ESPN on the Hokies:

Midseason Coach of the Year [Big East]: No coach consistently does more with less than Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer. Sure, no one expected the Hokies to struggle this season, but No. 3 in the country? Credit Beamer, who has Virginia Tech vying for a national title berth despite the lack of a true passing game and with a defense that was gutted following the 2001 season.

What's next: Four of Virginia Tech's next five games are in Blacksburg. Barring an unexpected slip-up, that should put an undefeated Hokies squad in the Orange Bowl for a winner-takes-all showdown with Miami. Between now and then, quarterback Bryan Randall will have to emerge as a passer or the Hokies could become victims of a one-dimensional offense.