For better or worse, a lot of different images come to mind when the phrase “Virginia Tech” is mentioned.

Michael Vick.  Stingy, Bud Foster-molded defenses.  Special team excellence.  Marcus Vick. The Virginia Tech massacre.  The Vick Brothers.

Yeah, it’s pretty obvious what sticks out in the memory of football fans these days.  But if the school isn’t careful, there’ll be one more thing that they’ll have to add to that list:

Perennial losers in marquee season openers.

Check VT’s recent history and you’ll see that in two out of the last three years the Hokies have suffered early season losses at the hands of the team that became the national champion.  Back in 2004, Virginia Tech opened their campaign with a 24-13 loss to Trojans of Southern California.  In their second game of the 2007 season, the Hokies took a trip down to Baton Rouge and got blasted by the Tigers 48-7.  And of course, last season, Tech’s much anticipated showdown with the Crimson Tide ended in a 34-24 defeat for Frank Beamer’s squad.

What about Boise State?  Well, they will be sending out a team with most of its critical players returning from last year.  And last year was one of great success in which the Broncos finished the year 14-0, concluding with a Fiesta Bowl victory over the TCU Horned Frogs. 

Now, many analysts feel that VT has the edge on BSU in the department of quality competition.  But while Tech has ample experience in participating in big-time out-of-conference tilts, it also has ample experience in losing in big-time out-of-conference tilts.  And until they can turn the corner, that advantage would seem to be null and void.

Michael Vick represents the VT squad that came the closest to capturing the ultimate prize in NCAA football.

Boise State will have the upper hand because their units remain virtually unchanged – so they have at least a year’s worth of chemistry in their favor.  The Boise State offense was brilliant in 2009, but can it stand the test of a usually aggressive Bud Foster defense?

Tech’s major hope will lie with Bud Foster, and his ability to control the Bronco offense with varying defensive looks.  The success or failure of the Hokies’ will rest strongly on the preparedness of the new defensive starters that Tech will be breaking in on Monday night.  Keeping the Bronco offense off of the gridiron means more time of possession for VT.  More time of possession means more time to beat up on the BSU defense with Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, arguably the top running back tandem in the country.  If the Hokies can accomplish this, then senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor should have the opportunity to burn the Bronco secondary with the occasional deep ball. 

That, admittedly, is a lot to ask.

On Monday night, a team is going to solidify its statement of being a national contender.  One team with prove that it is worthy of the praise that has been bestowed upon it.

And for Virginia Tech, it’s time for them to be that team.