Virginia Tech and Boston College are very similar, not only in philosophy and style of play, but also in the numbers game.

There are a lot of similarities in that table. Both teams have not had a losing record this decade, and both teams have been to a bowl every year this decade (Tech's streak goes back to 1993, while BC's goes back to 1999). The Eagles have actually won more bowl games than the Hokies in that span. In head to head meetings, Tech has won six of 10 times.

The only major difference between the two programs is the number of conference championships. The Hokies won three Big East titles, and they've won three more in the ACC. BC hasn't won a conference championship, though they did advance to the ACC Championship Game twice. Six conference championships to none...that's a pretty big difference.

But on the whole, the programs are similar. They are both coached by defensive minded guys who value toughness, discipline, physical play in the trenches, field position, etc. You know the deal by now, and you don't need me to tell you again.

So why does BC always fall just short of being conference champions? While they've always been very well coached, they also have lacked the talent that a team needs to win their conference. There just aren't as many good players to recruit in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont as there are in Virginia and North Carolina.

Because of their geographic location, BC will always be capped. However, they can still be very competitive if they stick with their conventional blue collar mentality. That's how they win games, and I think Frank Spaziani is the right man to continue that trend.

BC has a number of players who are banged up heading into this weekend's game at Virginia Tech.

Okoroha is BC's top backup at free safety, and he also plays a role on special teams. He has played in four games this year, making four total tackles. He will miss the Tech game, and his loss creates depth issues in the secondary.

Tight end Jordan McMichael has also been ruled out for this weekend's game. He has four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown on the season, including a 50 yard touchdown against Wake Forest. He is a valuable part of the BC passing game.

A couple of defensive players are listed as doubtful. Austin Giles is a starting defensive tackle who is suffering from a back injury. He has played in every game this season, making 2.5 tackles for loss. If Giles can't play, BC will be thin up front. Will Thompson was supposed to start at weakside linebacker this year, but a shoulder injury has kept him out of the first five games. He is doubtful to return this week.

Fullback James McCluskey has also missed the first five games of the season with an Achilles injury, but it's possible that he could return this week. BC has been using more H-back looks with McCluskey out of the lineup.

Finally, Roderick Rollins, Alex Albright and Damik Scafe are all listed as probable. They are all starters on the defensive side of the ball. They will likely play against Virginia Tech, but they are obviously banged up.

Pay special attention to how many injuries Boston College has on the defensive side of the ball, particularly the defensive line. Alex Albright and Damik Scafe will probably play, but they aren't 100%. Austin Giles is listed as doubtful at this point. That's 75% of BC's starting defensive line that is going through some type of injury. You can bet that Virginia Tech will try to get the running game going on Saturday.