Quarterbacks
Edge: Virginia Tech
Michael Vick gets the advantage over the Syracuse tandem of Madei Williams and Troy Nunes because he is on a roll. There's no advantage in terms of experience because they are all young quarterbacks. Vick doesn't have to do as much to win a ballgame because his defense and special teams have been so dominant. The Syracuse quarterbacks are coming around. They both run the option and power games. But with two different quarterbacks, you don't know which one will have the hot hand. I like having one steady guy. I give Vick the edge, but this will be his first big test.

	Gilmore's Grades
	Syracuse		Va. Tech
		QB	X
		RB	X
	X	WR/TE
	X	OL	X
		DL	X
	X	LB
		DB	X
		Special teams	X
	X	Coaching	X

Running backs
Edge: Virginia Tech
I like Virginia Tech with Shyrone Stith. He doesn't get a lot of attention, but he is one of the best all-around running backs in the country, and certainly one of the best the Hokies have ever had. He can help Vick a great deal by the way he picks up the blitz. He is a very good blocker, receiver and runner. He will be a solid outlet receiver on occasion. Stith has only caught three balls this season, but he is always out there in the flat. When he catches the ball, he does good things with it. I think we will see more of him catching the ball this week.

Receivers/Tight ends
Edge: Syracuse
I give the edge to Syracuse because of one player: Quinton Spotwood. He had the knee injury last year, but he has been rounding back into shape. The last couple of games he has looked like his old self. He is averaging 17 yards a catch and has three touchdowns, so it looks his confidence is back. For the Hokies, Andre Davis has shown the ability to catch the deep ball. However, in his matchup against a quality Syracuse secondary, I'm not sure if Davis will be able to catch any deep passes. But I think Spotwood could catch some shorter routes and make some yards after the catch.

Offensive line
Edge: Even
This is a tough matchup because the lines are very similar in terms of what they are asked to do and the types of fronts they are going to face. The Orangemen have a choice of blocking the option or the power game well. I'm not certain which they will be able to do more effectively against Virginia Tech, given the pressure the Hokies will bring. I'm not sure we will see a lot of great running in this game. The Hokies line will be tested by the strength of Syracuse's quick front seven as well. I'm not sure there is a real advantage for either team. Both perform well, but they haven't played against defenses like this. The key for both teams will be whether the lines can protect the quarterbacks when the pressure is coming -- and it will come a lot in this game.

Defensive line
Edge: Virginia Tech
Everyone talks about defensive end Corey Moore -- his sacks, his speed and his quickness. I give the advantage to the Hokies also because of the other defensive end, John Engelberger. He doesn't get as much attention, but he is probably more physical than Moore. The Hokies can move Engelberger inside to tackle. He's disruptive, and teams have to block him with two players. There isn't quite a comparison for Syracuse. But I expect the Orangemen to try to run at or inside Moore because he comes off the corner so wide.

Linebackers
Edge: Syracuse
Keith Bulluck is a standout player who was moved from middle linebacker to the weak side, freeing him up to run around and make plays. People aren't getting a guard, tackle or fullback out to block him as much. He can roam and make tackles. I don't know if the Hokies will be able to get anyone on Bulluck. I like Jamel Smith, the Hokies' leading tackler. But I give the edge to the Orangemen because of Bulluck. Plus, their linebackers have tremendous speed.

Defensive backs
Edge: Syracuse
Syracuse has a clear advantage in the secondary. The cornerbacks, Will Allen and David Byrd, are top-notch. They play excellent man-to-man coverage and aren't afraid to continue playing that style. They match up better against the Virginia Tech receivers than the Hokies' corner do against Syracuse. Traditionally, the secondary has been an issue for Virginia Tech. That's where teams have taken shots against the Hokies. Ike Charlton is a good corner for the Hokies, but as a group, Allen and Byrd give the Orangemen the edge.

Special teams
Edge: Virginia Tech
You have to favor the Hokies based on their history of blocking kicks. They got their first one last week. They always manage to put pressure on the opposing kicker and disrupt the returns, if nothing else. They have more ability to make plays with their special teams than any other team. The hallmarks of Frank Beamer's teams have been defense and special teams. People go to Beamer in the offseason to learn how to block kicks.

Coaching
Edge: Even
The key is who makes better adjustments after the first few series. Both are veteran, solid staffs. George DeLeone is now running the offense for Syracuse. If he discovers that one type of option isn't working, he will make an adjustment early on, or in the second quarter or at halftime to run a different type of option to take advantage of what Virginia Tech's defense is doing. Looking at Beamer and his staff, what will they do if there's too much pressure on Vick? How will they get him comfortable? Will they start to roll him out? Will they shrink the offense and leave it to the defense and special teams to win the game? This coaching matchup is really a push. Both Beamer and Paul Pasqualoni are good, game-day, sideline coaches. Syracuse will do as much as it can to make Vick think. If Vick is being an athlete and reacting, the Syracuse coaches need to change the pace.