Notre Dame expects raucous environment at Virginia Tech
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is already tired of "Enter Sandman," the Metallica song that plays such a major role in the way No. 24-ranked Virginia Tech stirs up its fans for the start of football games at Lane Stadium.
The sixth-ranked Fighting Irish will get to experience the atmosphere firsthand on Saturday night.
"I can't wait to hear it one more time because it means we've started the game," Kelly said. The Fighting Irish practiced this week with noise approaching the decibels of a jet engine.
The Irish (5-0) will be seeking their third victory against a ranked team this season, and their second in as many weeks. A win would their first road victory against a Top 25 team, and that has been a challenge for them in recent years. Notre Dame has won only eight of its last 20 true road games overall, and is 1-8 in its last nine road games against a ranked opponent.
The Hokies (3-1) also have beaten two teams this season that were ranked when they played.
While Kelly believes the Irish are ready for what he expects will be an "incredible atmosphere," he also likes the way his team is "beginning to complement each other."
"The offense is complementing the defense. The defense is complementing the offense," Kelly said. "And that certainly wasn't the case early in the year."
A move to Ian Book at quarterback has had a lot to do with it, too.
"He has certainly created a confidence level among the entire unit," Kelly said of the junior.
The Hokies have made a change behind center as well, with Kansas transfer Ryan Willis stepping in last week after sophomore co-captain Josh Jackson broke a bone in his leg in a stunning loss at Old Dominion.
Miami, FSU set for their annual ACC showdown
There have been bigger games in the Miami-Florida State rivalry. Games that have thwarted undefeated seasons. Games that have cost a team the national championship. Games that elevate someone to the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
None of that applies this time.
Yet to the Hurricanes and Seminoles, it's still enormous.
No. 17 Miami (4-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays host to Florida State (3-2, 1-2) Saturday, a chance for the Hurricanes to retain bragging rights over their archrival and a chance for the Seminoles to erase more of the stench that followed an awful start.
And even without a trophy at stake, players know exactly what this matchup means.
Miami coach Mark Richt has been on every imaginable side of the series. He played in it for the Hurricanes.
He was an assistant coach for the Seminoles. He's now back his alma mater, trying to lead it to its first home win over FSU since 2004.
"We all know what a big game it is," Richt said. "We all know what's at stake."
So does FSU coach Willie Taggart, who is going to be part of the game for the first time.
He knows exactly what it's all about.
"You've got two storied programs that have some very talented young men on their team," Taggart said. "And they dislike each other, and it will be one exciting, physical, talented football game."