Virginia Tech Schedule

Aug. 30 vs. East Carolina (in Charlotte), noon

The skinny The Pirates gave a veteran Tech team a scare in last year’s opener and beat Boise State in a bowl. They return 20 starters and could pose an even bigger threat to these young Hokies.

Ticket info Sold out

Sept. 6 vs. Furman, 1:30 p.m.

The skinny Beware the curse of Appalachian State. Furman, which has appeared in three Division I-AA title games, wasn’t its old self in going 6-5 last season. This game should be most notable for the Hokies’ “White Out” effect in the crowd.

Ticket info Sold out

Sept. 13 vs. Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m.

The skinny Paul Johnson’s tricky triple-option comes to town. Even without optimal personnel for running this scheme, the oddity alone should provide a challenge for a young defense .

Ticket info Sold out

Sept. 20 at North Carolina, TBA

The skinny Unless the Tar Heels sputter early, Chapel Hill should be rocking. Butch Davis seems to have whipped North Carolina into shape and this early showdown could decide the Coastal Division.

Ticket info Sold out

Sept. 27 at Nebraska, TBA

The skinny The Cornhuskers are far from their old powerhouse status, but there’s more for the Hokies to fear in Lincoln than just the sea of rowdy, red-clad fans. QB Joe Ganz threw for 1,399 yards and 15 TDs in the final three games of 2007. RB Marlon Lucky is the Big 12’s top returning rusher. And new coach Bo Pelini is a defensive wizard .

Ticket info Sold out

Oct. 4 vs. Western Kentucky, TBA

The skinny The Hilltoppers won the I-AA title in 2002 and are in their second year of a move to Division I-A . WKU won seven games last season .

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Oct. 18 at Boston College, TBA

The skinny Beating the Eagles in last year’s ACC title game didn’t erase the memory of BC stealing a last-second victory earlier in the year. Or Tech’s embarrassing loss in Chestnut Hill two years ago. The Hokies still feel like they owe the Eagles .

Ticket info Sold out

Oct. 25 at Florida State, TBA

The skinny Last season’s rout in Lane Stadium delivered a palpable sense of relief for Tech coach Frank Beamer, who had never beaten Bobby Bowden. Could Beamer’s first win in Tallahassee be next? With seven starters back on both offense and defense, the Seminoles should make it tough.

Ticket info seminoles.cstv.com

Nov. 6 vs. Maryland, 7:30 p.m.

The skinny The Terps could be the surprise of the Atlantic Division. They return eight starters on offense. Coach Ralph Friedgen, hoping to kick-start a team that won just six games in 2007, relinquished play-calling duties and hired James Franklin to install a West Coast attack. Could be Tech’s toughest home game.

Ticket info Sold out

Nov. 13 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

The skinny The Hurricanes return just two starters on offense, but that might be a good thing. Following an embarrassing 5-7 season, Miami needs new blood. The defense is loaded with talent, but it’s young. While “The U” is tough to predict, this game usually plays a major role in deciding the division.

Ticket info 1-800-GO-CANES

Nov. 22 vs. Duke, TBA

The skinny Yes, David Cutcliffe is in charge now. And recruiting has picked up. But it’s Duke. Tech has beaten the Blue Devils by a combined 165-31 in the past four years. It may take longer than a few months for Cutty to cure all that ails the perennial cellar-dweller.

Ticket info Sold out

Nov. 29 vs. Virginia, TBA

The skinny Tech has won four in a row and eight of its past nine against the Cavaliers. Last year was U.Va.’s best team in recent memory, but the Hokies still ran away with it. And, after all the Cavs’ attrition, an upset in Blacksburg seems as unlikely as ever.

Ticket info Sold out