in NCAA F Articles

The No. 10 Clemson Tigers (7-1 SU & 6-2 ATS) look to extend their longest winning streak in seven years when they meet Virginia Tech (5-2 SU & 3-3 ATS) tonight in Blacksburgh.

Last week, the Tigers looked impressive in handing the Georgia Tech their first conference loss of the season. The Tigers are now 7-2 ATS in their last 9 conference games.

James Davis, the ACC leader with 120.1 rushing ypg and 16 TDs, ran for a career-best 216 yards and two scores. Davis, though, only has a '50-50' chance to play in this game, according to Bowden, due to a shoulder injury suffered in last Saturday's game.

C.J. Spiller, Davis' smaller and quicker counterpart, would take over the bulk of the carries if Davis is unable to play. Spiller had a 50-yard TD run and a 50-yard TD catch last Saturday, and finished with 116 yards on 16 rushes.

The Tigers lead the ACC with 259.4 rushing yards and 454.9 total ypg.

Clemson complements its versatile ground game with a defense that's limiting opponents to a conference-low 230.4 ypg. The Tigers held star Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson without a catch for the first time in his career.

Clemson has outscored its last five opponents 224-40.

Receiver Chansi Stuckey, who has missed three games with a broken foot, is expected to return against Virginia Tech, but senior offensive lineman Roman Fry will be out after suffering a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament that will end his college career. He'll be replaced by junior Chris McDuffie.

The Tigers could use Fry's presence against a Virginia Tech defense that is giving up just 98.6 rushing yards per game and ranks second in the conference behind Clemson with 242.7 total yards allowed per contest.

The Hokies have won their last three meetings with the Tigers, including a 41-20 Gator Bowl victory Jan. 1, 2001 in the last matchup. Clemson leads the series 17-10-1.

The Hokies avoided a third straight SU loss Saturday, beating Southern Mississippi 36-6. Branden Ore, second in the ACC with 105.1 rushing ypg, ran for a career-best 207 yards and two touchdowns.

Virginia Tech was outscored a combined 60-30 in consecutive defeats to Georgia Tech and Boston College, gaining a total of 75 rushing yards.

Hokies coach Frank Beamer will look to give his offense a spark Thursday by playing backup QB Ike Whitaker in place of starter Sean Glennon at times. Beamer wants to give Clemson the different looks of Glennon's drop-back passing and Whitaker's scrambling ability.

The Tigers enter tonight's contest as the luke-warm favorites where they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as the chalk. However, the Hokies have won their last three meetings SU with the Tigers, including a 41-20 Gator Bowl victory Jan. 1, 2001 in the last matchup. Clemson leads the series 17-10-1 SU.