Virginia Tech @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 1, 2009 ) Virginia Tech 20, Cincinnati 7

Cincinnati posted an uninspiring win over FCS foe Delaware State prior to an off week and the Bearcats may have been looking ahead to their toughest “home” game of the season. Butch Jones’ team will face No. 25 Virginia Tech at Fed Ex Field Saturday in a key non-conference clash. The Bearcats are technically the home team after they agreed to move this game to Landover, Md., 284 miles from the Hokies’ campus in Blacksburg, Va., in exchange for $2.25 million. Cincinnati is using the money to help pay for the construction of a new athletic center. Meanwhile, there is one common opponent - Pittsburgh - and the team’s performances were vastly different. The Bearcats rolled to a 34-10 victory over Pittsburgh in their season opener while the then-No. 13 Hokies were stunned by the Panthers 35-17 two weeks ago. This will be the first meeting since the Hokies’ 20-7 win in the 2009 Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech leads the series 5-4.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Virginia Tech -7

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (2-1): The Hokies rebounded from their shocking loss to Pittsburgh with a 37-0 victory over Bowling Green last week. The rushing attack finally looked formidable, racking up 246 yards after it managed only 96 against Pittsburgh. Quarterback Logan Thomas (65 yards) was one of four players with at least 45 yards rushing. He had an off day throwing the ball, however, completing 11 of 26 passes for 144 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Despite the poor showing against Pittsburgh, the Hokies are 32nd (out of 120 FBS teams) in total defense (328.0 yards per game). Meanwhile, the offense is still a work in progress (5.5 yards per play, 90th).

ABOUT CINCINNATI (2-0): The Bearcats committed six turnovers in a 23-7 victory over FCS foe Delaware State - their fifth straight victory dating to last season - prior to an off week. Junior quarterback Munchie Legaux (413 yards four touchdowns, two interceptions) was the main culprit with two interceptions and two fumbles. George Winn’s career-best 147 yards helped the Bearcats overcome the sloppy showing. Cincinnati’s defense has been anything but subpar, however. The Bearcats, who were second in the nation in sacks last season, have eight in two games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Hokies are 12-18 in neutral site games under Frank Beamer, including 0-2 at Fed Ex Field.

2. The Bearcats have already had two off weeks, meaning they’ll play 10 straight games to end the season.

3. Cincinnati is the last team to shut out the Hokies, which came in 1995 - a span of 221 games.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 27, Cincinnati 21