The hype surrounding tonight's Boston College game is reaching a fever pitch. Much like Miami did earlier this year, Boston College is pulling out all the stops in their home date with the Hokies.

At half time, the Eagles are going to honor the only two Boston College players who have ever had their jerseys retired, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and former Outland Trophy winner Mike Ruth.  In addition, BC has invited thirty former team captains back for this game.

Former UVa Wahoo linebacker and current New England Patriots player Chris Slade will be patrolling the sidelines because, as BC coach Tom O'Brien says, "He doesn't like Virginia Tech."

Many Boston College professors have canceled Friday morning classes, presumably in anticipation of low attendance, and Reebok is giving students a BC equivalent of the Pittsburgh Steelers' "Terrible Towel," which is probably called something like the "Golden Hankie."

Fans from both sides are working themselves into a lather as game time approaches. I know that I personally am going to be worthless at work today, as I count the hours until kickoff.

Meanwhile, Tech's offensive players are dropping like flies to injury and illness. You already know about Al Clark not being available, and Nick Sorensen being named as the starting quarterback. And you already know about fullback Cullen Hawkins being out with injury. Jarrett Ferguson will start in his place, and he'll be backed up by former linebacker Jake Houseright in the House's debut as a non-special-teams player. And of course, starting guard Josh Redding has been out since the Miami game.

Now we hear the news that starting center Keith Short, who turned an ankle in practice Sunday, probably won't be a hundred percent. This means that seldom-used backup Tim Schnecker, a Blacksburg native, could see significant playing time (more on that later).

As if that wasn't enough, Shayne Graham has been fighting an illness reported as strep throat, and his status is uncertain. And on top of that, Shyrone Stith's sprained ankle from the Pitt game is still a little tender.

It's a good thing this game is on Thursday, because if we had to wait two more days, I think two things would happen:

1. My head would pop off and spin into outer space, blasted into orbit by the pressure of waiting for a big game.

2. Tech would lose their entire starting offense to injury.

In the Big East's sixth season of round-robin play, one thing is clear: the rivalries are starting to heat up. Miami players, coaches, and fans were apoplectic about their fourth straight loss to the Hokies, and that rivalry will only get uglier and nastier.

Meanwhile, Tech fans unexpectedly sold out Lane Stadium and were vocal and intensely involved in the Hokies' thrashing of Pitt. Pitt, for crying out loud!

And now Boston College and their fans are foaming at the mouth over their shot at the Hokies. What a switch this is from just four years ago, when Tech players made a trip to Boston and spoke upon return of a palpable feeling of disrespect coming from the Boston College players and fans.

Yes, sir, life in the Big East is getting interesting. The Hokies are here to stay, and the other traditional powers in the conference are sensing it and taking the Hokies seriously.

In addition, as detailed in the Hokie Hotline notes from this past Monday, Tech is finally receiving major coverage from various national media outlets. Tuesday, Hokie Stone was featured in ESPN Sportszone's Tuesday Tradition, and today, The USA Today is running an article about Tech's special teams. The New York Times has an article planned on the Hokies, and the coup de grace, the brass ring, is a planned article in Sports Illustrated if the Hokies beat BC tonight.

Between the excitement of the building rivalry, the glaring attention of the national media, and the mounting offensive injuries for the Hokies, this game has more intrigue than an episode of Columbo.

What'll happen? Who knows? But it sure ain't as boring as beating up on Arkansas State for homecoming. Let's take a look at some keys to the game.

Some of the message board posters have done some great analysis of the game, but I find that most of what they've done turns out to be inconclusive. Boston College has put up some good numbers offensively, and BC's Mike Cloud is the fourth leading rusher in the country at 169 yards a game, but look who they've played: Georgia Tech, Rutgers, Temple, and Louisville. Not one of those teams is in the Top 50 in the country in total defense or rushing defense.

It's true that BC may have the best offense Tech has faced so far this year, although I don't think the Miami Hurricanes are too shabby in that department, either.  It's also true that Tech is by far the best defense that the Eagles have gone up against.  So, while we have taken the measure of our defense against a quality offensive opponent like Miami, BC hasn't yet seen a team that can play D like the no-nickname Hokies.

