Boise State's air attack will test Va. Tech's secondary

Boise State is no longer considered the feel-good story of the college football world, going from beloved BCS buster to borderline villain status because of their high preseason ranking despite what some have described as a soft schedule.

The widely held belief is that if Boise can pull off a win against Virginia Tech in what amounts to a home game for the Hokies -- at FedEx Field in Washington D.C. on Monday night -- the Broncos' WAC conference schedule puts them on a collision course with a major conference opponent in the BCS Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz.

Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, who recently received a well-deserved extension, rightly believes his team could be one to surprise in a stronger-than-projected Atlantic Coast Conference this year with a talented group of returning starters on offense and a young but active and athletic defense.

Few games on the schedule will pit two legitimate national title contenders, especially in a non-traditional matchup such as this.

The game could be a launching pad for both teams to great things in the 2010 season. Scouts, however, care less about the BCS ramifications and look forward to seeing if Boise State's prospects can handle tough competition from Tech's usual group of future NFL contributors in a "neutral" but likely hostile setting.

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Boise State Passing Offense vs. Virginia Tech secondary

The Broncos' lefty junior QB Kellen Moore (64.3 percent completion, 3,536 passing yards, 39 TD against only three interceptions in 2009) lacks NFL size and arm strength but gets the ball to future pro WRs Austin Pettis (6-3, 201, 4.61; 63 receptions, 855 yards, 14 TD in 2009) and Titus Young (6-0, 170, 4.48; 79-1,041-10) very regularly in the team's spread offense. Moore is accurate but he stands less than 6-feet-1 and weighs in the 190-pound range. He relies on his backs and tight ends to move the ball. RB Jeremy Avery (5-9/173/4.52) may not start the game in the backfield, but is tough to deal with in space. TE Tommy Gallarda (6-5/254/4.89) can take advantage of openings in the middle of the defense if too much attention is paid to Pettis and Young.

Virginia Tech is well-known for producing defensive backs for the next level, and this year is no exception. CB Rashad Carmichael (5-10, 182, 4.38) and SS Davon Morgan (6-0, 198, 4.68) lead a talented group that will challenge receivers' routes and make Moore pay for late or soft throws to the outside.

Boise State Offensive Line vs. Virginia Tech Front Four

Broncos junior LG Nate Potter (6-6/300/5.07) gets a tough matchup out of the box after he moved inside from left tackle for this season. Virginia Tech has great athletes along the front seven, including penetrating DT John Graves (6-3/285/4.90), who will test Potter with his quickness if matched up one-on-one. Hokies DEs Steven Friday (6-4/238/4.66) and junior Chris Drager could have breakout seasons, so Boise's undersized starting sophomore tackles (LT Faraji Wright-6-3, 282; RT Brenel Myers-6-2, 272) will be tested early and often.

Virginia Tech Rushing Game vs. Boise State Front Seven

When junior Darren Evans went down early last season with a knee injury, Virginia Tech needed someone to step up; redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams did much more than that, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 scores. Now the Hokies have both in the backfield, making for one of the strongest duos in the country. Junior RT Blake DeChristopher (6-5/305/5.07) and undersized but tough C Beau Warren (6-3/285/5.12) lead the way for Williams and Evans, while TE Andre Smith (6-4/270/4.80) can also seal the edge.

Boise star Ryan Winterswyk (6-4/268/4.96) isn't the fastest of defensive ends, but will force those running backs inside if Tech can't control him. You'll likely hear the announcing crew call the name of MLB Derrell Acrey (6-1/234/4.73) very often on run plays; he leads a solid set of second-level defenders. SS Jeron Johnson (5-10/195/4.53) likes to stick his nose in the action against the run, as well.

Virginia Tech Passing Game vs. Boise State Passing Defense

The Hokies have two fine running backs in Williams and Evans, but QB Tyrod Taylor (6-1/216/4.55) is out to prove himself to be more than an athlete playing quarterback. With smaller quarterbacks like Nate Davis (San Francisco), David Garrard (Jacksonville), Troy Smith (Baltimore) and Seneca Wallace (Cleveland) sticking around the NFL despite a lack of prototypical height, look for Taylor to get a fair shake at the next level if he can prove he has passing ability.

A strong class of junior receivers across college football has put Dyrell Roberts (6-1/196/4.42) under the radar a bit, but look for Taylor to test CB Brandyn Thompson (5-10/177/4.49) and 2010 first-round pick Kyle Wilson's replacement, sophomore Jamar Taylor, but throwing often to Roberts and fellow juniors with NFL potential, Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin.