Before the college football season began, a November ACC battle between Florida State and Virginia Tech had national title implications written all over it.
But after a slip-up by Florida State against NC State in October and a subpar season by Virginia Tech, both teams enter Thursday night's matchup at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg hoping to salvage the season.
Florida State started the season as a dark horse favorite to make the national championship game, but have fallen out of contention. A win on Thursday would keep the team in first place in the ACC Atlantic and put them in a favorable shot to make the conference championship game.
"It's like starting a new season," said running back James Wilder Jr. to the Associated Press. "I'm definitely happy now that I know it's in our hands."
Wilder has been the primary back for the Seminoles after a season-ending knee injury to running back Chris Thompson.
Losing Thompson has been a big hit for Florida State, He had 687 yards rushing this year through seven games, including a season-high 197 on Sept. 15 against Wake Forest. According to ESPN, he "was on pace to become the first 1,000-yard back since 1996 for the Seminoles."
The Seminoles have dealt with turnover issues all season, including a recent spell of fumbles. The team has committed nine fumbles in the past two games and has lost six of them to opponents.
"We need to get that fixed," coach Jimbo Fisher said.
EJ Manuel has been stellar for the Seminoles this season, passing for 2,315 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country this year, completing 70 percent of his passes at an efficiency rating of 174.0, the second-best in the country.
According to the Associated Press, "has been particularly good during the winning streak, completing 69.1 percent of his passes for 950 yards and six touchdowns."
Florida State has played well offensively throughout the season and has also performed better on defense compared to last year's team, which was ranked in the bottom of the ACC.
According to the Associated Press, "the Seminoles are the only team ranked in the top 10 in total offense (seventh at 524.6 yards per game) and defense (first at 227.1). Since falling to North Carolina State, they've won three straight by an average score of 44.0-11.3."
Virginia Tech enters the game with a chance to get back to .500 and get on the right track to be bowl eligible this year. According to the Associated Press, the team needs to " in two of its final three games to extend its string of 19 consecutive seasons with a bowl berth, the third-longest active streak in the country."
The Hokies are having a tough season after making it to the Orange Bowl in 2011 against Stanford and the Sugar Bowl last season against Michigan.
The team had an 11-3 record last year, but is only 2-3 in the ACC this season and has lost four of the past five games, including a 30-12 loss against Miami on Nov. 1. The loss ensured that the Hokies eight-year streak of winning ten games would end.
"For this football team, it hurts because we're so close," coach Frank Beamer told the team's official website. "I don't think it's effort. We've just got to make plays."
The team has struggled while dealing with the development of its top players. Junior quarterback Logan Thomas has been stellar for the Hokies, throwing for 2,109 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 281 yards of total offense. Thomas is also the team's leading rusher with 422 yards and six touchdowns.
The Hokies have still not fully recovered from the loss of running back David Wilson, who was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants.
According to the Associated Press, "Florida State has won 13 of the last 15 matchups but Virginia Tech has taken two of the past three, including the 2010 ACC championship game."
Virginia Tech has had issues playing on the road, losing all four games, but has fared better at home, going 4-1 on the season. The return to Virginia should be good for the Hokies, but Florida State will be a big challenge for Frank Beamer's squad.
WATCH the Florida State Vs. Virginia Tech LIVE STREAM by clicking HERE.
(**Sports World Report does not endorse the live streaming of the games of the sites it has linked to. It has no control over the content of the website and thus does not warrant that it is error or virus free or free of other harmful components.)
