I'm trying to find my Kick-Off classic game for this year and I just can't seem to turn my attention to any other game but this showdown against the Hokies and the Tigers. I'm sure we will find one on opening weekend. Northwestern hit nicely for us last year and I expect similar results, but for a brief minute, I have no choice but to throw out this contest. I think this has cash written all over it, but of course it is to early to tell, but here are some interesting tidbits on what is clearly an early heavyweight matchup..

Va. Tech - Fighting adversity like no other. The players were forced to sit out almost 2 weeks because of the tragedy that took place in Blacksburg. I will let you know their moto for the 2007 season. " None of us is as good as ALL of us " That is everywhere on the Tech campus.

Beamer is entering his 21st season as the Hokies coach and has said, this is the one of the toughest years he has ever had and the first pass has yet to be thrown. The fact of the matter is, the Hokies have stepped up like warriors since the incident. Their leading tailback Brandon Ore ( 1,000 yard rusher and 16 TD's ) is now listed as the #3 RB on the depth charts, due to the fact that Kenny Lewis has a lot on the line this year. He lost one of his best friends in the shooting and this kid has been LIGHTS OUT and is determined to take his frustration out on opposing teams. The Hokies are STACKED at the RB spot and they return QB Brandon Glenn and his top 2 Wideouts in speedsters Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan. Keep an eye on Justin Harper, this kid is the playmaker and has trouble written all over him for opposing teams..

The Hokies return 8 starters on offense from a team that ranked 99th overall. A big disappointement to say the least, but that's the lessons of inexperience. On the other hand, the Hokies return 8 starters on defense that ranked #1 overall in Div 1-A for the second year in a row and Defensive coordinator Bud Foster has stated this may be the BEST defensive team he has ever had led by DE Chris Ellis. LB's Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi and maybe the fastest set of CB's in the country in Victor Harris and Brandon Flowers. As always, opposing teams will have to deal with the Beamer Ball factor and those nasty special teams...

LSU - Oh boy, the big nasty's return. Many and I should I say MOST experts say that LSU has the best front 7 in football. Even though the Tigers are going threw a transition on offense and the Wideout spot has yet to be determined which hampers a new QB, the defense returns 8 starters that ranked 3rd in Div 1-A last year. The key for the Tigers, they lost both of their safeties, but the outlook looks great as the Tigers usually throw the strong S in the running mix, leaving the weak side for the middle routes. Can you say athletic ? This team has it and also has speed to burn. Let's not forget that Baton Rouge was the home of another tragedy. Many college students found residents on the campus of the Bayou Bengals.

Keep an eye on Trindon Holliday. This MOFO can get it on and if the Hokies do the all out rush on the punter, this guy will have room to run and speed to burn. How well this guy handles the new offensive of coaching staff remains to be seen, but he will be the most talented player on the field..

Expect the Tigers to look ahead with their showdown against the Hokies. First up for LSU will be their biatches in Miss St, where they hold a nice 9-1 record ATS in their last 10 against the Bulldogs.

On the other hand, The Hokies are an awful 0-3 ATS against their week 1 matchup in East Carolina, but trends are trends. It's just like a business using averages, IT WILL KILL YOU... The Hokies have 5 Sept games with the only matchup out of the state of Virginia against LSU.. The rest consist of E. Carolina, Ohio, William & Mary, UNC...

Virginia Tech took this contest in 2002 against the powerful Tigers, 26-8 in Blacksburg...

I have an opening line of LSU -7 1/2 - Haven't seen a total yet. Should be interesting to say the least.. Stay tune, we will have a play on this matchup...

Good Luck