Get a load of Tech's national rankings in defense:

• #1 in rushing defense
• #11 in pass efficiency defense (thanks to one great play by Miami's Reggie Wayne, we're not ranked in the top 10)
• #3 in total defense
• #2 in scoring defense

It can be argued that Tech's defensive stats have been racked up against some mediocre offenses.  Only Miami, at #15 is ranked in the top 50 in the country in total offense.

For comparison, here are BC's national rankings in offense:

• #13 in rushing offense
• #30 in passing offense
• #11 in total offense
• #20 in scoring offense

We won't even get into Tech's offense versus Boston College's defense, because you can't find either of those two teams in the top 50 of many of the respective rankings.

But this is all just statsmanship.  The real question is, what's going to happen on the field?

Answer:  BC will not be able to run on Tech, meaning that I think the Eagles will gain no more than 125 yards on the ground.  BC will have to resort to the pass more than they're used to, and they're not as strong in the passing game, although they do have an experienced quarterback in Scott Mutryn, and at least one talented receiver in Anthony DiCosmo.

I just can't see Boston College scoring many points tonight, barring, of course, defensive touchdowns or Tech turnovers deep in VT territory.

On the other side of the ball, things could get rough for Tech.  Or maybe not.

Boston College does not have a good defense.  As you can see by looking through their  schedule/results on The USA Today's Boston College football page, the Eagles average giving up 26 points a game.   They have played two good teams, Ga. Tech and Louisville, and they've been pasted to the tune of 31 points and 52 points, respectively, in those two games.

BC is nowhere to be found in the top 50 in the country in total defense, and their pass defense in particular is weak.  So, although Tech is in a hole with injuries on offense, don't look for the Eagles to shut the Hokies out.

You can look for one thing, though, or rather, one person:  Chris Hovan.   Hovan, the BC noseguard, is a good football player, and last year, he ate Todd Washington's lunch.  I dread the thought of what he's going to do to Keith Short and/or Tim Schnecker tonight.

If Rickey Bustle is smart, he'll roll Nick Sorensen out to get him away from the pressure that Hovan will no doubt bring up the middle, and to take advantage of the weak parts of BC's defense (everywhere else but Hovan, in other words).  But be warned, the rollout is not a staple of Bustle's system, so you probably won't see it.

So, let's sum it up:

BC Offense vs. Tech Defense:  Tech will pretty much stuff the run, although with their big, experienced offensive line, BC may have more success than recent Tech opponents.  But to score, BC will have to pass, period.  Boston College will not light up the scoreboard on Tech.

Tech Offense vs. BC Defense:  Hovan will create havoc in the middle.  Tech will not run very well, (maybe 150 yards, max), and will likewise have to pass to win.  If the VT offensive line can keep Hovan's mitts off of Nick Sorensen, Nick may be able to hit some receivers, who should be open.  Tech will not light up the scoreboard on BC.  It will probably be Tech's lowest point total of the season, particularly if the defense doesn't score.

Other things to Note:

• BC's offensive line is big and good, but not deep.  If Tech rotates the DL like they have been doing, the BC offensive line will start to give up more penetration as the game wears on.
• Bustle will start Sorensen out with a flanker screen, and hopefully, with short passes to the tight end, like he did with Meyer against Pittsburgh.
• Jimmy Kibble may not have a good game punting.  His punting has been down lately, plus, he has probably been practicing placekicking all week.
• At the fullback position, Jake Houseright will not be asked to do much other than block, and in the passing game, I predict that that is all he will do.  He'll   probably key on blocking Hovan when the Hokies pass.

My Prediction:  13-7, Virginia Tech.  This game will be almost a carbon copy of the 1994 game, won 12-7 by the Hokies.  This will be a dogfight.  BC will come out emotionally jacked, as will the Hokies, but for Boston College, that emotion will subside quickly when they realize how good Tech's defense is.   This game will come down to 1 or 2 plays, just like the 1994 game did.

And Nick Sorensen will do just fine.

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