that VT's strength of schedule is strong, it could still be a solid year yet.

As always, our rooting interests are as follows: we want teams on the schedule to beat teams that aren't on the schedule, so the Hokies play the toughest slate possible (and get the credit for it at the end of the season). Intra-conference games in the ACC get a little more complicated, and we break them down when relevant. Out-of-conference results that help VT - mostly in terms of the opportunity to move up the national rankings - are also important.

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Clemson 31, Virginia Tech 17

The final score is a little bit misleading - VT scored a meaningless touchdown with barely more than a minute on the clock, and was between two and three touchdowns in the red for the entire second half - but the Hokies weren't completely outclassed. A few mistakes here and there on both sides of the ball (and in the coaching booth) could have made a difference in this one. Virginia Tech needed a near-perfect game to beat a team with Clemson's talent, and didn't get it.

This week: Virginia Tech v. Boston College
8:00 p.m. Saturday • Chestnut Hill, Mass. • ESPN2

The Hokies have the opportunity to get back on the right side of the ledger with a trip to Boston College. The Eagles' defense is once again outstanding against the pass (among the nation's best), but has fallen off against the run (nearly as close to the bottom as the pass defense is to the top). VT can works its offense, while the Lunch Pail D should have no trouble with an Eagles attack that is as bad as it ever was.