Rooting for their team clearly represents one of the big passions in the life of our TechSideline.com community members. This site greatly enhances this never-ending passion through information, analysis and most importantly through communal dialog and networking.

Our advertising approach is different in that we make it abundantly clear in a direct and honest way that your company's commitment of sponsorship dollars is what enables the site to continue existing and improving into the future.

To learn more about advertising on TechSideline.com, please visit our advertising info page:
http://www.techsideline.com/advertising

TechSideline.com is a vital part of a unique collegiate sports network that reaches nearly 2 million individuals per month. Like TechSideline.com, each site in the SportsWar network is an organically grown community and the emotional home for its fans.

To learn more about SportsWar network sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected] or visit our online media guide- http://www.sportswar.com. 

Virginia Tech has a history of winning football games by making big plays on defense and special teams. However, whenever the Hokies play Florida State, it's generally the 'Noles who "Beamerball" the Hokies to death. It's been tough for Tech to overcome the FSU defensive and special teams scores in the past, and it will be even more difficult this season with VT's struggling offense.

Virginia Tech's offense has never really had a tough time moving the football against Florida State, except for a couple of games early in Frank Beamer's tenure.

If you take out that bad 1989 performance, the Hokies have averaged 385.7 yards per game against FSU under Frank Beamer. Take out 1988 and 1989, and they've averaged 404 yards per game against Florida State. So in the six meetings between the two teams since 1990, Virginia Tech is averaging 404 yards per game! The Hokies have picked up at least 395 yards of total offense in four of those six games.

The Hokies have also outgained Florida State in four of their last five meetings going back to 1991. Before that, the 1990 game was even in total yards. Even when the Hokies didn't have anywhere near the talent of FSU, like 1990 and 1991, Tech was the tougher football team. Their toughness allowed them to move the ball on offense.

Moving the football against Florida State hasn't been a huge problem recently. Instead, the 'Noles always seem to score on defense and special teams, beating the Hokies at their own game.

Here is a look at the big plays Florida State has made on the Hokies with their defense and special teams.

Even when the Hokies were moving the ball effectively against Florida State, they couldn't overcome these big plays by FSU's defense and special teams, with the exception of VT's win in Lane Stadium last year. Against Florida State, there isn't much room for error, as we've seen throughout the years.

This time around, there is even less room for error. If Florida State's defense or special teams score a touchdown (or more) against Tech, the Hokie offense isn't going to have the firepower to overcome it. While Tech has averaged over 400 yards per game against the 'Noles since 1990, VT's offensive yardage this weekend will be more similar to the numbers they put up against FSU in 1988 and 1989.

If Virginia Tech wants to defeat Florida State in Tallahassee tomorrow, they need to turn those defensive and special teams numbers around. They can't allow the 'Noles to score on defense or special teams. Instead, the Hokies have to do it themselves.

That's going to be a tall order, in some ways. Defensively, perhaps not. The Hokies have a habit of forcing turnovers this year. The Hokies are #1 nationally in turnover margin, and they lead the nation in interceptions this decade. Florida State also has a nasty habit of throwing other teams the football at times.

Special teams is another story. The Tech punt team has allowed three touchdowns this year, two via returns. Florida State puts so many athletes on the field that Brent Bowden might just be better off kicking the ball out of bounds this time.