BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- No. 14 Virginia Tech begins what should be an easy two-week stretch against non-conference foes by welcoming intrastate rival James Madison to Lane Stadium.

It is the opening game for both institutions.

The Hokies' schedule is set-up well. They host Big East Conference contender Miami and Syracuse and the toughest road trips are to Virginia and West Virginia. A darkhorse pick to reach the Sugar Bowl, the Hokies will attempt to work out any kinks against the Dukes and Alabama-Birmingham.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is not convinced the first game is going to be that easy.

"James Madison, a school in our state, is going to have a lot of enthusiam," Beamer said. "The unknown scares you. Not knowing what is coming up certainly it is not very confident, it's unsettling. We know James Madison is going to come in here full of enthusiam but we just have to worry about ourselves."

The biggest kink to work out is behind center, where Michael Vick, who many consider the team's next star, inherits the quarterback duties. Beamer refused to use Vick when injuries racked the team's quarterbacks a year ago, preserving his redshirt season.

Outside of the quarterback, the rest of the offense is solid and Virginia Tech's defense is one of the best in the nation. Running back Shyrone Stith and Jarrett Ferguson help form one of the nation's best backfields, Ricky Hall is a top-flight receiver and junior tight end Derek Carter is emerging.

But the Hokies' success will be linked to their defense. Defense ends Corey Moore and John Engelberger could both wind up as All-Americans, while tackles Nat Williams and Carl Bradley are not too bad, either.

Michael Hawkes and Jamel Smith lead the linebacking corps, while cornerbacks Anthony Midget and Ike Charlton are the best tandem in the Big East.

"We just have to go out and play," Beamer added. "We've fought for years around here for respect. It's what you do on the field. Miami did it (Sunday) and we have yet to do it."

The Hurricanes and Hokies will be compared throughout the season until Miami visits on November 13.

This game will be the first for the Dukes under a new regime. Mickey Mathews assumed the program's reign after four-year coach Alex Wood resigned in March to take a job with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Eight of the nine assistant coaches also are new to the program.

JAMES MADISON Season schedule and results	VIRGINIA TECH Season schedule and results
Sep. 4 @Virginia Tech 1:00pm ET Sep. 11 Northeastern TBA Sep. 18 @New Hampshire TBA Sep. 25 Delaware 7:00pm ET Oct. 2 @Villanova 1:00pm ET Oct. 16 @William & Mary 1:00pm ET Oct. 23 Connecticut TBA Oct. 30 South Florida 1:30pm ET Nov. 6 @Maine 1:00pm ET Nov. 13 Richmond TBA Nov. 20 @Hofstra 12:00pm ET	Sep. 4 James Madison 1:00pm ET Sep. 23 Clemson 8:00pm ET Oct. 2 @Virginia TBA Oct. 9 @Rutgers TBA Oct. 16 Syracuse TBA Oct. 30 @Pittsburgh 12:00pm ET Nov. 6 @West Virginia 3:30pm ET Nov. 13 Miami (Fla.) 7:30pm ET Nov. 20 @Temple TBA Nov. 26 Boston College 2:30pm ET