Virginia Tech passed the football version of the PSATs. Now it starts the gridiron equivalent of the SATs.
The Hokies play Clemson on Saturday evening in Blacksburg.
While Virginia Tech, ranked 11th nationally, wisely went through the month of September against Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall, Clemson opened its ACC schedule against Florida State last Saturday.
And won.
A week earlier, the Tigers beat Auburn 38-24.
Both games were at Clemson. Still, the Tigers did themselves no favors by playing three nationally ranked teams in consecutive weeks.
"If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.
OK. Clemson did open with Troy, followed by Wofford, not exactly the titans of college football. Everybody has to warm up against somebody.
"They are just flat-out good," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said of Clemson. "I don't think you have to worry about us being focused. All you have to do is turn the video on of Clemson, and they really get your attention."
The Tigers have become an offensive juggernaut, averaging 502 yards — 502 yards? That's half a season on offense for some teams — and just under 38 points per game.
It is important to remember, though, Wofford, a Football Championship Subdivision opponent, scored 27 points and Florida State put up 30 against Clemson.
The Seminoles will score, especially with EJ Manuel at quarterback.
But Manuel was out with an injury to his left shoulder. Redshirt freshman Clint Trickett threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
Either Trickett is an exceptional backup or Clemson's defense can be exploited.
The Hokies have yet to prove they have a consistently potent attack. The potential is there.
However, this is quarterback Logan Thomas' first test against a nationally ranked team. The Tigers are 13th after their impressive back-to-back victories. This also is Thomas' first night game with all the surrounding hoopla.
If he ever is going to be overcome by the moment and the scene, this is the game.
"He's a smart guy and has been on the sideline watching Tyrod (Taylor, former Hokies' quarterback) a couple of years," Beamer said. "I think him being ready mentally is the least of our worries."
When Beamer drew up the 2011 schedule, he did so with the idea of easing a young offense and defense into the competitive waters of the ACC.
The Hokies are better now than they were in Week 2 against East Carolina.
The challenge they face is whether they are good enough this early in the season to handle a team as talented as Clemson.
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