Virginia Tech is looking real good this year, and that's the truth.

A lot of people across the country probably forgot all about VT once they found out that Michael Vick would be leaving school to enter in the NFL draft.  It hasn't been that long, but the Hokies have found their way back into the top 10 and the people are starting to crawl back onto the bandwagon.

Last year was pretty tough after Lee Suggs went down in the opener, not to mention the hole left by Vick's absence.  VT still had a heck of a defense and probably the nastiest special teams in the country; both of which took them to the Gator Bowl for the second straight year.  Still, some would call it a disappointing year as the Hokies finished at 8-4, ranked 18th in the AP and ESPN/Coaches polls.

It's a new year now and the backfield consists of the rehabilitated Lee Suggs and one of Suggs' replacements from last year, Kevin Jones, who quickly became dubbed the "Untouchables."  VT is looking as powerful as ever with the amazing running game combined with the killer defense.  Two other things worth mentioning are QBs Bryan Randall and a kid named Marcus Vick who will red shirt.  Grant Noel has been the starting QB for the first two games of the season, but has been bothered by a nagging knee injury.  He did, however, have surgury and may start the Texas A&M game in a couple weeks.  Bryan Randall has out played and out performed Noel so far this season and looks great despite some uneasiness in the pocket.

  Right now the "Untouchables" as well as the rest of the Hokies are hungry for the Thundering Herd of Marshall, who they play at home on Thursday, Sept 12. Now that VT has beaten LSU, the Marshall game will be the most important game to win this season (besides Miami, of course).  Marshall is looking prove that they are a different team from last year and would love to upset VT in Blacksburg.  Marshall coach Bob Pruett said that Tech's defense is the best he's seen since he's been at Marshall. "We'll also play the best running team. So this will go a long way toward telling us where we are."  Its going to be a heck of a fight and I can't wait to see it. Marshall is coming off of a horrible defensive year in 2001 and will be looking to stop Jones and Suggs; Orlando Washington (DT) looks to anchor the defense.  Byron Leftwich (QB), a possible Heisman Trophy candidate leads the offense.  Leftwich threw for 469 yards and four touchdowns as the Herd demolished Division I-AA Appalachian State 50-17 last week.  How Leftwich handles the Hokie defense will definitely be all the difference in the outcome of Thursday's game.

Matt's Predictions:  The Hokies are just getting started.  Marshall will really have to stop the "Untouchables" from thundering over top of their Herd if they want to keep the Hokie's scoring low.  At the same time, VT needs to put a hurting on Byron Leftwich if they want to stay in the game.  VT really needs to have respect for Marshall's passing game and their defense; the Herd did hold Appalachian State to just 76 rushing yards last week....  This game is going to be a lot closer than I, or any other Hokie fans, would like it to be.  Be prepared to hang until the very end.  

FINAL SCORE: VT 34, Marshall 21