Tech is clearly not what it used to be but still has a really strong home-field advantage -- Enter Sandman! -- and is playing better of late with dual-threat Kyrone Drones taking over under center. The Hokies apparently have their starting secondary healthy for the first time since the opener. And Michael Vick is in the house. The Orange are winless in the ACC and have lost their past two by a combined score of 81-10.

The Hokies did recently push Florida State and have now covered three in a row after Brent Pry moved dual-threat QB Kyron Drones into the lineup. Wake Forest certainly found out about Drones the last time we saw VPI in action when the Baylor transfer lit up the Deacs for 321 YP and a couple of TD tosses while plowing for another 59 rush yards after keeping the Noles off balance the previous week when rushing for 80. Meanwhile the ‘Cuse has disappeared into the ACC pack with three bad losses in a row and continuing disturbing trend for Dino Babers Orange teams that in recent years have invariably tailed off after midseason (it has started a bit earlier this term). Play VPI

You're not going to catch me backing the Hokies as a favorite. Sure, Cuse is off to an 0-3 start in ACC play, but it's played Clemson, Florida State and North Carolina. Just because the Hokies beat Wake and Pitt doesn't mean they're suddenly good.

Syracuse emerged from its recent schedule gantlet (Clemson, North Carolina, Florida State) battered and bruised. The Orange were outscored 112-24, and key offensive players remain out. The drop in competition level, plus the 1 1/2 weeks between games, helps a little. But the Hokies can be hellacious at home, especially on Thursday nights. 'Cuse coach Dino Babers is 6-24 straight-up on the road. Beware, visitors, of VT's pass rush, ranked eighth in the land along with a No. 11 sacks standing. Make of this stat what you will: Of the Orange's last two dozen games, the underdog has won outright once.

Both teams coming off a bye, but it's the Hokies who have looked good over the last month winning 2 of their last 3 games. Syracuse is coming off three straight losses, admittedly to solid ACC teams, but haven't looked particularly good in those losses (blown out in all three). I like how the Hokies defense matches up in this one and I love the Hokies dual threat QB Kyron Drones. It will be a great atmosphere at Lane Stadium. Take the home team to cover.