BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Virginia Tech is ranked No. 16 and viewed by some as a national championship contender.

The Hokies will have to be ready to look the part when they open against Georgia Tech and its triple option Monday night.

Coach Frank Beamer says extra time to prepare for the Yellow Jackets' dynamic offense helps. The Hokies also are ready for the Georgia Tech defense because it presents some different challenges in blocking.

The Hokies lost to East Carolina to start the 2008 season, Alabama to start 2009 and Boise State to start 2010. The big difference is this will be an Atlantic Coast Conference game, and the Hokies are home.

Quarterback Logan Thomas says the team is motivated by having lost its final two games last season.