BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Start fast.

For No. 11 Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, who get a jump on the season Sunday night in the Black Coaches Association Classic (ESPN2 at 8 o'clock), the game could help determine very early the fate of both programs before most teams have played.

Anticipation, expectations, a national television audience and a chance to show your stuff in the spotlight only fuel the pregame jitters.

"I'm nervous right now," said Nathaniel Adibi, who moves into a starting spot on the Hokies' defensive line, which lost its top five players to graduation.

Ga. Tech vs. Va. Tech

Why to watch Unfortunately this BCA event is one year too late ... imagine if this was Michael Vick vs. Joe Hamilton? The Hokies would like to get off to a quick start at home against a Yellow Jackets team picked for the middle of the pack in the ACC. national television provides added incentive. Who to watch The spotlight is clearly on Vick as he gets an early jump on Drew Brees and others in the Heisman race. Vick should give Georgia Tech's defense headaches. Andre Kendrick becomes the key rushing threat with Shyrone Stith leaving the Hokies. GT's Sean Gregory had 13 rushing TDs last season. Inside the numbers 144-22: Virginia Tech's margin in winning its last three season openers, including 47-0 last season. 14: All six visitors to Blacksburg last season were held to 14 points or less by Frank Beamer's defense. 165: GT gave up 165 or more rushing yards in each of its last five games in '99. Who will be the ESPN Player of the Game? Vote for tonight's ESPN Player of the Game during tonight's Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech game. Log on to ESPN.com near the end of the third quarter and place your vote for tonight's MVP.

"I'm playing against a big-time team and it's my first collegiate game."

The Hokies, coming off an 11-0 regular season, an appearance in the national championship game and a No. 2 finish in the polls, open the year with enormous expectations fed by sophomore Michael Vick, their electrifying quarterback.

"I feel like all eyes are on me," said Vick, an elusive runner with sprinter's speed and a powerful left arm that gives "go long" new meaning. Vick has been tabbed as a Heisman favorite after finishing third in the voting last year.

"A lot of pressure is one me, but I don't feel that pressure because I'm thinking I just need to go out there and do the things I know how to do and play the football game along with the rest of the football team," he said.

The Hokies play three games in 12 days, a grueling start by any measure and one that has caused several experts to forecast that the third stop, at East Carolina on Thursday, Sept. 7, will not go well for the visitors.

Georgia Tech, meantime, is hoping its year-older defense will be ready for Vick's antics, not only with an eye on winning but also with thoughts of Florida State, last year's national champion. The Seminoles visit Atlanta on Sept. 9.

"Coach (George) O'Leary is testing us," Yellow Jackets safety Chris Young said. "He wants to see how strong we are. If we get these first three games out of the way and win, we'll get a lot of respect from a lot of people."

For Georgia Tech, the keys to gaining that respect will come from their ability to replace quarterback Joe Hamilton, who was second in the Heisman voting, and improving a defense that hardly stopped anyone last season.

Nine starters return to the unit, but without Hamilton around to light up opponents and with Vick and Co. to stop, proving time comes Sunday night.

"We're working as hard as we can to get some respect," Young said.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer has long believed that it takes a real game to showcase a team's weaknesses, and that the period between games one and two affords the best opportunity to address those areas and make improvements.

For the Hokies and Yellow Jackets, that truth is all the more crucial this year, when their fortunes in September may well determine their ultimate fate.