Virginia @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Florida State 34, Virginia 14

THE STORY: Few predicted Virginia would be in better position to reach the ACC title game than Florida State at season’s end, but that’s exactly the case. The surprising Cavaliers will try to keep their championship aspirations alive on the road against the No. 22 Seminoles, who have won five straight. Virginia has its work cut out for it. The Cavaliers have lost 14 of the 16 meetings - including 13 straight in Tallahassee.

TV: ESPN2, ESPN3.com. LINE: Florida State -17.5.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (7-3, 5-2 ACC): The Seminoles, a preseason top five team, are back in the Top 25 for the first time in more than a month thanks to their first five-game conference winning streak since 2003. Florida State managed only three first downs in the first half, but was able to pull out a 23-19 victory over Miami last week. Greg Reid tied a school record with an 83-yard punt return - the third of his career. The Seminoles, who are led by Virginia Beach native E.J. Manuel (2,152 yards, 15 touchdowns, eight interceptions), failed to score at least 30 points for the first time in seven games. Meanwhile, the nation's fourth-ranked rushing defense (85.0 yards) will try to bounce back after allowing a season-high 140 to Miami.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (7-3, 4-2): The Cavaliers have won three straight and five of their last six. Sophomore Michael Rocco threw two touchdowns and Chase Minnifield returned an interception for a touchdown in a 31-21 win over Duke. Rocco is 3-0 since being named the full-time starter and hasn’t been sacked in that span. The Cavaliers are 10th in the nation in sacks allowed (.8 per game). Rocco’s top target is Kris Burd (47 catches, 630 yards), whose only catch against Duke went for a 38-yard touchdown - his first of the season. The running back tandem of Perry Jones (856 yards, five touchdowns) and Kevin Parks (616 yards, seven touchdowns) is a handful for defenses.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Rocco has thrown for 724 yards with six touchdowns and one interception since being named the full-time starter.

2. Virginia was the first team to beat Florida State in ACC play. The Cavaliers' 33-28 win in 1995 ended the Seminoles’ 29-game conference winning streak.

3. If the Cavaliers win, their contest against No. 10 Virginia Tech next week will determine the winner of the ACC Coastal Division.

PREDICTION: Florida State 33, Virginia 21 - Rocco will be overwhelmed by the best defense he has faced, and Virginia's title dreams will disappear with another loss in northern Florida.