While the Hokies (5-0, 1-0 Big East) climb in the polls, it is the Orangemen (5-1, 2-0) who actually top the league race. Syracuse has beaten West Virginia and Pittsburgh in league play, while Virginia Tech has knocked off lowly Rutgers.

Despite sitting atop the league standings, Syracuse is a double-digit underdog in this game against the powerful Hokies, who can consider this contest and a November 13 date with Miami as their main obstacles to an unbeaten regular season.

These teams played a classic last season, with the Orangemen emerging with a 28-26 victory in the Carrier Dome as Donovan McNabb connected with tight end Stephen Brominski for a touchdown on the final play of the game.

McNabb is now in the NFL, leaving Virginia Tech freshman Michael Vick as a Big East quarterback that can do it all. Vick, who ranks second on Hokies in rushing, tied a school record with four touchdown passes last weekend's 58-20 pounding of Rutgers.

The Hokies probably will not have the same success against a Syracuse defense that ranks 23rd in the nation and has swallowed up opponents' passing attacks. The secondary of cornerbacks Will Allen and David Byrd and safeties Ian McIntosh and Quentin Harris have been superb all season.

Assuming Syracuse's secondary performs up to its capabilities, it will be the job of linebackers Marlon Greenwood and Keith Bulluck to key on Hokies tailback Shyrone Stith, who has totaled 580 yards and six touchdowns on 113 carries.

The Orangemen were expected to fall off offensively following the depature of McNabb but they have been better than could be expected. Combined, Madei Williams and Troy Nunes lead the Big East in passing efficiency.

Whomever is behind center for Syracuse will hand often to Dee Brown while looking for wideout Quinton Spotwood, who likely will be covered by standout Ike Charlton.

The key to the game might be how well Syracuse's offensive line protects the quarterback. The Hokies defensive front four, lead by All-American defensive end Corey Moore, might be the best in the nation.

McNabb was able to avoid that rush in last year's game and the mobile Williams appears more likely than Nunes to do so this time.

Syracuse leads the all-time series, 7-5.

SYRACUSE Season schedule and results	VIRGINIA TECH Season schedule and results
Sep. 2 @Toledo W 35-12 Sep. 11 Central Michigan W 47-7 Sep. 18 Michigan L 13-18 Sep. 25 West Virginia W 30-7 Oct. 2 Tulane W 47-17 Oct. 7 @Pittsburgh W 24-17 Oct. 16 @Virginia Tech TBA Oct. 30 Boston College 12:00pm ET Nov. 6 Temple 12:00pm ET Nov. 13 @Rutgers 12:00pm ET Nov. 27 @Miami (Fla.) 3:30pm ET	Sep. 4 James Madison W 47-0 Sep. 11 Alabama Birmingham W 31-10 Sep. 23 Clemson W 31-11 Oct. 2 @Virginia W 31-7 Oct. 9 @Rutgers W 58-20 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