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• Date: Saturday, September 12th, 2009
• Time: 1:30
• TV: ESPN360.com

For weather information and a roster card link, see the Info Center to the right.

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Open House this Saturday at Kent Square Condominiums, 10 a.m. to noon

Virginia Tech will look to get their season back on track this Saturday when Marshall comes to town. Coming off a physical game against Alabama, and looking ahead to home matchups with Nebraska and Miami, this game with the Thundering Herd is a classic trap game. It will be up to the Hokies to show up focused and take care of business.

Head coach Mark Snyder is 17-31 in his career at Marshall, and he could be on the hot seat this season. The Thundering Herd went 4-8 last year thanks to a very bad defense, but they did lose three games by three or fewer points. They nearly knocked off East Carolina, and they managed to beat solid teams in Southern Miss and Houston.

This is not the Marshall that was once an ESPN favorite. Gone are the days of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich. This team doesn't have the firepower they once had, though they do have some talent on both sides of the ball.

Marshall knocked off Southern Illinois 31-28 this past week. It was a narrow win, but Southern Illinois is ranked in the 1-AA Top Ten. Other Top Ten 1-AA teams such as Richmond, William & Mary, Northern Iowa, Appalachian State and Villanova either beat 1-A teams, or almost did. Marshall was also without their 1,000 yard rusher and their top defensive back.

This is a game Tech can't afford to overlook. However, if the Hokies play like they are capable of, the Thundering Herd won't present much of an obstacle.

Marshall will bring a capable offense into Lane Stadium on Saturday. They are led by quarterback Brian Anderson (6-3, 212, r-Jr.), who beat out last year's starter Mark Cann (6-4, 235, r-So.). Anderson was 27-of-36 for 316 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception in last week's win over Southern Illinois. Anderson isn't particularly mobile, so if the Hokies can get pressure on him they will likely shut down the Marshall passing attack.

Anderson has inexperienced receivers. The top player is JUCO transfer Chuck Walker (5-10, 177, r-Jr.), who had 10 catches for 119 yards against Southern Illinois. The other receivers are Courtney Edmonson (6-0, 191, Sr.), JUCO Troy Evans (5-9, 201, Jr.), JUCO Wayne Bonner (6-4, 198, Jr.) and Jamal Wilson (5-10, 178, Fr.). Wilson is a true freshman from Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, VA. With three new JUCOs and a true freshman in their receiving corps, the Marshall passing game is likely to struggle against Virginia Tech's defense.

Anderson will have a good tight end to throw to. Cody Slate (6-4, 229, Sr.) is one of the most productive tight ends in America. For his career, he has 158 receptions for 2,126 yards and 21 touchdowns. Now that Oklahoma's Jermaine Gresham is out for the season, Slate could be the most productive tight end in college football.

Marshall also has Lee Smith (6-6, 267, r-Jr.), a transfer from Tennessee. Smith is a big tight end and a blocking specialist, but he can also be effective in the passing game. Look for the tight ends to be a big part of Marshall's offense this year, as the new receivers get used to being on the field.

The running game can also help the Thundering Herd this year. Darius Marshall (5-10, 190, Jr.) ran for 1,095 yards for Marshall as a true sophomore in 2008, after running for 631 yards as a true freshman in 2007. He was suspended for Marshall's opening game against Southern Illinois, but he'll be back in the lineup against Virginia Tech.

Darius Marshall is also the Herd's top kick returner, and he can be quite effective against top competition. He had 262 all purpose yards against West Virginia last year, and as a freshman in 2007 he had 80 yards on just 11 carries against the Mountaineers. Marshall can definitely compete with BCS teams, and he's the most talented player on his team's roster.

No offense can execute without a good offensive line. Here is a look at Marshall's group up front.

Left guard Ryan Tillman started every game at left tackle last season, but he moves back inside for his sophomore campaign. He was a 2008 Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection. Last year's starting right tackle, C.J. Wood (6-5, 295, r-So.) was also an All-Freshman pick in conference USA. He is not starting right now, but he should see heavy playing time against the Hokies.

Starting center Chad Schofield was a guard last season, while Jimmy Rogers is a JUCO transfer who only played in six games in 2008. Players have changed positions, and two full-time starters were lost after last season. This group is still getting their bearings, and the running game only averaged two yards per carry against Southern Illinois with Darius Marshall out of the lineup.

