MONDAY
No. 5 Stanford (11-1) vs. No. 12 Virginia Tech (11-2), 8:35 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Stanford by 3 1/2.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Hokies seek a breakthrough – they’re 1-26 against top-five teams. They have a chance at their third bowl victory in as many years and a school-record 12th win this season. Stanford seeks its first bowl win since the 1996 season. With a victory, the Cardinal will likely finish in the top five for the first time since their undefeated 1940 team finished No. 2.
KEY MATCHUP
Heisman Trophy runner-up Andrew Luck goes against a Virginia Tech defense that has 22 interceptions, second-most among FBS teams. The Hokies lead the nation with a turnover margin of plus-18, and All-American CB Jayron Hosley has eight interceptions. But Luck has been intercepted only seven times while throwing 28 touchdown passes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stanford: QB Luck. Only a sophomore, Luck is 19-5 as a starter while throwing for 5,526 yards and 41 touchdowns in two seasons. He helped the Cardinal score a school-record 484 points in 2010, and if he decides to turn pro this year, he likely will be the top pick in the NFL draft. He’s the son of former West Virginia and Houston Oilers QB Oliver Luck.
Virginia Tech: QB Tyrod Taylor. A senior, Taylor is 34-7 as a starter. He’s the 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year, and he seeks his third consecutive bowl win as a starter. Taylor is Tech’s career leader in passing yards, rushing yards by a quarterback and total offense – impressive at the school where Michael Vick played.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Cardinal have gone from 1-11 to 11-1 in four years. Tech started 0-2 this season, then swept its remaining regular-season games. Stanford is playing in its first BCS game, while the Hokies are 1-2 in the Orange Bowl and playing in their 18th consecutive bowl game. Tech has won at least 10 games for the seventh season in a row.
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