Virginia Tech vs East Carolina August 30, 2008 Bank of America Stadium Charlotte, NC

Why?: These two teams opened last season against each other and put on quite a defensive slug fest, with Tech winning it 17-7 thanks to a pick six and some strong special teams plays. With Tech likely stuggling on offense again and ECU returning nine players from a defense that held the Hokies to 33 yards rushing last year, this one should be another great defensive ball game worth watching.

Who do I think will win?: I'm tempted to go with the Pirates here since they bring back a lot of starters and Va. Tech will likely come out a little slow again this year, but Beamer always fields a competitive team and I find it very hard to pick against them.

Who do I hope will win?: I think ECU is a mid-major on the rise right now (especially after they upset Boise in last year's Hawaii bowl), and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them take the conference and wind up in the Liberty Bowl, but I also don't think they're quite at the level where they can compete with the BCS teams like the Boises and TCUs of the world can yet. Still, plucky underdog and all that (plus, they're Pirates!), so ECU it is.