Despite the slow start, this group has potential. They paved the way for a 1,000 yard rusher last year and only allowed 13 sacks. They will probably struggle against a tough Virginia Tech defense, but they will get better as the year goes on. The Southern Illinois defense beat this group up front and racked up eight tackles for loss and two sacks.

You can not beat Virginia Tech's defense with a one-dimensional offense. Look for Marshall to attack the Hokies through the air and on the ground. They are a capable offensive football team, but if Tech shuts down Darius Marshall and puts the game in the hands of a first-year starting quarterback behind a rebuilt offensive line, then Bud Foster's defense will thrive.

The last time Marshall came to Lane Stadium, the Hokies flattened the Thundering Herd's undersized front seven. Marshall only averaged 239.3-lbs per player in their front seven in 2005, but their front is significantly bigger this time around. In 2009, Marshall's front seven averages 254.4-lbs per man, and should provide a bigger challenge to Tech's offensive line than the 2005 group.

In fact, Marshall's front seven slightly outweights Tech's front seven, which averages 252.3-lbs.

The top player up front for Marshall is defensive end Albert McClellan (6-2, 254, r-Sr.). He is a First Team All-CUSA player who has 18 career sacks. McClellan was not 100% in 2008 after missing the 2007 season with a knee injury. His 2006 season was his best, when he registered 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.

McClellan got his career off to a good start in 2005 as a true freshman, when he had seven tackles for loss and three sacks. He recorded the second sack of his career at Virginia Tech that year. He is easily Marshall's biggest threat on the defensive line.

Marshall is pretty deep at defensive tackle as well. This is an experienced group of players.

That's a lot of starting experience on the inside for Marshall, and they will also play mammoth Brandon Bullock (6-3, 352, Jr.). The Thundering Herd has the ability to rotate their defensive line to prevent their starters from getting worn out.

Marshall's best linebacker is Mario Harvey (6-0, 247, Jr.). He is a First Team All-Conference USA selection. Harvey led the team with 107 tackles last season, and he also had seven tackles for loss. He plays the weakside position for the Thundering Herd, and the strongside starter also returns. Brandon Burns (6-4, 212, Sr.) had 69 tackles and five pass breakups last season. Burns is another JUCO transfer, and a converted defensive back.

The other starting linebacker for Marshall is Kellen Harris (6-3, 236, r-So.). He had a big game last week in his first collegiate start, recording five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Open House This Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon!

Overall, the Marshall linebackers are a solid group of players who should benefit from playing behind one of Conference USA's better defensive lines.

Marshall's weakness is their pass defense. The Thundering Herd started two freshmen at cornerback last year, and they've got three sophomores in their two deep this year.

DeQuan Bembry (5-10, 178, r-So.) was an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American last year. He finished 20th in Conference USA in tackles, averaging 6.7 per game. He can definitely be beaten through the air, but he is effective up around the line of scrimmage. Bembry made 7.5 tackles for loss, and he also broke up 11 passes. He had one interception, and it came against West Virginia. Bembry was suspended for last week's game against Southern Illinois, and his return should help the defense.

Ahmed Shakoor (5-11, 208, So.) played special teams as a true freshman last year, and he made his first career start last week. He is backed up by T.J. Drakeford (5-11, 188, r-So.), who started 11 games in 2008.

Marshall does have experience in the secondary. Strong safety Ashton Hall (5-10, 196, Sr.) led the team in tackles against Southern Illinois with nine. (Ahmed Shakoor was tied for second with six tackles ... when two starting defensive backs lead the team in tackles, that's generally not good.)

Hall has been a part-time starter for the past two seasons, and he's joined at free safety by John Saunders (6-0, 186, r-Sr.). Saunders has started games in the past at strong safety, but he's a limited player whom Virginia Tech can exploit.

Open House This Saturday at Kent Square Condominiums, 10 a.m. to noon

Marshall finished 102nd nationally in total defense last year, allowing 418.1 yards per game. The defensive line looks better this year, but the secondary is still very suspect.

Craig Ratanamorn (6-3, 178, Sr.) serves as the primary placekicker for the Thundering Herd. He was 7-of-11 last season, with a long of 50 yards. He kicked a 32 yard field goal against Southern Illinois last week. However, he was inconsistent with his kickoffs, booting two kicks out of bounds.

