Collegiate Times

Last October, a highly-ranked Clemson Tigers team, which had strung together several wins following a loss in the second week of the season, entered a hostile Lane Stadium for a crucial conference game in front of a nationally televised audience.

Fast-forward to a year later, and the Virginia Tech Hokies are in nearly the same position that Clemson was last season when the two teams met.

In the last meeting, the Hokies dominated Clemson from the opening kickoff and cruised to a 24-7 victory. Tech's defense completely shut down the Tigers' dynamic backfield duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller, holding them to a measly 71 yards on 22 carries.

However, both Davis and Spiller return this season and have rushed for a combined 655 yards and five touchdowns through five games.

"We're playing a really good football team, offensively," said Tech head coach Frank Beamer. "Those two backs are unbelievable."

The Tech defense will once again look to contain the Clemson rushing attack and force the Tigers to beat them in the air, but that is no small task.

"The way those backs are... one missed tackle and it's a big play for them," said senior linebacker Vince Hall. "We just got to make sure we secure our tackles when we hit them."

Despite the strong early season play of quarterback Cullen Harper - he enters Saturday ranked 12th nationally in passing efficiency - the Tigers' offensive rhythm is predicated on the effectiveness of their rushing attack. The proof came last Saturday when Clemson suffered its first loss of the season in a 13-3 loss to Georgia Tech, a game in which Davis and Spiller ran for only 62 yards total.

Clemson, though, also missed four field goals, dropped a long snap on a punt and had another punt blocked in that game, which presents an obvious concern for Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden as he prepares for the Hokies.

"We spend time on punt protection every day of the week," Bowden said. "But (Virginia Tech) does create a sense of urgency and attention to detail because of its success, which you might not have with another team."

Tech returns to Death Valley for the second time this season - LSU's Tiger Stadium is also aptly known by the same name - having gained valuable experience from its first trip to the Valley.

"I think LSU was a good learning experience for us," said senior tackle Duane Brown. "For the younger guys going into (Clemson Memorial Stadium), I think they'll be a little bit better prepared."

Among those youngsters is true freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor. While Taylor has shown great promise in scrambling and making plays with his feet since coming in midway through the second quarter in Baton Rouge, La., Tech's passing game has not drastically improved following the quarterback switch and the Hokies sit 112th out of 119 teams in total offense. As a result, the Hokies could employ a simpler offensive approach in order to accommodate the number of reads the young quarterback needs to make.

"I really think, if anything, we need to cut back," Beamer said. "I think you try to cut back the quarterback reads... and not let (Taylor's) mind tie up his ability."

A strong running game will also help Taylor and the offense in a tough road environment. Junior running back Branden Ore has battled illness and injury in the early stages of the 2007 season but has shown steady improvement in recent weeks, including a season high 93 rush yards last week against North Carolina.

"Two weeks ago, he was sick on Friday and sick on Saturday," Beamer said. "Then he had the ankle injury and the hamstring injury, so he's kind of fighting through some things right now."

A healthy Ore could provide the extra boost that the Hokies need on offense to find some offensive rhythm and ensure that they don't face the same ominous fortune as Clemson did last season in Blacksburg.

The top-25 showdown will be broadcast on ESPN, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.