Virginia Tech @ Pittsburgh preview

Once and future conference foes reunite at noon Saturday, as No. 13 Virginia Tech visits Pittsburgh in what used to be a Big East matchup and becomes an ACC Coastal Division rivalry next season. The Hokies carry the nation's longest true road win streak (13 games), but have started slow in home victories over Georgia Tech and Austin Peay. The Panthers, 0-2 for the first time since 2005, might be thankful to face a non-Ohio team, after meager showings in losses at home to FCS' Youngstown State in their opener and on national TV at Cincinnati last Thursday. Pitt must step up its 106th-ranked rushing defense, which yielded a 58-yard touchdown run on the Bearcats' first play of a 34-10 romp.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Virginia Tech -10

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (2-0): The Hokies didn't have much of a test against the FCS' Governors last Saturday and they played without much urgency early in the 42-7 win. Virginia Tech mustered seven points over the first 24:25, but Tony Gregory's blocked punt lit a fire that led to five touchdowns on the next seven possessions. Gregory, a junior, scored his first career rushing TD, while freshman Michael Holmes ran for two scores. Junior QB Logan Thomas has been efficient, going 36-for-61 for 442 yards and four TD passes without a pick. Sophomore CB Kyshoen Jarrett had a big punt return to set up a score against Austin Peay and has 15 tackles in two games.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (0-2): Just about everything has gone wrong for first-year coach Paul Chryst's Panthers – he suspended six players for the opening 31-17 loss to Youngstown, and the team made numerous miscues in falling behind 34-3 at Cincinnati before posting a late TD. Senior QB Tino Sunseri has started 28 straight games, but after an end-zone interception and poor clock management that prevented another potential score against the Bearcats, the home crowd could be hungry to see sophomore Trey Anderson. Freshman RB Rushel Shell, who set Pennsylvania's high school career rushing yardage record, had 31 yards on eight carries vs. Cincinnati in his debut.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Hokies lead the series 7-4, but the Panthers have won the last three meetings, most recently a 31-28 decision at Heinz Field in 2003.

2. Frank Beamer is the winningest active coach in the FBS (253 victories) and if Virginia Tech prevails he'll be one shy of tying Tom Osborne for seventh place.

3. A young Pitt defense saw eight players make their first start in the opener and another two do the same against Cincinnati.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 33, Pittsburgh 13