Kase Whitehead (5-10, 181, So.) averaged 38.7 yards per punt last season as a freshman. Despite the low average, Marshall finished 32nd nationally in net punting with a 36.5 yards per punt average.

Darius Marshall is the most dangerous return man. He averaged 29.7 yards per kickoff return as a freshman, and 26.3 yards per return last year. Troy Evans is serving as punt returner right now, and he is still an unknown.

Marshall head coach Mark Snyder does put an emphasis on special teams. The Thundering Herd blocked seven punts in his first two years as a head coach, so the Hokies' punt protection team must be wary.

If this is the least exciting game of September, then Tech fans have a lot to be thankful for. This might not be the 2002 Thundering Herd, but it's a lot better than hosting Temple or some 1-AA school. Marshall will hit back, and they will challenge Virginia Tech by blitzing a lot.

In 2005, r-freshman tailback Branden Ore ran for 146 yards on Marshall, the first 100-yard game of his career. 115 of his yards came in the second half. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ryan Williams get his first 100-yard game against the Thundering Herd this weekend. To stick with the tailback theme, I'm also excited to see David Wilson get his first real game action. This is the perfect game to break him in.

Defensively, I expect Tech will batter a Marshall offensive line that played poorly against Southern Illinois last week. I think the Hokies will shut down the running game and make Brian Anderson beat them with a group of receivers who aren't that experienced on the 1-A level, and he won't be able to do it.

I'm not too concerned about the final score (though I expect Tech will win pretty easily...Marshall has only covered the spread in five of their past 22 road games). I just want the Hokies to pass the eye test. I want them to look competent on offense, and I want them to complete some passes downfield against Marshall's vulnerable secondary.

If the Hokies are hungover from last week, then Marshall could challenge them. However, the Thundering Herd have too much inexperience on offense to seriously threaten Tech in Lane Stadium.

Will Stewart's Take: Someone asked me if I thought the Hokies would have a letdown after the Alabama game. No, I don't think they will. Week two is all about getting better, and this team still has a lot to play for and a lot of improving to do.

The Hokies don't necessarily always play better in week two, though. Last season, after losing to ECU in week one, the Hokies struggled against Furman in week two. Tech won 24-7, but they scored just three points in the first half in a listless performance.

You would like to think that the 2009 Hokies will respond differently to an opening week loss, and the circumstances are different this year. Last season, the Hokies pulled a planned redshirt off of Tyrod Taylor after losing to ECU, and things were in turmoil. Unlike last season, there is no confusion at quarterback, and the opening loss was not surprising. The Hokies knew what they were up against with Alabama, and they prepared hard and played hard. They lost, and they're disappointed, but I doubt the 'Bama loss has shaken the confidence of the team or coaching staff like last year's ECU loss did.

There is a sense of urgency with the 2009 Hokies to focus on this game and improve, because Nebraska and Miami are waiting just around the corner. So, what to look for here, other than a win? And by "look," I mean "observe," not "anticipate."

Look for Kam Chancellor to recover and play better. Look for Tech's linebackers to improve. Look for the Tech DL to have a breakout game, because their improvement didn't really show against a quality team like Alabama. If the Tech DL is as much better and deeper as I think they are, it should show in this game.

And look for the offense to step it up faster in 2009 than they did in 2008. Last season, after struggling against ECU (243 yards, just 13 offensive points), the Tech offense didn't get any better in ensuing games against Furman (329 yards, 24 points), Georgia Tech (247 yards, 20 points), and UNC (268 yards, 20 points). The Hokie offense remained a huge liability deep into the season, finally costing the Hokies a loss in Boston (240 yards, no offensive touchdowns).

Sure, all the Hokies really "need" to do is win, but they also need for the offense to start improving earlier than they did in 2008. It's unlikely that the slow offensive growth curve of 2008 will carry the Hokies to another ACC championship again in 2009. If VT wants to win the ACC again this year, they need to put more yards and more points on the board.

Predicting a score for this game is a pointless exercise. Picking scores in week two is always pointless, because you have no clue how much a team is going to improve, and we know very little about Marshall, anyway. Do I think the Hokies will win? Sure. Do I think they'll dominate? Define "dominate." Defensively, maybe. Offensively ... we'll see.