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Virginia Tech-Virginia Preview

Nov 24, 2009 - 8:16 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

No. 14 Virginia Tech (8-3) at Virginia (3-8), 3:30 p.m. EDT

Virginia Tech has taken advantage of the two worst teams in the ACC the last two weeks. Those easy wins likely won't have the same satisfaction as one Saturday against the third-worst club in the conference.

The No. 14 Hokies look to defeat state rival Virginia for the sixth straight season when they visit Scott Stadium for the Commonwealth Cup.

Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2) has won three straight, posting back-to-back victories over Maryland and North Carolina State. The Terrapins and Wolfpack are tied for last place in the Atlantic Division.

Virginia (3-8, 2-5) is in last in the Coastal, and this could be its last game under coach Al Groh. The Hokies have won every matchup since 2004, with four straight wins by double digits before a 17-14 comeback victory last season.

Tyrod Taylor completed 12 of 18 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 137 yards in last year's win. Taylor has thrown for 13 touchdowns this season and ran for four.

"Tyrod, at least in conference games, is first in the conference in passing efficiency, so he's obviously doing the principal thing that quarterbacks have to do is to pass the ball very well," Groh said. "And their yards-per-catch is extraordinary this year as a result of his passing."

Groh is in his ninth season with the Cavaliers, going 59-52. He's trying to avoid speculation about his job.

"It's really not about me. It's about the team and it's about the players," he said. "You know, that's all I'm really thinking about, so I don't really have any thoughts on it."

The coach will get his first look at Hokies freshman running back Ryan Williams, who ranks fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,355 yards. Williams has averaged 141.7 yards the last three games after gaining 120 last Saturday in a 38-10 win over North Carolina State.

Williams broke Darren Evans' freshman school record of 1,265 yards set last season.

"I was just out there grinding for all the yardage," Williams told Virginia Tech's official Web site. "The record ended up coming my way. It feels pretty good to have it.

"But I don't find it as a big deal. I'm just glad we got the win. That's all I'm thinking about."

Jarrett Boykin had six catches for 164 yards and a touchdown, giving him two straight 100-yard efforts. The 164 yards are the sixth-highest total by a player under coach Frank Beamer.

The Hokies have been stifling on defense, allowing 22 points and one offensive touchdown during the three-game win streak. Virginia Tech has 12 sacks over the last two games and 28 for the season.

"We want to get those 10 wins and everyone is trying to do their part to help us," safety Kam Chancellor said. "Everyone is playing their position and not worrying about what's going on on the other side of the field or what's going on down in the box. If you play your position, you'll be alright. That's what we're doing."

Linebacker Cody Grimm has been a key to the defense with three forced fumbles last week and an FBS-high seven for the season. Grimm also had two sacks against the Wolfpack.

"He's amazing," Beamer said. "I never see him get tired. He keeps going the same speed all the time and he's a playmaker. The game makes sense and he has a knack of making plays."

The Cavaliers have lost five straight and are 0-4 against ranked teams after falling 34-21 at then-No. 18 Clemson last weekend. Virginia did not score in the second half.

The 21 points were more than Virginia had put up in any of its previous five games. Jameel Sewell threw for 160 yards and one touchdown, and Mikell Simpson rushed 14 times for 84 yards.

Sewell has been sacked seven times, picked off twice and not thrown a touchdown the last two years against Virginia Tech.

"It would definitely be a bright spot for everybody to end off with a 'W,'" Groh said. "And just for the coaching staff, not knowing what's going on with all of their futures."