TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- As parents of Florida State students flock to Tallahassee this weekend, so will the Hokies out of Virginia Tech.
Florida State (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) will play host to Tech for the first time ever in conference play.
Tech joined the Atlantic Coast Conference back in 2004 and has yet to make a trip to Doak Campbell Stadium since.
On their other road trips however, the Hokies have been very impressive. Tech is 16-2 while playing at other ACC venues since joining the league.
The Hokies (5-2, 2-1 ACC) have only lost in one other ACC stadium besides their own, and both losses came against Boston College at Alumni Stadium; once in 2006 and again this past weekend.
As of right now, both the 'Noles and the Hokies have their heads above water in the wide-open Atlantic and Coastal Divisions.
The race to see who plays in Tampa this December for a shot at the ACC Championship is more open than it has ever been, but both teams must win this game if they intend to remain a strong player for the title.
Last season, the Tribe traveled to Blacksburg, Va., to take on the Hokies. Early in the game, starting quarterback Drew Weatherford left the game with a concussion.
With back-up Xavier Lee suspended, the 'Noles were forced to turn to then-redshirt freshman Christian Ponder, who had never taken a snap in a college football game.
Ponder looked sharp early and eventually led the 'Noles to a 21-20 lead late in the third quarter.
However, the lead was short lived for Ponder and the Seminoles, as he fumbled on a fourth-quarter run and then threw two interceptions late in the game as FSU fell to Tech, 40-21.
"I think I needed that game," Ponder said. "If not, I probably wouldn't be standing here as the starting quarterback now."
One good thing that came out of the loss was that Ponder, who ran for 51 yards on 10 carries, saw that he can be a mobile quarterback against what was one of the best defenses in college football last season.
"It's one thing to run like that in high school, but to be able to do it against them really gave me confidence knowing I can move pretty well at this level," Ponder said.
Last year, Florida State was the heavy underdog as it took a 6-3 record into Lane Stadium to play the No. 11 Hokies.
This season is a different story, however. Florida State is the nationally ranked team of the two and has been consistent thus far this season, and Ponder is establishing himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the conference.
Tech's offense has been a one-man show for most of the season.
Tyrod Taylor, who planned to redshirt this season, was called to play because of starting quarterback Sean Glennon's lack of playmaking ability.
Taylor is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback; he leads the Hokies in both rushing and passing yards.
"(Taylor) is one of the most talented scramblers that we have faced since we have been here, and we have played against some good ones," said defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.
Even when passing plays are called by the Hokies, Taylor is likely to take off and make plays with his legs.
"One out of every four times they call a pass he ends up running it," Andrews said after breaking down film of Tech earlier this week.
Offensively, the Tribe will look to continue with their rough style and establish a solid running game early with senior running back Antone Smith, who leads the ACC in scoring.
When Ponder is called upon to pass the ball, he will have to keep an eye on defensive back Victor "Macho" Harris, who currently has 13 career interceptions.
Ponder will be without one of his biggest weapons in wide receiver Bert Reed, who will be suspended for Saturday's contest for a violation of team rules.
Ponder will still be able to use several other targets at receiver, including freshman Taiwan Easterling, who has caught a team-high 17 passes for 201 yards in the last five games.
Saturday's game is the start of a tough second half of the season for Florida State, who most likely need to win the rest of their ACC games in order to have a chance at winning their first conference crown since 2005.